shoes

Thanks to the Kansas Jayhawks (or coulda been, free-throw-choking Memphis Tigers), Adidas has broken Nike’s string of seven consecutive NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships. Here’s to the champion Jayhawks decked out with Adidas.

The Brotherhood has done it.

Here’s one last look at this year’s bracket from a kicks perspective.

Technorati Tags: Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers

Like last year, the NCAA Men’s Basketball champion will be an easy kicks pick. The Finals are solely represented by those from the Adidas Brotherhood, the Memphis Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks.

So Adidas finally breaks through Nike’s recent hold of National Champs dating back to 2001 (Duke, Maryland, Syracuse, UConn, NC, Florida twice). Indeed, 2008 is the year basketball is a brotherhood.

Related:

• Kicks Analysis #1: Shoe Sponsorship 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #2: Sponsorship by Conference 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #3: 48 Victories 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #4: Sweet 16 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #5: Shoes of Champions 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #6: Elite 8 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #7: Final Four 2006 | 2007 |2008
• Kicks Analysis #8: The Finals 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #9: The Champ 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Technorati Tags: Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers

As March winds to a close, the Madness continues for the UCLA Bruins, Memphis Tigers, North Carolina Tar Heels, and Kansas Jayhawks. All regional #1 seeds made it to the Final Four which means that Adidas commands three spots of the Final Four with Carolina defending the Nike name ala their Team Jordan sneaks.

Though I am a little out of touch with the current kicks offerings, I don’t recall seeing any razzle dazzle out on the court this tournament. Some retro stuff but nothing that great. Maybe that’s why my bracket’s busted? 😉

Related:

• Kicks Analysis #1: Shoe Sponsorship 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #2: Sponsorship by Conference 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #3: 48 Victories 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #4: Sweet 16 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #5: Shoes of Champions 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #6: Elite 8 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #7: Final Four 2006 | 2007 |2008
• Kicks Analysis #8: The Finals 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #9: The Champ 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Technorati Tags: Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers

Adidas is promoting their “Basketball is a Brotherhood” advertising campaign during March Madness, and their lineup could feature a possible National Champion. Is there a champion among these?

The three stripe clad UCLA, Kansas, Memphis, and Louisville are playing on in the Elite 8.

Related:

• Kicks Analysis #1: Shoe Sponsorship 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #2: Sponsorship by Conference 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #3: 48 Victories 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #4: Sweet 16 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #5: Shoes of Champions 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #6: Elite 8 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #7: Final Four 2006 | 2007 |2008
• Kicks Analysis #8: The Finals 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #9: The Champ 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Technorati Tags: Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers

The Elite 8 teams go at it on Saturday and Sunday, and we have an even split. Four Nike teams and four Adidas teams AND each regional finals feature a Nike team going up against an Adidas team. How much better can this be?

• North Carolina (Nike/Team Jordan) vs Louisville (Adidas)
• Kansas (Adidas) vs Davidson (Nike)
• Memphis (Adidas) vs Texas (Nike)
• UCLA (Adidas) vs Xavier (Nike)

In 2007, the Elite 8 was 5 for Nike and 3 for Adidas.

Related:

• Kicks Analysis #1: Shoe Sponsorship 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #2: Sponsorship by Conference 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #3: 48 Victories 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #4: Sweet 16 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #5: Shoes of Champions 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #6: Elite 8 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #7: Final Four 2006 | 2007 |2008
• Kicks Analysis #8: The Finals 2006 | 2007 | 2008
• Kicks Analysis #9: The Champ 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Technorati Tags: Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers

I must say Adidas teams are making an impact on this year’s March Madness tournament. In 2007, Nike represented 11 of the Sweet 16 teams, and Adidas had the remaining five teams. There’s more parity in 2008 with nine Nike teams, six Adidas teams, and one non-sponsored team.

1. North Carolina (Nike/Jordan Brand)
2. Washington State (Nike)
3. Louisville (Adidas)
4. Tennessee (Adidas)
5. Kansas (Adidas)
6. Villanova (Nike)
7. Wisconsin (Adidas)
8. Davidson (Nike)
9. Memphis (Adidas)
10. Michigan State (Nike)
11. Stanford (Nike)
12. Texas (Nike)
13. UCLA (Adidas)
14. Western Kentucky (Independent)
15. Xavier (Nike)
16. West Virginia (Nike)

Technorati Tags: basketball, Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers

After the completion of Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Nike teams have 28 victories, Adidas 18, and 2 by the independent Western Kentucky. Percentage wise this equates to 58% of the wins going to Nike teams, 38% going to Adidas teams, and 4% of the games won by the non-sponsored Hilltoppers of WKU.

The 2008 results are way down for Nike. In 2006, Nike teams owned 73% of the first 48 victories and 67% in 2007. Adidas’ numbers have grown over the years, 23% in ’06, 29% in ’07, and 38% in ’08.

NCAA Tournament First 48 Victories 2006 | 2007

Technorati Tags: basketball, Kicks, March Madness, NCAA Tournament, Nike, shoes, sneakers