President Obama doubtful for Carrier Classic

It's the cool new thing to tip-off the college basketball season. Why play hoops inside when you can instead play on a boat? Aside from some wind and small amounts of moisture on the court last year's Carrier Classic between North Carolina and Michigan State was quite a show. And Ohio State and Marquette's players will remember this Friday's game for the rest of their lives.

But putting hard basketball news aside, the most important fan from a year ago might be absent. Marquette confirmed on Monday that President Obama has indeed been invited to attend the second annual Carrier Classic (duh!) set for Friday night on the USS Yorktown just outside Charleston, S.C.. There has been no confirmation that he'll be able to attend and looking at the week he has ahead of him he has to be listed as "Doubtful" at best.

Shoot, if the Redskins rule has any say Obama won't even be the first basketball fan for much longer. So there's a good chance that the days of Obama filling out his bracket and doing a Final Four segment with former Buckeye Clark Kellogg are over.

Either way Ohio State and Marquette will be a part of a college basketball spectacle. And the weather is supposed to cooperate, currently showing no chance of rain and highs in the high 60s.

I still think they need to get real street ball hoops out there with super tight rims and chain-link nets.

Follow Tim Hall on Twitter @TimHall971