Semester Grade:<\/strong> C<\/p>\nMizzou is quietly having a great season. They have also rocked impressive kicks in the first semester. Their black and gold team colors lends themselves well to the Nike Basketball “Elite” Collection. However, Jordan Brand has made them a top ten College Kicks On Court squad with Laurence Bowers sporting the Air Jordan 6 “GMP,” and a multitude of Jordan CP3.VIs in team colors. A secret weapon popped up when Tony Criswell wore the rarely seen Nike Air Max Sweep Thru. The diversity of kicks makes the Tigers a team worth looking for next semester.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Florida Gators<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> C<\/p>\nEver since they won back to back NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007, the Florda Gator swagger has increased as they all but equaled the gridiron passion at the university. No player embodies that added flair like Kenny Boynton. He daringly rocked the Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Bright Crimson” during their very first game. The game was cut short, but you could tell it would be a hot year for the squad. The Nike Hyperfuse 2012 “Carrier Classic” PEs made for them employ digi-camo motif that pops on camera, and players have also worn Air Jordan 10 “Old Royal” and Air Jordan 4 “Military Blue” on court. The style is not limited to the court, however, as Billy Donovan coached the shortened first game in the Nike Special Field Boot. The Gators are a great team, and Boynton is undoubtedly the star of their Kicks on Court.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wichita State Shockers<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> B-<\/p>\nThe Wichita State Shockers are no strangers to bracket busting. They have made memorable runs through the NCAA tournament a few times in the last few years. In our case, the Midwest crew has brought heavy footwear to the court this year. Cleanthony Early started the season off hot with a pair of Air Jordan 3 black\/cement, and the team rocked a number of Air Jordans in recent games, including the Air Jordan 6 “Infrared”, and the rarely seen Nike Air Max CB34. Wichita State always contends for a conference title, and subsequent tournament bid. Their array of shoes may have a larger stage to display if their history of success holds true.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
St. John’s Red Storm<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> B<\/p>\nThough diversity helped Missouri crack the list, it’s actually uniformity that boosted the Red Storm’s grade. The team took the NikeiD route to create custom Nike Zoom Kobe VII sneakers. Basketball players use sneakers as their one display of individuality, but the squad from Queens decide to show solidarity by all rocking the same iD versions of the Kobe VII in separate games this season. Basketball is all about team, and St. John’s deserved to be rewarded for their dedication to that concept, and no player wearing in-line sneakers.<\/p>\n
.<\/p>\n
Duke Blue Devils<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong>?B+<\/p>\nLove them or hate them, the Duke Blue Devils are one of the best programs in the country. From the looks of it, they have some of the best kicks, too. Seth Curry set the pace by being the first player not named LeBron James to take the court in the Nike LeBron X+. The latest LeBron signature has been a favorite for Curry, as he has rocked an iD version and the “Black Diamond” colorway this past semester. Josh Hairston has also brought heat by sporting the Nike Zoom Rookie “Memphis Blues”, and Tyler Thornton solidified a top ten nod with a pair of Nike Zoom LeBron 8 Low VS “Duke” PE. Though four players stand out on a regular basis, we had to dock points for every other player wearing team issued sneakers. Coach K’s team will surely be on prime time television during the second half of the season, so be sure to check them out to see if they can get their grade up.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Miami Hurricanes<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> A-<\/p>\nThe sneakers of “The U” have slid under the radar this basketball season. If you recall, their kicks have been on point for the past few years. Remember the LeBron 9 “Miami Hurricane” PE? This team is laced, and this year they took it a step further with Trey McKinney Jones digging into his closet and pulling out the Air Jordan 8 “Orange Blaze.” Julian Randle made his presence felt this semester by rocking an iD version of the Jordan Spizike, and Reggie Johnson broke out a pair of Nike Zoom KD IV iD to match the Hurricanes green and orange color pallet. It does not stop there. The ‘Canes have been spotted in Nike Hyperposite “Atomic Green,” Jordan CP3.VI “Nitro,” and Nike Zoom Kobe VII Elite “Home” sneakers, as well. This seems to be only the beginning for the Miami basketball team. Keep both eyes on them during ACC Conference play in the second semester.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Syracuse Orange<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> A<\/p>\nSyracuse guard Brandon Triche has brought enough heat this season to vault Syracuse into the Top 10 by himself. He has rocked everything from Nike Hyperdunk 2011 Low “Lush Teal” to the brand new Nike Kobe 8. He is not the only member of the Orange team to turn heads, however. Fellow guard Trevor Cooney and big man Rakeem Christmas have both sported extremely nice iD versions of the Nike KD IV, and freshman forward DaJuan Coleman has acclimated himself very well by bringing out a bright orange pair of Nike LeBron X iD at Madison Square Garden. Not to mention, ‘Cuse has two different pair of Nike Hyperdunk 2012 PEs that they rock consistently. Triche does most of the heavy lifting, but pay attention to the Orange. We are sure there will be more heat to come as Big East play starts up.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Arizona Wildcats<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> A<\/p>\nThe University of Arizona is no stranger to hot sneakers. Mike Bibby is one of the forefathers of rocking eye popping kicks on court, and the tradition continues in a major way this year with the likes of Nick Johnson donning a plethora of Air Jordan sneakers, including the favorite Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” and the “Playoffs” colorway weeks before they released to the general public. Kevin Parrom also made a statement by wearing the Nike Air Foamposite One “Pealized Pink” for the first half of a few games in honor of his mother before switching to the Air Jordan 10 “Chicago”. Diversity displayed by more than one player on the team is what set ‘Zona apart. Point Guard Mark Lyons rocked Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red” and “Cement”, as well as, a limited edition Nike Zoom KD IV “EYBL” this semester. Freshman Gabe York created a nice pair of Nike Zoom KD IV iD, but the Wildcats’ Kicks on Court star is Jordin Mayes. Pulling out the Air Jordan 2 black\/white and the popular Nike Zoom Kobe VI “Hollywood” was almost enough to push the team’s grade to the A+ level. At any given moment, all five players on the court could be wearing completely different shoes and varying levels of heat. The first semester will be hard to top, but it looks like the guys down in Tucson have no plans to slow down.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> A<\/p>\nThe Thomas & Mack Center is right in the middle of the desert of Las Vegas, but we can’t help but think that the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels take the temperature up a notch with the heat they bring to the court. Air Jordan’s seem to be the team’s favorite shoe. Anthony Bennett has even rocked two different Jordan’s in the same game when he wore the Air Jordan 3 “Stealth” and Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” a few weeks ago. He holds down the kicks inside, and guard Justin Hawkins has the perimeter sneakers on lock. Hawkins has worn the Air Jordan 9 “Johnny Kilroy” and Nike Zoom Rookie “Matte Red”. His shining moment, and the best kicks worn this season, came when he broke out the Air Jordan 9 “Doernbecher” the day they dropped in a November 30 game against University of Hawaii. Hawkins’ backcourt teammate, Anthony Marshall, brings the heat, too. He has played in the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” and Air Jordan 9 “Cool Grey” this year, just to name a few. The infusion of impact Jordans gave UNLV the slight nod over Arizona, but not by much. Those of us in different time zones may not be able to see many Mountain West Conference games live, but the Runnin’ Rebels are worth the time to check out their game photos.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
San Diego State Aztecs<\/h2>\n Semester Grade:<\/strong> A+<\/p>\nIf you have followed College Kicks On Court for even one week, you know why the Aztecs get an A+. They have pulled out all the stops this year. Their kicks are so insane, people wonder if they even bothered ordering a team issued shoe. Wearing Jordan’s is one thing, but the San Diego State men take it to another level. J.J O’Brien has rocked the Air Jordan 3 Black\/Cement, the Air Jordan 12 Low “Black Patent,” and the Air Jordan 7 “Bordeaux” just to name a few. Proof that Winston Shepard was the right recruit was solidified when he laced up the Nike Zoom Kobe V “Bruce Lee.” He is clearly not concerned with matching his uniform. Guards Chase Tapley and Xavier Thames have worn everything from Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey” to Air Jordan 2 Low white\/red. Guard James Rahon has been wearing Air Jordan?s that range from the Air Jordan 11 Low IE to the Air Jordan 11 “Concord”. Big man DeShawn Stephens has worn a multitude of Jordan’s, including the Air Jordan 14 white\/red and Air Jordan 5 black\/metallic silver. Even substitute Skylar Spencer comes off the bench with heat, such as an iD version of the Nike Zoom KD IV and Nike Air Zoom 95 J-Kidd “New Jersey Nets”. Jamaal Franklin, however, has been the star among stars. He’s switched Jordan’s at halftime in a game, worn old favorites, and debuted the Nike Air Foamposite One “Stealth” on its release date. Needless to say, San Diego State has shown off an incredible array of sneakers in the first semester. This should come as no surprise to college basketball historians, as their head coach, Steve Fisher, has been a part of two of the most pivotal moments in college basketball sneaker history during his days as coach of the University of Michigan’s Fab Five. Could their second semester possibly be any better then their first?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
College Kicks on Court: First Semester Grades<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4653,"featured_media":258148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[835],"tags":[1212366,1225551,1212240],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
College Kicks On Court: Top 10 Teams of the First Semester | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n