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Kicks Analysis 2017 #8: The Champ

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Too much Jordan. Has to be, but in any case, North Carolina barely outlasted Gonzaga in the Finals of 2017 Men’s NCAA basketball season. It was tight until the end before that 9-2 burst by the Tarheels did in the Bulldogs.

during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

Of course, I was rooting for the underdog since the Gonzaga basketball program has yet to win a National Championship, but how can you fault the “opposing” team for wearing the Cool Gray colorway of the Air Jordan 11?

during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

Going back to 1999, the kicks title looks like this:

That’s 16 championships for Nike in the past 19 years, upping the Swoosh’s winning percentage to 84%. Congratulations to the Tar Heels and Nike.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #7: The Finals

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It’s over… from a kicks point of view anyways. Nike has another championship locked down with North Carolina and Gonzaga playing in the finals. Starting out, Nike had a 59% chance for one of its teams to win it all. Under Armour and Adidas were close to each other at 19% and 22% respectively.

For the Sweet Sixteen, Nike’s odds increased to 75%, and Adidas and UA were at 12.5% each.

In the Elite 8, Nike maintained its 75% mark meaning Adidas and Under Armour again had 12.5%.

The Final Four featured three Nike teams, again 75% of the teams, with only Under Armour remaining.

Now with the Bulldogs battling the Tar Heels, Nike has a 100% chance of winning.

during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

On Monday, it’s Jordans versus LeBrons, Kobes, Kyries, and KDs.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #5: Elite 8

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The odds, the percentages – forget them. It’s March Madness, baby! All shoe brands are still in it with Nike having 75% of the Elite 8. UA and Adidas each have one team repping their brand.

Check out them Kobes!
Seed: Team, Shoe
11: Xavier, Nike
1: Gonzaga, Nike
3: Oregon, Nike
1: Kansas, Adidas
7: South Carolina, Under Armour
4: Florida, Nike
2: Kentucky, Nike
1: North Carolina, Nike

This percentage breakdown mimics that of 2016.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #4: Shoes of Champions

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I vowed that if my bracket won this year’s tournament then I would buy shoes from the popular Adidas basketball lineup. There are no losers in the current lineup of Crazy Explosives (low), Harden Vol. 1, and the Dame 3. Currently, Adidas adorns the remaining Kansas and UCLA squads.

Lonzo balls in the Hardens.

Oddly enough, I didn’t spot the special Jayhawks makeup of the Crazy Explosive in their matchup with Purdue. I did see a different color way and the unheralded CrazyLight Boost.

Kansas guard Josh Jackson (11) dunks against Purdue Boilermakers in the first half during the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, March 23, 2017. Kansas advanced, 98-66. (Shane Keyser/Kansas City Star/TNS)
Kansas guard Devonte’ Graham (4) drives to the basket around Purdue guard P.J. Thompson (11) in the first half in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, March 23, 2017. Kansas advanced, 98-66. (Rich Sugg/Kansas City Star/TNS)

 

But the Dame 3 is really growing on me. The performance is there, and while its look is unconventional, there are color schemes that flat out work.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #3: Sweet 16

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The sweetness of the sixteen teams still dancing look like this:

  1. Florida (4)
  2. Wisconsin (8)
  3. Baylor (3)
  4. South Carolina (7)
  5. Gonzaga (1)
  6. West Virginia (4)
  7. Arizona (2)
  8. Xavier (11)
  9. Kansas (1)
  10. Purdue (4)
  11. Oregon (3)
  12. Michigan (7)
  13. North Carolina (1)
  14. Butler (4)
  15. Kentucky (2)
  16. UCLA (3)

Nike holds a dominant position with 12 of the 16 (75%). Adidas and UA both have two teams represented (12.5%), but Adidas has powerhouses, UCLA and Kansas, playing.

I haven’t been impressed by any particular pair of kicks on-court thus far. So instead, I’ll give props to the Big West representatives, UC Davis and the bespeckled, hard working, Chima Moneke.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #1: Shoe Sponsorship

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The first kicks analysis of every Big Dance is the overall makeup of the dancing shoes, specifically who makes’em. My first kicks examination failed for several teams – North Dakota, Middle Tennessee, Dayton, NC Central, Vermont, Iona, and the play-in matchups. Obviously, I’ll have to update my charts after the first round when I get another look at the teams. So far, the 2017 breakdown looks like this.

Nike’s numbers are significantly down from 2016, going from 62% to 53%, and Adidas took a five-point hit dropping behind Under Armour. Looks like Under Armour rode the success of the Curry line and sponsored more teams who found their way to the Dance. Again, things are going to be different after my info is finalized and that remaining 11% is properly allocated.

The annual sponsorship chart doesn’t show a favorable trend for Nike, losing ground the past two years.

Adidas surprisingly has been relatively flat. With their latest shoe successes, future trends should definitely show an uptick, probably at the cost to Under Armour. Since the successes of the Curry 1 and 2 models, attraction to the Curry 3 has been mild, and with Steph himself having an off-year, the hype for UA shoes just isn’t the same.

Update

Here are the updated charts, and Nike and Adidas picked up more teams with UA staying even.

Launching Kicks Analysis 2017

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Last year, I was late with my 2016 Kicks Analysis with the Warriors of Hawaii making a run in the Dance. But in 2017, Hawaii’s done (although they did get to play in the postseason), so I have some time to launch this year’s Kicks Analysis – a little early but also a little incomplete.

With the overall March Madness underway, I have to recognize Adidas for their team shoe lineups. Adidas has done a fantastic job outfitting teams with customized shoe models based on the Crazy Explosive, Dame 3, and Harden Vol 1. Check them out.

In fact, I’m so enthralled by Adidas’ offerings that if my bracket is a winner, I made a kicks vow to get one of these team shoes (aiming for the Kansas Crazy Explosive Low). But that’s if these team kicks become publicly available. If not available, the general release version will have to suffice.