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This year’s Carrier Classic is now a doubleheader

NCAA Final Four Kansas Ohio St Basketball

Ohio State head coach Thad Matta calls out to an official during the second half of an NCAA Final Four semifinal college basketball tournament game against Kansas Saturday, March 31, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

AP

The Carrier Classic that was originally just Ohio State and Marquette will now have a second game, and some added star power at that.

Both Ohio State basketball teams are now playing on the USS Yorktown in Charleston Harbor, with the women taking on Notre Dame.

Muffet McGraw’s Fighting Irish are led by senior point guard Skylar Diggins, and they’ll likely be the choice behind Baylor when it comes to discussing who has the best shot of dethroning the reigning national champions.

After last season’s event, featuring Michigan State and North Carolina, was a success more aircraft carrier games (and UConn taking on Michigan State on a military base in Germany) hit the market.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the 2012 Carrier Classic,” Ohio State men’s head coach Thad Matta said in a statement released by the school.

“This is a fantastic chance for both of our basketball programs to participate in something that is more than just a basketball game.

“It is a chance to honor the men and women who have made sacrifices for each one of us. This is another experience our student-athletes will always remember from their time at The Ohio State University.”

The three organizations that will benefit from the Carrier Classic are the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Museum and the Wounded Warrior Project.

So even with the loss of creativity due to the number of games, at least there’s the chance to donate to a worthy cause.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.