16 team Nike school BB tourney to honor Phil Knight in 2017

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

This is unreal. A 16-team tournament for Nike schools only to honor Nike co-founder Phil Knight will take place in 2017. It will be played in Portland, OR. He turns 80 a few months later.

These are the teams who have been reported so far: Michigan State, Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgetown, Connecticut, Stanford and ohio.

It was organized by none other than Mr. Gimmick, mark hollis.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/weiss/2012/08/mega-hoops-tournament-planned-for-for-nike-founder-phil-knights-80th-birthday

Wolverine Devotee

August 16th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

My only comment on this is nike better learn from their mistakes and pony up this time.

I'm actually starting to think Under Armour could become the new outfitter. It's gonna be a bidding war on who will pay Michigan the most, no doubt. DB will not go to Nike because they are the "sexier" brand.

I'm afraid of what Nike will do to Michigan's uniforms with their pro combat horseshit.

spartanfan123

August 16th, 2012 at 4:52 PM ^

It'll actually be 2 8-team tournaments, since you can't have two teams from the same conference in the same tournament, so this way you can have two schools from the same conference. 

The school committed:

• Kentucky (SEC)

• Florida (SEC)

• Michigan State (Big Ten)

• Ohio State (Big Ten)

• Duke (ACC)

• North Carolina (ACC)

• Connecticut (Big East)

• Georgetown (Big East)

• Texas (Big 12)

• Oklahoma (Big 12)

• Stanford (Pac-12)

• Oregon (Pac-12)

• Xavier (A-10)

• Butler (A-10)

• Gonzaga (WCC)

• Portland (WCC)

 

Obviously can change between now and 2017 when schools change conferences and brands. 

 

WolverinesSteelBones

August 16th, 2012 at 5:17 PM ^

Funny how it's kind of hush-hush to talk about our displeasure with Adidas here.  I don't know why.  As long as I've been into fashion; Adidas has been second-rate, tacky, and budget.

It breaks my heart that UM is an Adidas school.  I'm left scouring eBay for deadstock Nike #10, #2, #1, and #21 jerseys.  The good times, the Michigan that I fell in love with and the Michigan I hope to see again.

WolverinesSteelBones

August 16th, 2012 at 5:34 PM ^

I used to look at Adidas schools and be thankful Michigan was with Nike.  I don't expect everybody to understand my sentimental attachment, or pick up on how a program is perceived regarding their brand of uniform - but you WILL understand this.  Anybody who watches college football regularly can name the uniform supplier for 95% of the top 25 teams in CFB.  Period.

WolverinesSteelBones

August 16th, 2012 at 5:34 PM ^

I used to look at Adidas schools and be thankful Michigan was with Nike.  I don't expect everybody to understand my sentimental attachment, or pick up on how a program is perceived regarding their brand of uniform - but you WILL understand this.  Anybody who watches college football regularly can name the uniform supplier for 95% of the top 25 teams in CFB.  Period.

Lionsfan

August 16th, 2012 at 11:45 PM ^

1: You're putting way too much value into the production of a jersey. Whoever makes the jersey is irrelevant

2: If you're buying a Desmond Howard nike jersey, you're getting ripped off. Take a look at all of these football pics and tell me what you see? Or should I say, don't see.

The fact of the matter is that Michigan didn't switch to Nike until the mid-90's, so quit acting like Nike was some tradition that Adidas broke and then shit upon. We had them for a little bit, then Adidas made us a much much better offer.

Not having Nike didn't do us any harm from 1978 (when they were officially branded as Nike)-1994 (when we signed with them). All this bitching about the jersey brand is stupid

HELLE

August 16th, 2012 at 5:24 PM ^

" this is unreal" or " gimmick". I'm in favor of anything that creates some great basketball games. I really don't mind Adidas, but I would love to be apart of this tournament.

maizeandblue32

August 16th, 2012 at 6:41 PM ^

I'd say 3rd at best...Under Armour (when they aren't playing microsoft word 1995 with the Maryland state flag, is making some really sharp uniforms now too (Auburn for example) ...

I know tradiitons live on, but it does suck to see other schools getting really nice equipment ... our jerseys look like theyre from 15 years ago. I dont get it. Adidas dominates the most popular sport in the world yet cant make our relatively simple uniforms just look sharp...

When M Den releases the new apparel for the year, Im not even excited, im just seeing how much worse it is than last year and how many stripes are going to be on everything...

michfan6060

August 16th, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^

I honestly don't understand why we aren't talking to Starter. I used to have some sweet starter Michigan jackets....

snarling wolverine

August 16th, 2012 at 7:14 PM ^

I can't think of someone more worthy of being honored than the guy who pioneered the concept of selling shoes that cost $5 to make for $125, all the while marketing said shoes to the people who coud least afford them (inner-city chldren).