IU basketball to wear special adidas uniforms at Big Ten Tournament

The Indiana men’s basketball team will be wearing special edition “Hurryin’ Hoosiers’ uniforms during the Big Ten Tournament, which will be played in Indianapolis from March 13-16.

Adidas is trying to get as many of its schools to wear ‘Made in March’ uniforms, and IU finally game in. Last year, they passed on a rather bright and obnoxious combination — like we’ve seen with Baylor or Kansas.

Our players are excited to have something that will be unique to their time at Indiana,” coach Tom Crean said in a statement. “Great traditions like the candy stripe pants, the script Indiana, and the names not being on the back of their jerseys, are timeless and we are proud to uphold those every day.”

Most fans are going to like the new uniforms, no matter how subtle the changes. There’s a mix of colors on the shoulders and stripes on the shorts. But mainly because they’re different, and Indiana takes pride in being old school.

The most likely scenario is that adidas has been pressuring IU to take on some kind of alternate uniform for the last few years. They’ve continued to say no, particularly last season during their reign as the No. 1 team and into the Sweet Sixteen. IU, one of adidas’ biggest college accounts, has probably felt the pressure and finally budged, albeit just for the Big Ten Tournament.

I don’t mind them, because the changes are ever so slight, but I’m likely in the minority. The uniforms will make their biggest impact with the recruits.

James Blackmon Jr. tweeted, “need these for next year.”

Indiana athletic director Fred Glass on the uniforms: “Particularly given that our current style of play is reminiscent of the “Hurryin’ Hoosier” teams of the great Branch McCracken era, it is highly appropriate for our team to don these uniforms as a fun meld of our beloved and storied tradition with cutting edge design and uniform technology. It is no secret that we have shied away from special uniforms that depart dramatically from our traditional look. We are so appreciative to adidas for working with us to develop these fun and exciting, yet tradition-based uniforms.”

More on the material and design:

Made in March Uniforms feature a functional perforated print pattern along the leg of the stretch woven short to enhance breathability and ventilation, keeping players cool as the clock winds down. adidas’ quick-drying jersey technology found in current NBA uniforms along with ClimaCool zones on the chest, back and side, move heat and moisture away from the body to keep the jersey light and dry during as players sweat.