We’ve seen it before. Now, we need to see it again.
There have been four college basketball games on aircraft carriers, and Mid-Major Madness fans voted that college hoops needs to return there.
An aircraft carrier received 33% of the votes in last week’s Mid-Major Reacts poll. New York City had a good showing by taking the next two spots. Rucker Park came in second with 27%. Arthur Ashe Stadium tallied 20%. Churchill Downs received 13%, and the White House Lawn nabbed the final 7%.
The first aircraft
carrier game was in 2011 between North Carolina and Michigan State. The top-ranked Tar Heels won 67-55, with 17 points from Harrison Barnes and 12 points from John Henson. Draymond Green had a career-high 18 rebounds. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended the game on the USS Carl Vinson near San Diego.
The only mid-major team to play on an aircraft carrier was San Diego State, which lost to No. 9 Syracuse, 62-49, the following season. C.J. Fair and Michael Carter-Williams paced the Orange with 17. Fair also pulled down 10 boards, and Brandon Triche added 15 points. Jamaal Franklin was the only Aztec in double figures with 11.
The same season had the first women’s game on an aircraft carrier that same year. Notre Dame defeated Ohio State in a ranked battle on the USS Yorktown in Charleston, S.C. Natalie Achonwa’s double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds led the Fighting Irish, while Kayla McBride contributed 16 points, and Skylar Diggins added 11. Tayler Hill scored 18 points for the Buckeyes.
The Carrier Classic returned after a 10-year absence when Gonzaga edged Michigan State, 64-63, in November 2022. Drew Timme powered the Zags with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Julian Strawther contributed 13, and Nolan Hickman added 10. The Spartans had four players in double figures: Mady Sissiko (14), Tyson Walker (12), A.J. Hoggard (12) and Malik Hall (11).
When will see the next aircraft carrier game? Who knows, but we’re due.
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