Players and staff of the Vanderbilt Commodores, Marquette Golden Eagles, and Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball teams participated in a guided tour of the U.S. Naval Academy Nov. 10.

The teams are in town for the 3rd annual Veterans Classic, which will be held in Alumni Hall Nov. 11.

The tours provided a view into the training midshipmen receive at USNA, as well as some of the equipment they will operate when they enter the fleet as junior officers. The group toured through USNA's yard patrol craft; Luce Hall, where they were able to see the indoor bridge training simulator; and Farragut Field, where both air and ground military vehicles were on display.

"The campus here is just beautiful," said Ohio State Forward Jae'Sean Tate. "It was a really fun experience with the [bridge] simulator. I started getting a little seasick in there. It's just a great feeling being here; just to be able to come down here is a blessing."

After the tour the group witnessed Noon Meal, where the Brigade of Midshipmen forms up in their companies and marches into King Hall. The group then sat down for lunch with the midshipmen.

"It's very impressive," said Vanderbilt Guard Nolan Cressler. "I think the most impressive thing is the respect each of the [midshipmen] seem to have for each other and their superiors."

The two-game, four-team event is a tribute to all veterans who are serving or have served their country.

"We're definitely excited to play," said Cressler. "I think the Veterans Classic is a good opportunity to bring attention to [USNA] and to those who serve in the military and defend our freedom."

The USNA's men's basketball team will open the 2016-17 basketball season against Ohio State beginning at 9:00 PM (ET). That game will be preceded by Vanderbilt versus Marquette at 6:30 PM (ET). Both games will be televised on CBS Sports Network. The Veterans Classic is presented by Northwestern Mutual.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/.