Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

33° Evanston, IL
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

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NU players dish about their distinct accessories

Among WildSide regulars, Northwestern guard Evan Seacat is known as much for the white knee-length socks he sports as the 3-pointers he attempts. But Seacat doesn’t just wear the socks for style. They’re good luck.

“Last year I wasn’t shooting well, so me and T.J. (Parker) decided we should try something different,” Seacat said. “So we both decided to wear long socks at the Indiana game away last year.”

The tall socks seemed to have worked their magic. Seacat scored six points in 21 minutes that night against the Hoosiers. Still, he admits there’s a more aesthetic reason for the socks.

“Plus my legs aren’t the darkest, so it covers up my whiteness,” said the blond, fair-skinned athlete.

For Seacat and some of his NU teammates, looking good on the court is only slightly less important than playing well. Just ask guard Tim Doyle, whose preoccupation with gelling his hair rivals that of “Full House’s” Uncle Jesse.

“I’ve been asked if I have the best hair in the Big Ten, but I just always want to look neat for the camera,” Doyle said. “I mean, a lot of people are watching me back home, and I want to look presentable and shave. Plus there’s a lot of people at the games — there’s girls at the games.”

To some players, making sure they look groomed is crucial to impress potential dates.

“The way I look and maybe comb my hair is definitely an advantage,” Doyle said. “I look more like an altar boy or a mailman compared to a standard basketball player. Most basketball players have, you know, really short haircuts or shaved heads. I’m like the opposite end of the spectrum.”

Parker distinguishes himself by wearing an extra shirt under his jersey. But his reasons relate to comfort, not fashion.

“I just don’t like the jersey feel on my skin,” the guard said.

Also, senior Michael Jenkins’ distinctive headband helps make him a crowd favorite.

Before Wednesday’s Senior Night game against Michigan State, white headbands with “#5 Jenkins” printed on them were distributed to the student sections in tribute to him.

As a team, NU’s style is unlike other Division I basketball teams because the Cats don’t wear the same style of Adidas shoes on the court.

“I always like to go with the plain white, or common white, because it makes you look faster or quicker, because I am not fast or quick,” Doyle said. “It’s just for perception.”

Vukusic, though, chooses his shoes based on how much support the sides and soles provide.

For the Cats, looking good gives them confidence — which they say translates into better performances on the court.

“My high school coach would never let me wear long socks,” Seacat said. “But here, they don’t care … whatever it takes to play well, they’ll let you do that.”

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
NU players dish about their distinct accessories