Obama watches No. 1 Tar Heels beat Spartans 67-55

Posted: 11.12.2011 at 12:08 AM

      CORONADO, Calif. - With President Barack Obama watching
from midcourt, No. 1 North Carolina beat Michigan State 67-55 on
Friday night in the Carrier Classic on the flight deck of the USS
Carl Vinson.
      Harrison Barnes scored 17 points and John Henson had 12 points
and a career-high nine blocked shots as the Tar Heels put their
size advantage to good use. Michigan State's Draymond Green had 18
rebounds.
      Fitting with the Veterans Day theme, the Tar Heels and Spartans
had U.S.A. rather than their names on the back of their jerseys,
which had a camouflage design. At dusk, the game was paused for the
lowering of the American flag. The players gave their jerseys to
servicemen after the game.
      Obama watched intently, chatted with wife Michelle and service
members seated near him, and at one point appeared to check his
BlackBerry. When the game ended, he applauded and then shook hands
with coaches Roy Williams and Tom Izzo.
      North Carolina has beaten Michigan State six straight times,
including in the 2009 national championship game.