In conjunction with Comcast Corp., ESPN and MSU invited participants had the opportunity to watch the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic, matching MSU and Syracuse, in 3-D. About 75 people took in the experience at the Riverside Room inside Kellogg Center, including former MSU basketball players David Thomas and Andre Hutson.

“It’s something that, before not too long ago, recently you would only be able to see (3-D) in movie theaters, and now with all of the innovation and investment and the technology now it’s coming to our televisions,” said Larry Williamson, area vice president for Comcast in West Michigan.

Two televisions were set up to show the game in ESPN high-definition and two more were synced up to ESPN3D.

“We actually have to have a separate crew on sight for every event that we do, separate production, separate cameras and all of the producers and directors in the 3-D truck actually have to wear the glasses throughout the entire telecast,” said Jodi McCulloch, senior account executive for Disney and ESPN media networks.

I was able to get my hands on a pair, and no, these weren’t the flimsy makeshift glasses you can pull out of a magazine.

Watching the first few minutes of the game in 3-D was spectacular. Not only was the clarity of the game even stronger than high-def, but different camera angles were used to provide an even more unique perspective on the game.

MSU senior guard Durrell Summers hit a 3-point shot about a minute into the game and the camera angle made me feel like I was courtside. I almost pulled a Spike Lee and put my hand out for Summers to high-five.

Lansing resident Andrew Bush felt the same way.

“It’s like you’re right there, you can reach out and touch the players,” he said.

In the second half, my amazement continued. The angle often gave me the feeling of sitting in the sixth or seventh row of Madison Square Garden. The depth perception of where players are relative to each other definitely is more evident in 3-D, but what I found most impressive was the camera angles and how that helped reach the full potential of showing a game in 3-D.

McCulloch said ESPN has committed to showing 100 events in 3-D in the first year, this being the first year. Comcast and ESPN also teamed up to show the 2010 Masters Tournament and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in 3-D. McCulloch said people have taken their time to pick up the new programming.

“It’s been a little slow for adoption purposes — a lot due to the cost of the televisions — but as the costs start to come down, I think people are really going to catch on,” she said.

Williamson said the overall consensus from Comcast customers has been positive.

“The feedback is, ‘Wow.’ Kind of that wow factor where people really do like it and as they buy 3-D televisions, there’s more and more interest generated and the request for programming,” he said.

Hutson spent most of the first half checking out the new technology and came away impressed, although he thought there wasn’t much of a difference between 3-D and HD.

“I probably plan on having one of these in my household in the next year or so,” he said. “I know (3-D has) been out there for a while and this is really my first 3-D experience probably since I was a little kid. ”

I feel 3-D definitely has an upside in enhancing sports entertainment and has the potential to make big games even bigger. Literally.

Jason Pearson is a State News staff writer. He can be reached at pears154@msu.edu.