Obama to attend Michigan State-North Carolina game on aircraft carrier

President Barack Obama is presented with a plaque of a bracket by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski at the White House.

The first major college basketball game on an aircraft carrier will have a distinguished guest.

President Barack Obama will attend the Carrier Classic between Michigan State and North Carolina, which will take place Nov. 11 on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego.

A noted basketball fan, Obama has filled out and publicized his NCAA tournament bracket in recent years. He also served as a guest commentator for a short time during a Georgetown-Duke game last year. And his brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is the coach of Oregon State.

"We're honored that President Obama plans to attend the game on the Carl Vinson," said Rear Admiral Dennis Moynihan, the Navy's chief spokesman. "The ship is a representative of more than 100 Navy ships that are deployed right now. We see this as a celebration of service for all veterans, and we also see this as a great opportunity to showcase what our Navy does on a daily basis."

Seating roughly 7,000 people will be built for the game on the deck of the ship. Most of the tickets will be given to servicemen.

James Worthy of North Carolina and Magic Johnson of Michigan State will serve as honorary captains for their respective schools.