When you think about dressing up for gameday, football usually comes to mind. Basketball? Not so much. Whether it’s the fact there are no tailgates beforehand or it’s just so darn cold you wear enough layers to look like the kid from A Christmas Story just so you can stay warm, basketball games are not dressed up affairs. I think it’s time we change that and the Midwest can set the tone.
Over the next few weeks I’ll highlight some of the Midwestern rivalry games taking place. Each game will feature schools that weren’t covered in the fall because it shouldn’t just be the big time football programs that get all the attention (even if today is National Signing Day).
First up is Saturday’s DePaul-Marquette match up. The rivalry stems from similarity. Both universities are urban, Catholics schools separated by less than 100 miles that used to play in Conference USA before moving to the Big East (and reportedly breaking off with the rest of the Catholic Seven in the near future). Toss in the fact that former DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright is the director of basketball operations and I wouldn’t blame you if you couldn’t keep the two straight. The two schools have played each other over 100 times, dating back to 1917-1918 season (which is notable since DePaul didn’t hire its first coach until 1923) with Marquette holding the lead in the series. Given their records (DePaul is 10-11, Marquette is 15-5), DePaul’s current seven-game losing streak and recent history of the two programs you wouldn’t expect much of a game, but don’t tell that to anyone who witnessed Mike Stovall’s 2010 buzzer beater to lift the 7-14 Blue Demons over the 11-6 Golden Eagles.
Pennington & Bailes Coach’s Shirt / Collared Greens Skippers Bow Tie / Chicago Belt Co Original Belt / Bonobos Blue Bloods / Richer Poorer Walk On Socks / Austen Heller Red Rovers
High Cotton Ties Red and Old Blue Tattersall Headband / Canvas Lands’ End Kensington Oxford / BaubleBar Red Enamel Bangle / J.Crew Factory Skinny Jean / Hunter Original Tall Gloss Boots
Peter Millar Nano-Luxe Royal Oxford / Brooks Brothers Dot Repp Tie / Knot Belt Co Leatherback Tabbed BYOB Belt / Vineyard Vines Breaker Pants / Kentwool 19th Hole Collection Socks / Allen Edmonds Custom Neumoks
Lilly Pulitzer Heidi Cardigan / Banana Republic Oxford / Fornash Two Tone Natalie Necklace / J. Crew Scout Chino / Tory Burch Polished Patent Reva Ballet Flat
Note: Several of these items may be purchased together at Country Club Prep.
You totally missed the Governor’s Stripe Key Fob for Marquette fans at Knot Belt Co.
Solid choice. Had my eye set on the BYOB belt (I hear Milwaukee’s known for beer or something) and didn’t notice anything else.