Carrier Classic: The Best Sights and Sounds of North Carolina's Victory

North Carolina's convincing 67-55 win over Michigan State in Friday's inaugural Carrier Classic was, in a word, perfect.

Though the contest was the season opener for both teams, the contest played more like a bowl game exhibition than a college basketball match.

With the USS Carl Vinson docked in beautiful Coronado, California, two storied collegiate teams settled in for a completely astonishing basketball game.

The game itself wasn't exactly a nail-biter, with North Carolina putting the game away for good late in the first half.

Though the contest itself featured some wild rebounds, dunks and blocks, this game—nay, this event—represented something so much more.

Playing in front of a primarily-armed forces audience—including the President of the United States—this simple season opener between two teams east of the Mississippi was America's game on Veterans Day.

Let's review this spectacular night of pageantry and basketball through some of the best sights and sounds from the USS Carl Vinson on 11/11/11.

Transforming the USS Carl Vinson, Time Lapse Video

An active aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson went through a huge remodeling process in order to feature a basketball game.

The US Navy took a series of time lapse photographs over the course of eight days during the transformation of the Carl Vinson's flight deck from an active runway to a basketball arena.

This video is the edited product of their photographs and is incredibly impressive.

Sight of the Site: An Unbelievable Setting

When photographer Ezra Shaw snapped this picture, he made sure to depict the sheer magnitude that is the USS Carl Vinson and the great might of the United States Navy.

North Carolina is seen here during a pre-game shoot-around. The stands are empty, giving this photograph a hauntingly poignant glimpse at the contrast between sports and military power.

This photograph alone provided a great sense of excitement and anticipation at what was yet to come.

One Picture to Say It All: The Best Audience in the World

When those stands finally did fill up, they were comprised of our military men and women, the best of the best.

The inaugural Carrier Classic was a perfect game for Veterans Day, honoring our heroes in uniform by treating them to the most exciting basketball experience of this early 2011-2012 NCAA season.

Fortunately for the Classic's organizers, the men and women in attendance seemed to be having an incredible time taking in this most wonderfully peculiar of basketball games. 

The ESPN camera operators did a great job during the game, ensuring their cameras were panned out wide enough to keep these unique basketball fans in-frame throughout the entire game.

Vital Sounds: Presidential Pre-Game Address

While some would say this speech ran too long or was too preachy, President Barack Obama's pre-game address was perfect on this special Veterans Day.

11-11-11 was a day of brilliant celebration and spectacle, but most importantly it was a day to pause, remember and honor our military veterans.

When the Carrier Classic producers yielded the floor to our Commander in Chief, they made a great move in uniting basketball fans, military servicepersons and Americans everywhere.

For the men and women who serve and fight for our freedom, NCAA basketball could not have devised a tribute any more special than President Obama's presence and powerful speech before the day's basketball game.

Legendary: A Treat for All

From Magic Johnson to James Worthy, there clearly was no shortage of NBA and celebrity greats in attendance during the Carrier Classic.

Those serving had the privilege of meeting the basketball legends while the NBA icons enjoyed the even greater privilege of making the acquaintance of our military men and women.

Friday was a great night for everyone onboard the USS Carl Vinson and everyone in attendance was thrilled that each and everyone else on that vessel was able to be there.

Reflection, Honor and Remembrance

Veterans Day is a to honor and remember those who have served.

In Washington, D.C., the United States Department of Veterans Affairs marks this day of distinction by remembering those who have paid the ultimate price defending our freedom.

From this iconic ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery to the various rituals and cavalcades throughout the nation, we pause to reflect and pay tribute.

Veterans Day reminds us to always remember.

Three Good Men: Choosing the Right People for the Job

Pictured just to the right of President and Mrs. Obama are the three officials who were assigned to work Friday's Carrier Classic.

For college basketball referees James Breeding, Michael Reed and Tony Greene, this assignment was a special treat. All three men are military veterans making them the perfect choice for this iconic Veterans Day game.

Sometimes we forget that veterans go into all lines of work. From banker to barber or teacher to tailor, veterans come back home and often find themselves in civilian roles.

For veterans Breeding, Reed and Greene, that choice was refereeing and for the NCAA, selecting these three men to call the Carrier Classic was an outstandingly great call.

Forever Golden: The Opening Tip

With the players ready to go and the fans on the edge of their seats, the inaugural Carrier Classic finally was underway with a perfect opening jump ball.

This elevated photograph from behind the backboard captured a special moment and made it forever timeless.

Tar Hells guard Kendall Marshall (No. 5 in the foreground) conveys our collective excitement and pride in an incredibly significant game. The sheer joy he conveys with his stance just above the free throw line is an embodiment of everything that is right with America and basketball.

Incredible: Beautiful Weather for a Significant Game

Earlier this week, the Military Times reported that inclement weather might force the Carrier Classic indoors to the USS Carl Vinson's massive hangar bay.

Fortunately, Mother Nature cooperated and produced weather so picture perfect, it would not be believable if not for the countless photographs and videos taken during this great event.

This photograph truly conveys sentiments of the opening phrase of America the Beautiful: Oh beautiful for spacious skies.

The skies above Coronado on Friday were the most beautiful and picturesque they could have possibly been, literally capping off a flawless Veterans Day classic.

We Are One: A Perfect Jersey

Beginning Sunday at North Carolina-Asheville, the Tar Heels No. 40 jersey will belong to forward Harrison Barnes.

Last night, No. 40—and indeed all jerseys—belonged to America, to all of us.

In a fitting homage to Veterans Day, both the Michigan State University Spartans and North Caroline Tar Heels wore these fashionably service-themed jerseys.

With a distinctive blue camouflage pattern, North Carolina was able to keep its trademark argyle side panels, all while standing in solidarity with MSU in replacing each players name with the epithet, "U.S.A."

On Friday night, there weren't ten players from two schools playing on an aircraft carrier; there were ten men honoring their country by putting on a show for veterans and Americans everywhere.

Lights On: A Brilliant Display

Go back to the first slide of this show and come back here, I'll wait.

Notice the two photographs, taken from the same location at different times of twilight.

The synchrony of sunset and illumination of man-made light is utterly amazing. As the pink and purple skies faded to black, the picturesque scene shifted from up in the clouds above to down on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson.

The temporarily converted aircraft carrier was truly a sight to behold throughout the festivities on Friday night.

Freeze Frame: Dunk of All Slam Dunks

This is what basketball is all about.

Tar Heels forward John Henson is having the time of his life as he dunks the ball during a perfect night near San Diego.

Henson played 31 minutes, contributing 12 points to North Carolina's winning effort.

Yet throughout Henson's time on the floor, perhaps no play was as special as this one, brilliantly captured by photographer Harry How.

The best of the best were truly on the USS Carl Vinson Friday night. With this one exceptional photograph of a college athlete having good, old fashioned fun during a basketball game, How once again proves why he's one of the best.

No. 1 Wins: Minor Reward for Tremendous Honor

When North Carolina won the inaugural Carrier Classic 67-55, they won more than just a season-opening basketball game.

Playing in the first ever NCAA basketball game contested on an active aircraft carrier, both UNC and runner-up Michigan State University put on a wonderful show on a wonderful night.

Coming out of this first ever Carrier Classic, some fans may praise forward Harrison Barnes for his 17-point performance to lead all scorers. Some fans might marvel at Spartans forward Draymond Green's spectacular 18 rebounds.

In the end, those who watched the Tar Heels play the Spartans on the USS Carl Vinson will come away with a renewed sense of patriotism, pride and a renewed sense of duty to honor those who have served.

Final Photo: The Inaugural Carrier Classic

To end the slideshow, this is a final look back at Friday night's iconic scene on the USS Carl Vinson.

The basketball game below pales in comparison to the massive height of the vessel's iconic island.

Yet for all their size discrepancies, it is delightfully obvious that the USS Carl Vinson and the collegiate basketball contest being played below gel quite well together—their disparity forms a wonderful mold.

And so goes the inaugural Carrier Classic. After such a wonderful experience this year in kicking off the 2011-2012 basketball season, one can't help but feel just as excited about the second Carrier Classic as about the possibilities during 2012's March Madness.