Participants for the 2013 Carrier Classic Announced

(Credit: AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans)

Last year, the Carrier Classic was an absolute rip-roaring success. Michigan State and North Carolina duked it out on the USS Carl Vinson in Conorado, California. This season, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Marquette Golden Eagles will be facing off against each other on the USS Yorktown in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. And today, the participants have reportedly been announced for the 2013 Carrier Classic. 

If you're thinking that it's just going to be two teams though, you might be in for a surprise. 

The Kentucky Wildcats, Texas Longhorns, North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Missouri Tigers are four participants that were announced according to an unnamed source of SNY.tv, according to ZagsBlog. That source also is indicating that the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Davidson Wildcats, Florida State Seminoles and Gonzaga Bulldogs will also be taking part in the event.

The indication is that the games will be played at multiple sites across the country. ZagsBlog is saying that the games may take place on the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, Texas, USS Yorktown in South Carolina, as well as in San Diego on the USS Midway. ZagsBlog also says that New Orleans may host an aircraft carrier as well.

Frankly, for all involved, this is looking like an awesome spectacle. I'm certain that each of these teams involved will all be very good, so they certainly will bring the goods in terms of quality of play. I do not personally see there being anything wrong with expansion for this event and it could become a staple for the tipoff of college basketball's regular season.