Illini Basketball Uniforms

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#376      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
SoCal Illini said:
Just stick with the ‘throwback’ fighting Illini (flyin illini era). In white, blue, and orange for big games. They’re great unis and I’m of the opinion that some consistency in uniforms contributes in a way to team identity, at the very least from an outside perspective.

A man can dream… but for the ‘fighting Illini’ uniforms replacing the current ‘I’ on the shorts with the chief logo would make them the best uniforms in basketball.
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I would fully in support of adopting the Flyin' Illini throwbacks in all three colors as our base jersey and wearing them most games. However, for certain games like Braggin' Rights, the NCAA Tournament, a top 5 matchup at home, etc., I would support utilizing the Script throwbacks, as well. They're too good of jerseys to just get rid of.

In short, Flyin' Illini in all three colors most games. Script (at least white and orange) for occasional big games.
 
#377      

Toews

Toews
Toews
Fighter of the Nightman said:
It seems so weird we would have those available for sale (and clearly Nike!) yet not have the actual orange script jerseys to wear. If you will notice, those actually have a slightly inferior font and no white outline. I HAVE to believe there is some annoying logistical or contractual holdup here, because it is otherwise bewildering that the geniuses at Nike do not give us white/orange/blue versions of both throwbacks.

We literally already HAVE a white Flyin' Illini one that was worn as recently as six years ago ... it would be so easy. And clearly Nike has gone to the trouble of ALMOST making an orange Script throwback ... just get it done!
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I don't think those are sold by Nike. They look like third party designs.
 
#378      

IlliniKat91

IlliniKat91
Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
Toews said:
I don't think those are sold by Nike. They look like third party designs.
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They wouldn't put the swoosh on it if it wasn't Nike. Nike is way too quick to sue. It doesn't look polished because they don't have the accents (and they likely didn't bother because they wanted to make cash first and foremost).
 
#379      

21ChampaignSt

21ChampaignSt
21ChampaignSt
Fighter of the Nightman said:
It seems so weird we would have those available for sale (and clearly Nike!) yet not have the actual orange script jerseys to wear. If you will notice, those actually have a slightly inferior font and no white outline. I HAVE to believe there is some annoying logistical or contractual holdup here, because it is otherwise bewildering that the geniuses at Nike do not give us white/orange/blue versions of both throwbacks.

We literally already HAVE a white Flyin' Illini one that was worn as recently as six years ago ... it would be so easy. And clearly Nike has gone to the trouble of ALMOST making an orange Script throwback ... just get it done!
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don't know how legit the orange script jersey is. I do know that someone is actually manufacturing it though (as opposed to just being a design concept) because I've seen them out in the wild.

But like you said, we DO for sure have the white Flyin Illini alts somewhere in the arsenal. I would agree there seems to be some kind of restriction that limits us to:

1 regular home
1 regular away
1 regular alt
1 throwback home
1 throwback away

And if that is the case, then I do like the decision to roll with the white script and orange Flyin Illini sets as our two throwbacks.
 
#380      

Illini IndyCar Fan

Illini IndyCar Fan
Illini IndyCar Fan
Fighter of the Nightman said:
It seems so weird we would have those available for sale (and clearly Nike!) yet not have the actual orange script jerseys to wear. If you will notice, those actually have a slightly inferior font and no white outline. I HAVE to believe there is some annoying logistical or contractual holdup here, because it is otherwise bewildering that the geniuses at Nike do not give us white/orange/blue versions of both throwbacks.

We literally already HAVE a white Flyin' Illini one that was worn as recently as six years ago ... it would be so easy. And clearly Nike has gone to the trouble of ALMOST making an orange Script throwback ... just get it done!
Click to expand...
Those orange script throwbacks aren’t officially for sale by Nike. You’re just seeing fans who bought them from the overseas counterfeit shops (same with the white Fighting Illini throwbacks).

Were the orange script throwbacks even a real thing? I know there’s a fantasy jersey design by a fan that’s shown up here and elsewhere that the counterfeit shops actually copied and have available for sale.
 
#381      

Illini IndyCar Fan

Illini IndyCar Fan
Illini IndyCar Fan
IlliniKat91 said:
They wouldn't put the swoosh on it if it wasn't Nike. Nike is way too quick to sue. It doesn't look polished because they don't have the accents (and they likely didn't bother because they wanted to make cash first and foremost).
Click to expand...
I’m not going to link to it, but the counterfeit shops sell that orange script template, as well as a fantasy jersey designed by a fan … and both have Nike logos on them.

Has that orange script template ever shown up on anything official?
 
#382      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Illini IndyCar Fan said:
Those orange script throwbacks aren’t officially for sale by Nike. You’re just seeing fans who bought them from the overseas counterfeit shops (same with the white Fighting Illini throwbacks).

Were the orange script throwbacks even a real thing? I know there’s a fantasy jersey design by a fan that’s shown up here and elsewhere that the counterfeit shops actually copied and have available for sale.
Click to expand...
The orange Script jersey I posted is from a picture a fan took at some type of Illini hall of fame exhibit or something like that ... in other words, we DID wear that orange jersey during the same era where we wore the orange Script one. You'd think when we decided to add that throwback to the arsenal, we would have wanted both colors...

21ChampaignSt said:
Yeah, I don't know how legit the orange script jersey is. I do know that someone is actually manufacturing it though (as opposed to just being a design concept) because I've seen them out in the wild.

But like you said, we DO for sure have the white Flyin Illini alts somewhere in the arsenal. I would agree there seems to be some kind of restriction that limits us to:

1 regular home
1 regular away
1 regular alt
1 throwback home
1 throwback away

And if that is the case, then I do like the decision to roll with the white script and orange Flyin Illini sets as our two throwbacks.
Click to expand...
Agreed, but my frustration is that our "regular" does not have to also look NEW. Indiana, Michigan, Kansas, Kentucky, etc. don't wear "throwback" jerseys, but their regular jerseys are classic! Make the Flyin' Illini ones the "regular" and the Scripts as the "throwback" and call it a day! This is so right in front of our face and obvious that I am truly perplexed that someone who actually gets PAID for so-called expertise continues to think it's a good idea to keep our current regulars and not burn them and try to forget they ever existed, lol.
 
#383      

IlliniKat91

IlliniKat91
Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
Illini IndyCar Fan said:
I’m not going to link to it, but the counterfeit shops sell that orange script template, as well as a fantasy jersey designed by a fan … and both have Nike logos on them.

Has that orange script template ever shown up on anything official?
Click to expand...
I'm genuinely surprised Nike lawyers haven't sued them to within an inch of their lives. They're litigious as hell.

I'd have to ask how you define official. We absolutely had an orange script uni in the 70s. It's on display at SFC. We just have an updated white version for now.

Edited to attach a photo of the jersey I mean
 

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#384      

Illini in Italy

Illini in Italy
Illini in Italy
Fighter of the Nightman said:
The orange Script jersey I posted is from a picture a fan took at some type of Illini hall of fame exhibit or something like that ... in other words, we DID wear that orange jersey during the same era where we wore the orange Script one. You'd think when we decided to add that throwback to the arsenal, we would have wanted both colors...


Agreed, but my frustration is that our "regular" does not have to also look NEW. Indiana, Michigan, Kansas, Kentucky, etc. don't wear "throwback" jerseys, but their regular jerseys are classic! Make the Flyin' Illini ones the "regular" and the Scripts as the "throwback" and call it a day! This is so right in front of our face and obvious that I am truly perplexed that someone who actually gets PAID for so-called expertise continues to think it's a good idea to keep our current regulars and not burn them and try to forget they ever existed, lol.
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As one who is not a big fan of the script, I am 100% on board with your recommendation.

Moderating GIF
 
#385      

redwingillini11

redwingillini11
White and Sixth
North Aurora
redwingillini11
I really don't know what is the perfect formula. I think we need to start getting the 2005 era represented in our rotation. I guess I would be fine if that was orange only, although I think the whites can also pop very well if done right. But our script and Flyin Illini whites are both so good I think we we would be fine with the two throwback whites we have had. For orange, I think we should have 89 and 05. The script would be solid too but I think 89 and 05 is the perfect combo to have for orange. We probably have to have a blue. Aesthetically, our current blues I think are our best blues we have ever had. Unfortunately, they are beyond cursed... Not sure the blues stand out in any previous era. Maybe the 05 era blues are a candidate for our sole blue option?

Regular home: Script white
Regular away: 2005 orange
Primary throwback: 1989 orange
Home alternate: 1989 white
Road alternate: 2005 blue or something like these:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1711836744230871417
 
#386      

IlliniCaboose

IlliniCaboose
IlliniCaboose
I have more than a couple knockoff jerseys I got while in college. Various sites (aliexpress comes to mind) would have free shipping over a certain amount so me and like 5 friends would buy a couple for like $20 a piece and they would always have the Nike or Reebok logo. The quality was surprisingly good. Not sure if the demand for University of Illinois throwbacks is great enough for them to bother with those though.
 
#387      

Toews

Toews
Toews
lol. I could open your eyes to so many fake jerseys with Nike logos it would have your head spin.
IlliniKat91 said:
They wouldn't put the swoosh on it if it wasn't Nike. Nike is way too quick to sue. It doesn't look polished because they don't have the accents (and they likely didn't bother because they wanted to make cash first and foremost).
Click to expand...
 
#388      

Toews

Toews
Toews
Not a bad thing but a lot of people telling on themselves that they don't know how the fake jersey market works.
 
#390      

SoCal Illini

S
SoCal Illini
redwingillini11 said:
I really don't know what is the perfect formula. I think we need to start getting the 2005 era represented in our rotation. I guess I would be fine if that was orange only, although I think the whites can also pop very well if done right. But our script and Flyin Illini whites are both so good I think we we would be fine with the two throwback whites we have had. For orange, I think we should have 89 and 05. The script would be solid too but I think 89 and 05 is the perfect combo to have for orange. We probably have to have a blue. Aesthetically, our current blues I think are our best blues we have ever had. Unfortunately, they are beyond cursed... Not sure the blues stand out in any previous era. Maybe the 05 era blues are a candidate for our sole blue option?

Regular home: Script white
Regular away: 2005 orange
Primary throwback: 1989 orange
Home alternate: 1989 white
Road alternate: 2005 blue or something like these:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1711836744230871417
Click to expand...
Now put that ‘Illini’ font in blue with white outline on football helmets… basketball thread I know
 
#391      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
redwingillini11 said:
I really don't know what is the perfect formula. I think we need to start getting the 2005 era represented in our rotation. I guess I would be fine if that was orange only, although I think the whites can also pop very well if done right. But our script and Flyin Illini whites are both so good I think we we would be fine with the two throwback whites we have had. For orange, I think we should have 89 and 05. The script would be solid too but I think 89 and 05 is the perfect combo to have for orange. We probably have to have a blue. Aesthetically, our current blues I think are our best blues we have ever had. Unfortunately, they are beyond cursed... Not sure the blues stand out in any previous era. Maybe the 05 era blues are a candidate for our sole blue option?

Regular home: Script white
Regular away: 2005 orange
Primary throwback: 1989 orange
Home alternate: 1989 white
Road alternate: 2005 blue or something like these:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1711836744230871417
Click to expand...
It’s shockingly difficult to find a (good) photo, but the Flyin’ Illini blues are frickin’ awesome, IMO.
 
#394      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
While we all seem to love the throwbacks (even if you don't love both, I have never met a fan who doesn't love at least one of them!), and there are also certain jerseys that seem to get a disproportionate amount of hate, as well (e.g., the two-color font or the current defaults). However, what Illini jersey do you find particularly underrated? Doesn't mean it's great, maybe just a bit overlooked!

As I was back at my parents' house this weekend, I saw my 2007 Illini basketball poster in my room ... and I have to say these were fairly underrated jerseys for that era:

3406685414.jpg


Again, not amazing ... but a way more traditional look than what we'd get for 2008 and on, still retained some similarities to the 2001-2006 era and were unique enough to not blend in (I can't remember the reaction to the zig zag waistband, but it was a decent try to honor the Chief). I feel like these jerseys couldn't decided if they wanted to be traditional or modern, but that's better than what we have now!
 
#396      

Illini IndyCar Fan

Illini IndyCar Fan
Illini IndyCar Fan
IlliniKat91 said:
I'm genuinely surprised Nike lawyers haven't sued them to within an inch of their lives. They're litigious as hell.

I'd have to ask how you define official. We absolutely had an orange script uni in the 70s. It's on display at SFC. We just have an updated white version for now.

Edited to attach a photo of the jersey I mean
Click to expand...
I’m talking about this one … I’ve never seen this design anywhere except on fans social media (and here), and the overseas jersey sites. Was this used anywhere “official” (official Illini social media, worn in a game, etc)?
 

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#397      

IlliniKat91

IlliniKat91
Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
Illini IndyCar Fan said:
I’m talking about this one … I’ve never seen this design anywhere except on fans social media (and here), and the overseas jersey sites. Was this used anywhere “official” (official Illini social media, worn in a game, etc)?
Click to expand...
Gotcha. No, I don't believe it was but @Fighter of the Nightman seems to be our resident jersey expert. If they were ever worn, I'd put money on him knowing.
 
#398      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
Fighter of the Nightman said:
While we all seem to love the throwbacks (even if you don't love both, I have never met a fan who doesn't love at least one of them!), and there are also certain jerseys that seem to get a disproportionate amount of hate, as well (e.g., the two-color font or the current defaults). However, what Illini jersey do you find particularly underrated? Doesn't mean it's great, maybe just a bit overlooked!

As I was back at my parents' house this weekend, I saw my 2007 Illini basketball poster in my room ... and I have to say these were fairly underrated jerseys for that era:

3406685414.jpg


Again, not amazing ... but a way more traditional look than what we'd get for 2008 and on, still retained some similarities to the 2001-2006 era and were unique enough to not blend in (I can't remember the reaction to the zig zag waistband, but it was a decent try to honor the Chief). I feel like these jerseys couldn't decided if they wanted to be traditional or modern, but that's better than what we have now!
Click to expand...

Holy flashback, I had that on my dorm room wall once upon a time. Richard Semrau lived on my floor.
 
#399      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
IlliniKat91 said:
Gotcha. No, I don't believe it was but @Fighter of the Nightman seems to be our resident jersey expert. If they were ever worn, I'd put money on him knowing.
Click to expand...
I've never seen 'em! Another poster included a picture of our ACTUAL orange Script jerseys from back in the day earlier in this thread ... again, it blows my mind we went to the trouble of recreating the white Script jerseys and the orange Flyin' Illini jerseys but didn't do the other colors. I am beginning to have an irrational hatred for whatever tone-deaf individual at Nike insists that we keep wearing our regular rags, haha.
 
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