UCLA basketball to wear ‘Made in March’ postseason alternates

UCLA's latest "Made in March" uniforms are far from the worst alternates adidas has ever released. (UCLA Athletics)

UCLA’s latest “Made in March” uniforms are far from the worst alternates adidas has ever released. (UCLA Athletics)

Staying true to its annual tradition, Adidas has designed new “Made in March” uniforms to, erm, brighten up the college basketball postseason.

Credit the apparel company with this: By releasing the infamous Zubaz shorts in 2013, it has set the floor so low that just about anything looks good in comparison. In this year’s Pac-12 Tournament, UCLA will wear a fairly traditional color scheme, with a faded triangle pattern just below the waistband meant to evoke John Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success.”

How many appearances the Bruins (15-14, 6-10) will make in these new alternates remains unclear. They are currently on track to be the No. 10 seed in next week’s Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas.

In other basketball news, a petition calling for the firing of third-year head coach Steve Alford has collected more than 1,000 signatures, not an insubstantial figure. Of course, neither is the buyout stipulated in his contract: If UCLA were to dismiss Alford before April 30, 2017, it would owe him $10.4 million, paid out in monthly installments until 2021.

UCLA to debut new mesh-style ‘Primeknit’ home uniforms

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These are UCLA’s new home uniforms this season, featuring a mesh-style design that will no doubt be universally embraced by fans.

In an announcement that will cause no consternation among the Bruin faithful, UCLA said that the new “Primeknit” design pays homage to the school’s “tradition of grit and toughness.” The phrase “Champions made here” is stitched on the collar ribbing.

The new look will debut at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 5 against Virginia.

Pac-12 links: Marcus Mariota is the last unsigned NFL first-round pick

» Former Oregon quarterback and No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Marcus Mariota has not yet signed his contract with the Tennessee Titans, making him the last first-rounder to hold out. A report suggested that Mariota was upset that the contract barred him from surfing — but, disappointingly, others have debunked that reason.

» Utah cornerback Dominique Hatfield has been charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. A former receiver, he was expected to start as a junior.

» Colorado defensive tackle Josh Tupou has been ruled out for the Buffaloes this season after being arrested in spring, but school officials aren’t commenting further. Continue reading “Pac-12 links: Marcus Mariota is the last unsigned NFL first-round pick” »

UCLA to wear colorblock alternate uniforms in Pac-12 Tournament

UCLA's new postseason alternate uniforms, which are far from the worse thing the Bruins have ever worn. (adidas)

UCLA’s new postseason alternate uniforms, which are far from the worst thing the Bruins have ever worn. (adidas)

After the Great Zubaz Scandal of 2013, the standard for shock and awe and disgust has already been set for the world of UCLA alternate uniforms. We have seen the future, and it nearly blinded us.

So here is the newest UCLA alternate uniform, colorblocked according to the latest fashion trends. It will be worn briefly during the Pac-12 Tournament in two weeks, then stored away as all UCLA alternates always are. Adidas will tout the “lightweight, sweat-wicking technology” and “targeted ventilation zones.” When asked, players will respond with appropriate enthusiasm. Some fans will nod politely; others will wring their hands and grit their teeth.

The gyre of sporting couture whirls on.

UCLA football introduces new ‘L.A. Steel’ gray alternate uniforms

Here is UCLA football’s latest alternate look: a gray, sort-of-shiny jersey called “L.A. Steel.”

Introducing new uniforms has become a bit of an annual event for the Bruins, who unveiled “L.A. Midnight” last year and “L.A. Nights” the year before that.

UCLA’s press release called the latest iteration the first gray uniform in school history. The gloves come together to form a “UCLA” script also featured on the pants, and a print of the Los Angeles skyline appears along the compression sleeves. Its Shockweb compression technology also supposedly “clings tightly to the body, making players more difficult to tackle.” Continue reading “UCLA football introduces new ‘L.A. Steel’ gray alternate uniforms” »