MILWAUKEE -- One of the perks of being a Jordan Brand school is getting to wear the latest and greatest in footwear before it hits the shelves.
Marquette is one of four college basketball teams that will debut the new Air Jordan XX8s, as the Golden Eagles will wear the "Blue Camo” version for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh. The shoes are a little different-looking to say the least, sort of an odd combination of a sock-like top and shoe-like bottom.
North Carolina debuted the Blue Camo Air Jordan XX8s on Wednesday against Duke, and California will wear the Blue Camos on Thursday against UCLA.
Georgetown is the only team wearing the Black/Electric Green version of the shoes, with the Hoyas sporting them Friday against Cincinnati.
Called the most tested and lightest Air Jordan shoe to date, the Air Jordan XX8 will be unveiled to the public Friday in Houston at NBA All-Star weekend. The shoes will then go on sale nationwide on Saturday for a suggested retail price of $250.
The outside of the shoe is made of Schoeller mesh, a Swiss fabric that's most commonly used in premium motorcycle jackets.
The brand's namesake – Michael Jordan – had creative input on the shoes.
Earlier this season, the Golden Eagles introduced special baby blue camouflage uniforms that were intended to be worn in the Carrier Classic, but the game was cancelled due to condensation on the court. Marquette had to receive permission from the NCAA to wear the uniforms in its next game against Colgate, so it's unlikely the Golden Eagles will match their shoes with those uniforms during Saturday's game.
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