Get ready for a new round of Nike unis and shoes for NCAA tourney

[RyGuy45]

May have been posted, but announced yesterday:

Nike Outfits NCAA Basketball Teams for Battle with Innovative Uniform System
10 March, 2009

Select Teams Feature New Nike Pro Combat, Aerographic Jerseys and Custom Hyperdunks During Tournament Action



BEAVERTON, Ore. (March 10, 2009) - NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today introduced the ultimate apparel system for select college teams as they march into tournament madness with superior innovation from head to toe.

After enduring five months of intense competition, today's elite collegiate basketball players are battle tested. With the style of play evolving each season, Nike is introducing a 360 degree approach complete with new base layer apparel, unique uniforms and customized footwear. This approach meets the evolving needs for players demanding superior performance with a distinct look.

Nike Pro Combat Introduced

As the leader in base layer apparel innovation, Nike will outfit Duke University, Gonzaga University, The University of Memphis, Michigan State University and University of Oregon in customized Nike Pro Combat. Nike Pro Combat is ergonomically designed to provide basketball-specific protective padding without restricting mobility on the court for maximum performance.

"College basketball is a tremendously quick and physical game, and Nike is committed to giving student athletes the best gear for battle," said Nike Sport Apparel and Innovation Creative Director Todd Van Horne. "Nike Pro Combat reflects the evolution of the game and provides our college teams with quality base layer apparel they need for their tournament runs in March."

The Nike Pro Combat Deflex short provides padding over the hip and thigh, and the Nike Pro Combat Deflex elbow pad provides superior protection. Both the shorts and sleeve will showcase vibrant team colors for each of the aforementioned schools. Nike is unveiling this special edition Nike Pro Combat visual color scheme that is custom designed for each school beginning for their conference tournament.

Uniforms Evolve in March

For the first time ever, these five schools will also wear distinct Aerographic jerseys during their respective conference tournaments and run for the national championship. Using Nike Aerographic technology, an engineered mesh providing zoned cooling and dramatically reducing the fabric density, the weight of the jersey is reduced by 31 percent compared to current uniforms.

"Our new Aerographic jerseys combine superior fabrics and breakthrough graphics for a look we're excited to bring to college hoops during the tournament frenzy," said Eric Lautenbach, Nike, Inc. Director of College Basketball.

The Aerographic jerseys debuted on the USA Senior National Team during the 2008 Olympic Games. An exclusively designed "We the People" graphic, inspired by USA's rich history, was showcased on the back of the jersey.

The five NCAA team jerseys are designed to reflect the unique identity of each university. These design patterns allow more ventilation in the burn-out mesh application.

Duke University: With gothic architectural inspiration, this design was inspired by the Duke Chapel, a major campus icon that speaks to the heritage of the university. It also includes a rendition of the original Duke crest. Duke will be wearing this jersey in conference tournament action.

Gonzaga University: The spiked collar of Gonzaga's bulldog mascot inspired the circular spiked design while the school's commitment to rise to the occasion led to a symbol of prosperity running vertically at the top. "Go Zags" is the design's centerpiece.

The University of Memphis: Dynamic tiger stripes representing the boldness of the mascot inspire this jersey design. The team's "refuse to lose" quote is abbreviated and included at the center of this design.

Michigan State University: Spartan battle armor inspired the dynamic pattern running throughout this jersey while the Michigan State logo forms the foundation. An ancient Greek shield design surrounds the Michigan State logo.

University of Oregon: Grid pattern detail throughout represents the trusses in the roof on U of O's Mac Court while the beams of the roof run vertically. The iconic Oregon "O" is the design's centerpiece.

Custom Designed Hyperdunks Unveiled

To bring the look full circle, each of these five teams went from the backboard to the drawing board by joining NIKEiD for one-of-a-kind shoe design sessions. The student athletes worked closely with NIKEiD designers to create a look that captures the essence of their program.

The Nike Hyperdunk has ushered in a new era of superior, lightweight design. Featuring Flywire, a performance architecture that uses thin and very strong nylon fibers to support the foot, the Hyperdunk is a favorite shoe among Nike's college teams.

This NIKEiD design sessions marked the first time Nike allowed collegiate teams total control over customizing their own team basketball shoes. The design potential was extensive, and players showcased their creativity and team identity. Fans of each school can replicate their team's design beginning March 10 at NIKEiD.com.

The combination of the Nike Pro Combat, Aerographic jerseys and custom Hyperdunks combine for an unbeatable triple threat for March.


Pics:

Duke
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65516705@N00/sets/72157615080724016/show/

Michigan State
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65516705@N00/sets/72157615007410857/show/

Memphis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65516705@N00/sets/72157615080760488/show/

Gonzaga
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65516705@N00/sets/72157615007419759/show/

Oregon (no shoe pics)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3345466662_29690fc8b4_b.jpg

UConn (no jersey pics)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3345468616_1758cfa58c_b.jpg

 

[al3xis]

I like em..

 

[freakydestroyer]

I like last years better, too bad Duke didn't get to advance to wear their Kobe IIIs

 

[kb8sandiego]

I'm with it.

 

[ryda421]

 

[mben32]

UConn Hyperdunks>>>*

Those Jersey/Sneaker combos got too much going on for me

 

[noneofyours25]

Those Uconn hyperdunks are clean

If MJ wore those his career would had lasted longer

 

[vctry20]

Uconn's are very clean

I'm feeling Oregon's, pretty subtle difference

Gonzaga....too much

Hasn't the Nike Combat been out since the olympics?

 

[gunna get it]

Just when I was startin to dig system of Dress they try and switch things up.

Oregon's is Hot

but Im still stuck on UofA's All Whites

 

[aepps20]

These are nice

State's are

 

[vctry20]

[img]http://media.wwd.com/images/pr...9/03/10/landscape/01-large/aeromesh.jpg[/img] http://

 

[downyboy]

like the jerseys, shoes are a bit overboard.

 

[kdawg]

Far too much going on on the shoes but the uniforms are okay - Duke is especially clean.

 

[drunken cow]

Shoes are horrible.

 

[lnmymind]

Will Oregon even get an NIT invite?

 

[alleniversonfan01]

Im feelin the Jerseys and thank god Uconn doesnt have any goofy !+%# on the toe box like the rest of the teams. Are they still gonna be the leotard tops withextremely large shorts still

 

[vctry20]

Originally Posted by lnMyMind

Will Oregon even get an NIT invite?

thats what I was wondering

I was thinking "damn I better make an effort to watch their 1 game in the Pac 10 tourney

I'm sure everyone will be rocking this #%#! next season

 

[johnnyredstorm]

The shoes are a cool concept.

 

[kiddin like jason]

The Gonzaga jersey isn't real, right?

I don't like any of it.

 

[specialed88]

Nike needs to release those SOD Memphis shorts already.

 

[jonfarr]

Thats funny Oregon is listed even tho they were knocked out of the Tourney even before conference play started...

 

[bjamez20]

again?

 

[retrorod45]

I like the jerseys but the shoes are some what OD, for the fans shoes are cool but the players dont need all that bs.

 

[39478]

Originally Posted by JONFARR

Thats funny Oregon is listed even tho they were knocked out of the Tourney even before conference play started...

I thought that was funny too...

And no, they will not begetting an NIT invite haha

But I really like the unis (all of them).

 

[N41D]

Not feelin those at all... Awful.