OT-Carrier Classic

Submitted by g_reaper3 on
The wife works at Quicken Loans which enabled a free trip to San Diego to theCarrier Classic. Went to the official pre-party tonight. Pretty impressive event. Several Navy guys gave impressive speeches on all the operations going on. Really made me feel guilty about all they do without much gratitude. Also, while I almost hate to admit it, Izzo really seems like a class guy. Roy Williams as well. It would really be awesome if Michigan could get into this event in the future. Anyways, every should be thankful for our military tomorrow (and every day).

Space Coyote

November 11th, 2011 at 12:45 AM ^

I know for a fact that this event has been in the works between MSU and UNC for over 5 years.  It came out to the public sometime last year.  That's how long it takes to get something like this set up.  Pretty ridiculous idea, and most likely will be a sloppy game because of the surroundings (puts a little damper on it), but in my mind it's still pretty cool too.  It's like one of those movies that are completely unbelievable but you don't care because it's badass.

Look Up_See Blue

November 11th, 2011 at 12:42 AM ^

My brother had a layover in San Diego today and mentioned that it was a little chilly out there.  I wonder how weather may or may not be a factor in this game.  I'm sure they'll have some sort of portable heating court-level.  Plus, its usually pretty breezy on the ocean.  I bet the game starts off with some bad shooting until the players get more comfortable in the elements.

Space Coyote

November 11th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^

They always talk about how playing in football stadiums makes basketball players shooting worse because of the way the background looks.  This is going to be even worse, plus there will be unsteady winds.  The shooting is going to be bad all around, but I think the idea is unique and exciting enough that it doesn't matter as a one time thing.  I just hope this doesn't become a annual thing.  Basketball on an aircraft carrier isn't like playing hockey outside.

Look Up_See Blue

November 11th, 2011 at 12:57 AM ^

Yeah I agree.  Perhaps the setting itself will probably trump the actual entertainment coming from the court.  But I think basketball involves so much in terms of tempo and rhythm.  I think the 1st half will be everyone trying to figure out how to play in that setting, low-scoring and then a more entertaining 2nd half.

WingsNWolverines

November 11th, 2011 at 12:49 AM ^

Never mind just found out more about it on ESPN.com! Looks incredibly cool how they set the court up on deck!

mikoyan

November 11th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^

Everything I've read about it calls it more of a controlled crash than a landing.   I remember reading about a study they conducted during the Vietnam War where they wired up some Aviators and found they were under the most stress during the landing.  So yeah, it's pretty cool.

bighouseinmate

November 11th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^

I would have a concern about the players getting knocked off the actual court though. The flight deck of aircraft carriers have a roughly pebbled surface to them that could cause severe "road rash" if a player falls on it. I'm thinking about those falls out of bounds at the ends of the courts players always get involved in. Overall, though, pretty cool setup.

Bosch

November 11th, 2011 at 7:29 AM ^

The weather and the surroundings are going to change the complexity of this game.  It's not like playing in a gym.  It may end up that MSU is able to make the necessary adjustments while UNC struggles.

Going into the game, it is easy to say that MSU benefits more from the uncertainty of the conditions that UNC.

thisisme08

November 11th, 2011 at 9:03 AM ^

I love the fact the tickets are only for serviceman/women but srlsy on a carrier??? This is so Lebron 2010 Decision gimmicky but whatever I guess. Just hope UNC wins.

Feat of Clay

November 11th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^

I used to think Izzo was very classy; the one guy affiliated with MSU sports I could respect, straight up. 

But I thought he came off like a whiny little bitch after last year's loss to U-M, saying Morris deserved to have Lucas throw the ball at him because he went for a layup and talked smack, etc etc  I mean, come on.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

November 11th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^

One thing I wanna put out there: this is being hailed as an event to honor servicemembers, and there will be a lot of that going on.  From a practical standpoint, though.....this probably sucks for the Vinson crew.  I mean sucks.  I hope there's at least maybe a public thank-you during the event for the ship's crewmembers.

BRCE

November 11th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^

They're in port. It's not like the game is interrupting business-as-usual.

That's what makes this so incredibly gimmicky. You want to have a game for U.S. service people? Cool. Play it in a gym and only sell tickets to the military. It's not like they are going out to the middle of the ocean to entertain sailors who are battling bored at sea.

Hollis is a complete ass.