March Madness Style Trends

Hey guys. I'm pulling together some research for an article about player/team styles you see every March during the NCAA Tournament--things like teams that all bic their heads for unity, players that shave things into their hair or written messages on player's shoes. Undoubtedly there will be a few more additions at this year's tournament.

I'm planning on starting the piece with a little history, looking at players like Ricky Soliver of Iona and his mohawk in 2006, and Joakim Noah of the Gators with his mess of a pony tail. I figured you are all hoop heads as I am--any players/teams that I should be sure to touch on? What sticks out in your memory?

 

The Duke crying towel.

 

There was a weird long-haired looking doofus from Manhattan about 10 years ago. I don't know why that one sticks out.

 

if you talk history, you've got to go back to the Michigan "Fab Five" years and their knee-length shorts and black quarter socks with black shoes

 

Milwaukee players shaving their heads before their run to the Sweet 16 in the 2005 tourney.

 

Bo Kimble's left-handed free throws come to mind immediately.

 

Yeah they changed things forever in college basketball.

 

UNLV wore Ball State hats throughout their 1991 near-unbeaten season to remind them that anyone could jump up and knock them off. Ball State was a last-second shot away from beating UNLV in the 1990 Sweet 16, the only real close shave the Runnin' Rebels had on their way to the 1990 national championship.

Excuse me ...

(SO FUCKING CLOSE! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!)

 

Morrison's ridiculous porn stache. I believe he started sporting it in college.

 

Minnesota players using the same tutor to write all their term papers the year they made their Final Four run.

 

Mike Frensley of St. Peter's had his head shaved from the tops of his ears down, but wore a pony tail in the mid-90s. Interesting look in a clean-cut sport like basketball.

Bryant Reeves' old-school flat top. Devin Davis of Miami and his long dreadlocks pulled into a mop. Eugene Edgerson's Afro and high socks for Arizona (and now for the Harlem Globetrotters). Jeryl Sasser of SMU sporting the Afro and cornrows seemingly on alternating weeks. Kerry Kittles' one sock up, one sock down.

Thanks Jack; corrected sted Peter Frenzley of St. Francis.

 

That was Mike Frensley of St. Peter's, but good to pull that out of the memory banks nonetheless.

As was the Kittles sock thing.