{"id":152380,"date":"2011-03-15T23:23:42","date_gmt":"2011-03-16T04:23:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nicekicks.com\/?p=152380"},"modified":"2022-09-14T10:45:56","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T15:45:56","slug":"college-kicks-10-teams-to-watch-in-the-ncaa-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/college-kicks-10-teams-to-watch-in-the-ncaa-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"College Kicks: 10 Teams to Watch in the NCAA Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"
The big dance is set to begin, but what will the top teams and players be dancing in? While most teams have been outfitted in this season’s top performance models from Nike, adidas, and Jordan Brand, a group of teams have managed to stand out with their sneaker selection. We took a look at the top heat from the regular season and narrowed it down to 10 teams in the tourney with feet worthy of watching. Which team did it best? Who will cut down the nets? Tell us in the comment section.<\/p>\n
San Diego State Aztecs<\/h1>\n
West Region<\/strong> \n#2 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
Former Fab 5 Coach Steve Fisher has helped turn the Aztecs into one of the top teams in the country. Over the season the players have rocked a plethora of Air Jordans thanks to their convenient school colors. From Air Jordan 10 retros to the recent “Playoffs”, SDSU’s hoop squad has rocked it all and everything in between.<\/p>\nKawhi Leonard in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBilly White in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChase Tapley in the Air Jordan 9 "Charcoal"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKawhi Leonard in the Air Jordan 9 White\/Black-Red and Tim Shelton in the Nike Zoom Kobe V "Del Sol"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJamaal Franklin in the Air Jordan 10 White\/Red-Silver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBilly White in the Air Jordan 2010 "Silver Anniversary"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMalcolm Thomas in the Air Jordan 6 "Pistons"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChase Tapley in the Air Jordan 3 White\/Cement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMalcolm Thomas in the Air Jordan 11 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJamaal Franklin in the Air Jordan 11 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKawhi Leonard in the Air Jordan 3 White\/Cement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBilly White in the Air Jordan 14 "Black Toe"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKawhi Leonard in the Air Jordan 3 White\/Cement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBilly White in the Air Jordan 2 White\/Black-Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChase Tapley in the Air Jordan 6 White\/Varsity Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKawhi Leonard in the Air Jordan 9 White\/Black-Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBilly White in the Air Jordan 6 White\/Varsity Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChase Tapley and Billy White in the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 Kay Yow <\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJamaal Franklin of San Diego State in the Air Jordan 13 "Playoff"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
Arizona Wildcats<\/h1>\n
West Region<\/strong> \n#5 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
Arizona has a basketball program rich in sneaker history. From Mike Bibby’s Foamposites to Eugene Edgerson’s vault pulls, this year’s team sees much of the same with their own new flair. New releases like the Kobe VI have been a team favorite as have Jordan retros and OGs. Maybe their equipment room is all it’s cracked up to be…<\/p>\nMomo Jones in the Air Jordan 9 White\/Black-Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMomo Jones in the Air Jordan 7 "Olympic"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSolomon Hill in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSolomon Hill in the Air Jordan 15 Obsidian\/White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSolomon Hill in the Air Jordan 17 White\/College Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSolomon Hill in the Nike Air Max LeBron VII "Fairfax"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJamelle Horne in the Air Jordan 11 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJamelle Horne in the Nike LeBron 8 Black\/Red-White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDerrick Williams in the Nike LeBron 8 V2 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMomo Jones in the Air Jordan 7 "Raptor"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMomo Jones in the Air Jordan 9 "For the Love of the Game"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMomo Jones in the Air Jordan 13 "Flint"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKevin Parrom in the Air Jordan 13 White\/Red-Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKyryl Natyazhko in the Nike LeBron 7 PS and Derrick Williams in the Air Jordan 13 White\/Red-Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBrendon Lavender in the Air Jordan 13 "Playoff"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJesse Perry in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse, Kyle Fogg in the Air Jordan 6 "Oreo", and Solomon Hill and Lamont Jones in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI Grey\/Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDerrick Williams in the Nike Air Foamposite One "Dark Neon Royal"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJordin Mayes in the Air Jordan 10 "Linen"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Purdue Boilermakers are back to Big Dog status. After a devastating injury to Robbie Hummel the team has regrouped and come together to make it back to a high tourney seed. Zoom Kobe iD’s, Jordan retros, and LeBron sneakers have drawn attention to the program outside of West Lafayette. <\/p>\nKeaton Grant in the Air Jordan 6 "Oreo"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLewis Jackson in the Air Jordan 13 "Playoff"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLewis Jackson in the Air Jordan 12 "Taxi"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJaJuan Johnson in his Nike Zoom Kobe V iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJaJuan Johnson in his Nike Zoom Kobe V iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDJ Byrd in the Nike Zoom Kobe V Black\/White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLewis Jackson in the Nike LeBron 8 V2 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJaJuan Johnson in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
North Carolina Tar Heels<\/h1>\n
East Region<\/strong> \n#2 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
Michael Jordan’s alma mater has been outfitted, well, like Michael Jordan’s alma mater. Air Jordans, Team Jordans, and retros have all found their way onto to the talk of Chapel Hill. Lower cut models have become popular as well with the Jordan CP3.IV PE as a favorite and Harrison Barnes sticking with the Nike Zoom Kobe V.<\/p>\nJohn Henson in the Jordan CP3.IV UNC PE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJustin Watts in the Air Jordan 12 "Rising Sun"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLeslie McDonald in the Air Jordan 2 University Blue\/Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDexter Strickland in the Jordan CP3.IV UNC PE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHarrison Barnes in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI White\/Silver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDexter Strickland in the Jordan CP3.IV UNC PE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKendall Marshall in the Air Jordan 2010 Team UNC PE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
Washington Huskies<\/h1>\n
East Region<\/strong> \n#7 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
Isaiah Thomas may share the same name as a former Bad Boy but his sneaker game has been nice all season. Rocking retros, signatures, and various Jordans, little Zeke has kept it interesting by sporting releases from years past. His teammate Venoy Overton has done the same making us wonder if Nate Robinson is hooking up his lil’ bros.<\/p>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Nike Air Max Penny 1 Black\/Club Purple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVenoy Overton in the Nike Zoom Kobe IV iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVenoy Overton in the Air Jordan 8 "Aqua"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Nike Zoom LeBron III Black\/Gold<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Air Jordan 4 "Pure $"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Air Jordan 4 "Black Cat"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Air Jordan 10 "Linen"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Air Jordan 3 "Black History Month"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVenoy Overton in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsaiah Thomas in the Air Jordan 13 "Playoff"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMatthew Bryan-Amaning in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low Black\/Purple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Rock-chalk-Jayhawk is back as a top seed. Kansas has rose as one of the top adidas sponsored schools getting special team makeups of the Crazy 8 and standouts from the Team Signature line. The team has been showing school pride in both retro and new releases.<\/p>\nMarcus Morris in the adidas Crazy 8 White\/Blue-Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMarkieff Morris in the adidas TS Beast Commander Blue\/White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTyshawn Taylor in the adidas TS Lightspeed Kansas PE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Tyshawn Taylor in the adidas TS Lightning Creator Kansas PE<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n<\/p>\n
Syracuse Orange<\/h1>\n
East Region<\/strong> \n#3 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Big East has a history of great basketball and great kicks. Syracuse is always a standout in both with this year being no different. Scoop Jardine and friends have got it done this season in Jordans, Kobes, LeBrons, and some sharp iDs. We have to wonder if Melo will lace them with something nice for March.<\/p>\nKris Joseph in the Air Jordan 11 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine of Syracuse in the Air Jordan 6 "Defining Moments Package"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRick Jackson in the Air Jordan 2 Black\/White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine in the Air Jordan 11 "Defining Moments Package"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDion Walters in the Nike LeBron 8 V2 "Stoplight Pack"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDion Walters in the Nike Zoom Kobe V iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine's Nike Zoom Kobe V iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Sunset"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine in the Air Jordan 11 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nScoop Jardine in the Air Jordan 13 "Flint"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKris Joseph in the Nike Zoom KD III White\/Black-Orange<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
UCONN Huskies<\/h1>\n
West Region<\/strong> \n#3 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
Kemba Walker moves pretty fast so it’s hard to catch what’s on his feet. Fortunately some cameras have and what we’ve seen is an assortment of Jordan retros. UCONN has never been stranger to such and his teammates seem to be on the same page. Props to Shabazz Napier for flippin’ the “Orlando” Penny’s with red laces.<\/p>\nJamal Coombs-McDaniel in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI iD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRoscoe Smith in the Jordan Spizike Black\/White-Infrared <\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKemba Walker in the Air Jordan 11 "Cool Grey"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKemba Walker in the Air Jordan 11 Black\/Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nShabazz Napier in the Air Jordan 2 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKemba Walker in the Air Jordan 12 White\/Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nShabazz Napier in the Air Jordan 11 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\nShabazz Napier in the Air Jordan 2 University Blue\/Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nShabazz Napier in the Nike Air Max Penny 1 "Orlando"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDonnell Beverly in the Air Jordan 2011 Varsity Red\/White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKemba Walker in the Jordan 6-17-23 "Aqua"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKemba Walker in the Air Jordan 2 "Candy Pack" Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/p>\n
Duke Blue Devils<\/h1>\n
West Region<\/strong> \n#1 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n
Back in the early 90s the thought of Duke and sneaker steeze was laughable. Fast forward to 2011 and the team is getting hooked up with their own Kobes. The once thought to be conservative Blue Devils have taken a liking to the Black Mamba’s snake inspired sigs and have also showed love to KD.<\/p>\nNike Zoom Kobe V "Duke"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNolan Smith in the Nike Zoom KD III White\/Royal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCoach K in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low White\/Royal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNolan Smith in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Duke"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDuke in Various Nike Models<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKyle Singler in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Duke"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSeth Curry in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI Grey\/Royal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNolan Smith in the Nike Zoom KD III Black\/Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMason Plumlee in the Air Jordan 17 White\/College Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Rick Pitino’s Cardinals have seen the likes of the adiZero Rose and the Crazy 8 made up in their team colors. If readers have any questions as to how the Crazy 8s hold up on court Louisville’s performance with their punishing full court press should answer that. <\/p>\nCJ Fair in the adidas adiPure Black\/White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTerrence Jennings in the adidas adiZero Rose White\/Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKyle Kuric in the adidas adiZero Rose Black\/Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPeyton Siva in the adidas Crazy 8 Red\/Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nStephan Van Treese in the adidas adiPure Red\/Black<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n