Image via Complex Original
In case you haven't noticed, this year's college basketball season has featured tons of dope sneakers. For those of you that will argue that the NBA's selection is better, you may want to take a look at some of the exclusive kicks that have been seen in the NCAA this season. Teams like Miami and Duke have probably had more exclusives than your favorite player in the league, and they're just the beginning. As the Tournament kicks off, check out 15 Teams For Sneakerheads to Watch in This Year's March Madness.
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15. Louisville Cardinals
Players: Julian Gamble, Kenny Kadji, Trey McKinney-Jones
Sneakers: adidas Crazy Light 2, adidas Rose 3.5, adidas Crazy Quick
Peyton Siva and Russ Smith led the Cardinals to victory in the final Big East Tournament of the modern era. You can expect to see them rocking the Louisville exclusive adidas, including the Crazy Light, Crazy Quick and Rose signature on their way towards the Final Four.
14. Villanova Wildcats
Players: JayVaughn Pinkston, Darrun Hilliard, Mouphtaou Yarou
Sneakers: Nike KD V iD, Air Jordan IV
Nova has a history of dope kicks, word to Kerry Kittles. This year though, JayVaughn Pinkston, Darrun Hilliard and Mouphtaou Yarou are looking to add their names to sneakerhead history.
13. Ohio State Buckeyes
Players: Evan Ravenel, DeShaun Thomas, Shannon Scott, Lenzelle Smith, Jr., Amir Williams
Sneakers: Nike Lebron X iD, Nike Zoom Soldier VI "Ohio State"
Lebrons are the go-to sneakers of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Whether it's a pair of LeBron X iDs or a pair of Ohio State exclusive Zoom Soldiers, you can expect to see some dope stuff from the "school that might have been" for King James.
12. San Diego State Aztecs
Players: Winston Shepard, Jamaal Franklin, Chase Tapley
Sneakers: Nike Air Foamposite One, Air Jordan VI, NIke Zoom Kobe VII, Air Jordan XI Low IE
The San Diego State Aztecs continue to wow us in the latest and greatest, as well as some heat from years past, proving that nearly the whole team has their sneaker game on lock. Expect the Aztecs to keep it 100 in heat this tournament like they have all season.
11. California Golden Bears
Players: David Kravish, Justin Cobbs, Allen Crabbe
Sneakers: Air Jordan XX8, Air Jordan XI
Cal is one of the longest-running Jordan Brand schools and this year they rocked exclusive colorways along with the eyebrow-raising Air Jordan XX8. Not to mention some other exclusives and retros that keep them golden and you may never see anyplace else.
10. Marguette Golden Eagles
Players: Junior Cadougan, Vander Blue, Juan Anderson, Derrick Wilson
Sneakers: Air Jordan IX, Air Jordan XIV, Jordan CP3.VI PE
Marquette being a Jordan Brand school means you can expect everyone to be rockin' the Jumpman. That being said, you know they'll have something exclusive for the tourney.
9. Iowa State Cyclones
Players: Tyrus McGee, Will Clyburn, Korie Lucious
Sneakers: Air Jordan XIV, Air Jordan XII, Air Jordan X, Air Jordan XI Low IE, Jordan FLTCLB '91
The Iowa State Cyclones may not be the biggest school on the block, but they always keep it fresh in dope pairs of Jordans. You can expect the Cyclones to continue to take to the rim in classic Js this tournament.
8. Arizona Wildcats
Players: Mark Lyons, Kevin Parrom, Nick Johnson
Sneakers: Nike Air Flight One, Air Jordan XIII, Nike Zoom Kobe VII, Air Jordan IV, Air Jordan XI
The Wildcats' Mark Lyons and his teamates always keep the dopest kicks on their feet. From the Air Jordan XIII to the Nike Kobe Zoom VII, expect more heat this tournament from a lot of players on the team, including floor general Nick Johnson.
7. Syracuse Orange
Players: Rakeem Christmas, Brandon Triche
Sneakers: Nike Zoom KD IV iD, Nike KD V iD, Nike Kobe 8
The Syracuse Orange keep fresh iD's on deck, as well exclusives from their former superstar-turned-all-star, Carmelo Anthony. Expect Rakeem Christmas, Brandon Triche and their squad to be laced this tournament.
6. UNLV Runnin' Rebels
Players: Anthony Bennett, Anthony Marshall, Justin Hawkins
Sneakers: Air Jordan XI, Nike Air Penny V, Nike Lebron X, Air Jordan V
Anthony Bennett of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels is nearly always laced in a dope pair of Air Jordan XIs. Expect he and his teammates to create havoc on the court this tournament while rockin' fresh Js because sometimes it seems like there might be a little friendly competition amongst the Rebels to see who rocks the dopest kicks.
5. Pittsburgh Panthers
Players: Lamar Patterson, Trey Zeigler, Trey Woodall
Sneakers: Air Jordan XV, Nike Zoom Kobe VI, Nike Foamposite Pro, Air Jordan III
Into some classic colorways of your favorites? The Pittsburgh Panthers seem to always have heat ranging from Foams to retro Jordans. Check out what Lamar Patterson and team wear this tournament, because we're expecting to see some freshness from them.
4. Duke Blue Devils
Players: Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton, Mason Plumlee
Sneakers: Nike Lebron X iD, Nike KD V iD, Nike Air Penny V, Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4
Reppin' Nike to the fullest, Mason Plumlee, Tyler Thornton and the Blue Devils have a lot to prove this tournament. Except for when it comes to footwear, because in that department, LeBron and Kobes in Blue Devil colorways are always a good look. This year they even took it to a new level with Penny Vs, Huarache 2K4s and KDs.
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
Players: Dexter Strickland, Reggie Bullock, Marcus Paige, James Michael McAdoo
Sneakers: Air Jordan XX8, Air Jordan VII, Jordan CP3.VI, Jordan Aero Flight PE
The Tar Heels always come correct with the Jordan Brand PEs and exclusives. Keep an eye on Dexter Strickland, Reggie Bullock and their teammates this tourney for Air Jordan XX8s, CP3 PEs and Aero Flight PEs that you can't get your hands on. Must be nice, right?
2. Missouri Tigers
Players: Laurence Bowers, Tony Criswell, Earnest Ross, Phil Pressey
Sneakers: Nike LeBron X iD, Air Jordan VI, Nike Zoom Kobe VII
Players like Phil Pressey and Earnest Ross on the Missouri Tigers stay have been sporting heat all season. Whether it's LeBron X iDs, Air Jordan retros or Kobes, you can expect more of the same in the tournament.
1. Miami Hurricanes
Players: Shane Larkin, Julian Gamble, Kenny Kadji, Trey McKinney-Jones
Sneakers: Jordan Spiz'ike, Nike LeBron X iD, Nike Zoom KD IV, Air Jordan XX8, Nike Kobe 8
You won't see exclusives like the Miami Hurricanes wear any place else. Not only has the team rocked the exclusive SoleFly Spiz'ike, the ACC champs have also added plenty of other dope kicks to the list this season. Shane Larkin, Julian Gamble and the Canes probably have more heat in their lockers than you do in your closet. Don't hate, though. Appreciate.