K-Uniform Report: The New Home Alternates for the Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas basketball is known for two things: winning and looking good while doing it. And just because KU only plays home and away games, it doesn't mean that they have to limit themselves to their two standard uniforms sets. They could as they both look really good in action, but why? Especially when you have a treasure trove of history to inspire more great uniforms. Let's examine the latest releases.
The first set was worn for the Indiana game and to me, this one is an instant classic and should be in KU's normal rotation. The uni was inspired by the famous "Beware of the Phog" sign in Allen Fieldhouse and the designers got it right.
"Kansas" is in blue in the unique banner font and the entire word is outlined in red, just like the words on the banner. It's such a great idea that I can't believe that they haven't thought of it before.
The numbers are also a unique font that is modeled after the banner. Of course, there are no numbers on that banner, so it took some creativity, but again, the designers nailed it. And the fact that they are red with a blue outline is just the icing on the cake. It contrasts perfectly with the "Kansas" and when you add the pre-Trajan font Jayhawk on the shorts, you have a near perfect set.
The second set is not as inspiring. Worn against Harvard, it was dubbed the blue collar set that "pays tribute to all the blue collar workers across Jayhawk nation." Their words, not mine. Anyway, up close, this uniform is spectacular, but from a distance and on TV it leaves a lot to be desired.
The first thing that KU fans will love is the return of the circus font, always a favorite. And it looks great here too. Blue outlined in red with a subtle (too subtle for TV) gold trim looks great up close. I really like it when KU adds a little yellow (or gold) and this is a great example of it. Owning this jersey would be cool, but on TV it doesn't work. The interlocking 1990's version of "KU" on the shorts does the same. It's kind of hard to read.
The major downside of these uniforms is that they aren't white, and they aren't exactly grey either. They look like they've been left in old dish water or are kind of dirty. These uniforms would pop more if they were a brilliant white.
Will we see more? I think so. This is KU's 125th anniversary of basketball so I think the braintrust will give us at least one more set of uniforms this season.
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