After a month and a half of basketball, the Pac-12 teams have debuted 37 different uniforms. Here we rank them in a three-part series, starting from the bottom and working our way up. Today, #12 to #1. Make sure to check out parts one and two as well.
12. Washington’s Golds
We opened our last post of this series with a gold jersey, and we do the same here. I like Washington’s version because it’s not a very flashy gold, more low-key. One of the best alternate uniforms in the conference.
11. Oregon’s Regular Yellows: This is Oregon we’re talking about, so we do have to distinguish between its different yellow uniforms. The Ducks like to break these out at home, and for good reason. The black lettering looks great on the bright contrast.
10. UCLA’s Powder Blues
Some classic uniforms are boring. Others are iconic, like these powder blues from the Bruins. They open our top 10 and I’m loving the way the block gold lettering is big and bold, yet doesn’t take away from the beautiful blue. You also have to love the dedication to John Wooden in the upper right quadrant. A pyramid with his initials is a great way to honor the late great legend.
9. California’s Whites: This is the top rated white jersey in the conference. The gold lettering and font is perfect, and as I’ve mentioned in previous posts in this series, the blue and gold dots that line the sides are new school and appealing.
8. USC’s Cardinals
What’s not to love about these? Gold on cardinal always looks nice, and these threads have a classic but new feel to them. One of the few times I think a big team name and numerals across the chest looks good.
7. Arizona’s Reds: The red tops with red shorts is a great combo, and the navy blue and white stripes across the shoulders is a very underrated aspect of this uniform. The best part, however, may be on the back, where rays of sunshine, a cactus, and a banner reading “Wildcats” is featured behind the player name and number. Very cool.
6. Oregon State’s Oranges
Great look by the Beavers here — I like the bright red on bright red, orange tops and shorts look good together. The “OSU” across the chest is a new and welcome change, and the styling of the numbers looks good. Like the above Wildcat uniforms, some of the best parts here are hidden. The black and white stripes along the sides look great, and on the back is a type of “ghost” Beaver at the bottom of a basketball net. Huge improvement over last year’s uniforms.
5. Oregon’s Fighting Ducks Yellows: Oregon has revealed a few different “Fighting Ducks” uniforms in the past couple years, and these are by far the best of the green and yellow bunch. While the seldom-used nickname makes the jersey, the black collar and stripes down the side complement everything nicely. These are great threads to crack the top five.
4. Oregon’s Blacks
I absolutely love the bright yellow on black look. The styling of the “Oregon” on the chest is terrific, and the silver “O” at the bottom of the collar is an underrated aspect. One could definitely make the argument these are the best road uniforms in the conference.
3. Stanford’s Blacks
However, these are the top black uniforms in the Pac-12. The black “Stanford” over the black tops is new and intriguing, only readable because it’s outlined in cardinal red. The cardinal numbers also look great, and the design that lines the side of theses is great too.
2. Oregon State’s Turquoises
The naysayers will say this is ridiculous. How can a team whose colors are orange and black make a blue uniform and have it rank so highly? Well, because they are sick. Ill. Dope. Whatever you want to call them, they look fantastic. The brand new “Beavers” cursive script is great, and the orange numbers actually look pretty nice on top of the turquoise. The tartan-style patch that tops the shorts is creative and modern, and the design that lines the entire uniform from top to bottom is also very stylish. The Beavers have worn these threads twice this year to the tune of a 1-1 record. Here’s hoping we see them again.
1. Oregon’s Camouflage
Once again, the traditionalists aren’t going to like this call. But how do you not love these? The shade of green in the “Fighting Ducks” lettering is perfect on top of the camouflage, and the green “O” on the bottom of that black collar looks something like a spaceship. The alternate logo on the side of the shorts is better than the usual logo, and the camo-incorporated parts of the shoes is creative. These were of course introduced for the season opener against Georgetown in the Armed Forces Classic, but I hope they’re pulled out at least once more on the 2013-14 campaign. They’re just too nice not to be worn again.
Share your own thoughts in the comments section as to which uniforms are the best in Pac-12 basketball.