The Craziest Places To Play a College Basketball Game

North Carolina and Michigan State will honor our nation's veterans by playing a college basketball game on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, a 1,092-foot-long aircraft carrier, docked off the shore of San Diego, California. 

Building a 7,000-seat open-air arena for a college basketball game to be played on the deck of a naval aircraft carrier on Veterans Day is, quite possibly, the coolest thing in the history of college sports.

But is it the coolest place we could ever see a game played? Let's have some fun as we think of some other cool—perhaps cooler—basketball venues.

1. The Statue of Liberty

Based on the ground in front of the Statue of Liberty, there is ample room for a basketball court to be laid down. If the Carrier Classic goes off well, one has to imagine that a game on the base of the Statue of Liberty would be on the short list of American destinations.

An outdoor game in the New York market would be huge, but putting it on Ellis Island would make it even bigger. Having said that, the timing may not work, as the New York area is not exactly weather-friendly during basketball season.

Perhaps a summer exhibition game would work best. Or the Winter Classic, NHL.

2. Dubai

If they can put a tennis court on top of a hotel in Dubai, they can certainly put a basketball court. I assume they'd have to put some kind of netting behind the backboard, but I'm more of an ideas guy, not an engineer.

3. Cowboys Stadium

Since the Carrier Classic is being played on Veterans Day, I thought we could figure out other holidays that can host big games in unique destinations.

Since Cowboys Stadium is being used on Thanksgiving, why not capitalize on the number of fans already in attendance by hosting a basketball game there as well?

Now, you can't exactly put a basketball court on the football field while the game is going on, so I thought we could put the court on top of the scoreboard and play the games simultaneously.

Yes, I assume it would cost two admissions. Sorry.

4. The North Pole

Okay it might be a little cold and a little hard to get to, but it would be really neat to host a Christmas Day game at the North Pole. Try to top THAT, David Stern.

Santa, of course, would have to referee the game. After all, he already knows who is bad or good.

5. The End of the Rainbow

A St. Patrick's Day extravaganza at the end of the rainbow. Now, if this game were to happen, we'd have to be able to know where rainbows will happen, which is impossible (and part of the magic of a rainbow in the first place). 

If this were to happen, there is no way Notre Dame doesn't end up in the game.

6. Under Water

If they can host a game ON the water, why not a game UNDER the water?

Dribbling might be an issue.

7. On the Moon

Doesn't the space program need a little boost? What the Carrier Classic is doing for the veterans is incredible, so why not branch out and try to help the dwindling space program?

Seriously, think of the dunks.