A new rule for the 2025-26 college basketball season ends the requirement for players’ jerseys to be tucked in. Therefore, should college basketball uniforms be tucked or untucked this season?
It reminds me of women’s uniforms from the 1970s and 1980s, which were untucked versions. Although, they were intentionally trimmed with borders and constructed for wearing outside the shorts. However, this season’s untucked jerseys have the manufacturer’s label on the front left-hand bottom panel and absent a formal border or trim. They are effectively last year’s uniform being worn outside the short.
As a spectator, the tucked uniforms appear neater. As a player, the untucked versions are less restrictive for movement and preferable. Brands and uniform providers can now redesign the jersey tops for both men and women. They can make more money selling new product to teams and merchandise (Merch) to fans.
Besides a neater appearance, a tucked jersey made it harder for an opponent to grab, thereby impeding a player’s progress.
For some teams, like the Connecticut Women’s Basketball, “untucked” jerseys are likely not an option. Its rather a program directive- we tuck in our jerseys. Assistant Coach, Chris Dailey wouldn’t allow anything else. Neatness and presentation matter.
During an ESPN women’s college basketball broadcast of Notre Dame (ND) versus University of Southern California (USC), commentator, Rebecca Lobo asks announcer, Ryan Ruocco the tucked versus untucked jersey question. Without hesitating, they both unanimously said “TUCKED.” Both citing a neater appearance. USC’s were ill-fitting. Also featuring the large manufacturer’s label prominently in the front bottom. Without a slight flare, USC’s were designed to be tucked in. On the other hand, ND wore their jerseys untucked. However, the ND uniform was slightly shorter, slightly flared, with two “caret-like” notches on both left and right sides. No large manufacturer’s label. They were designed for wearing outside the short. ND’s untucked jersey looked neater than USC’s.
Conversely, during the same broadcast, the referee analyst, Dee Kantner, said “UNTUCKED.” From a referee’s perspective, the untucked jersey eliminated enforcement of prior rules. Dee Kantner favored the rule change. Dee cited different jerseys, different body types, its an impossible chore for monitoring by a referee. Prior years, an untucked uniform following a warning would result in a technical foul. That meant free throws and possession for an opponent.
Others weigh in on tucked versus untucked uniforms. A University of Connecticut sports blog, The Boneyard, took up the topic. One fan opined that “its a worldwide trend of everything going ‘casual’.” Citing casual weddings and funerals. Another Boneyarder spouted “I don’t care if its tucked in or left out, everyone must be wearing the same UNIFORM.” Another blogger mentioned that overseas leagues do not require a tuck-in, as foreign players commonly enter the court untucked. The Muse never noticed this trend, but, perhaps its true.
The Muse does wonder, what would former WNBA and UCONN player Morgan Tuck choose – a tucked or untucked uniform? Being of UCONN descent and now a WNBA General Manager of the Connecticut Sun, the Muse is going with a tucked in uniform for Morgan Tuck. Professionalism, neatness, and presentation likely matter to this executive.
While researching this topic of tucked versus untucked college basketball uniforms, The Muse stumbles into a blogger, Paul Lukas, who has created “Uni Watch,” a column devoted to uniform design. Its rich with copious minutiae and detail. Worth a read.
Better still is Paul Lukas’ Uni Watch: to tuck or not to tuck, an ESPN article appearing March 14, 2014. Its a terrific compilation of the tucked versus untucked jersey situation. The uniform history is comprehensive and Lukas’ observation remain true.
In a nutshell, Paul Lukas cites the obvious, “who tucks in their shirt when playing sports, or when doing any other physical activity?” Its all about freedom of movement. The thinking behind the tuck regulations is conveying class, dignity, status and respect. CT’s Chris Dailey certainly subscribes to this approach. Marquette University men’s basketball went untucked in the late 1970s. The NCAA eventually banned untucked jerseys, until this 2025-26 season.
Paul Lukas examines other sports in the untucked jersey debate. The Muse does remember the Chicago White Sox, who wore pajama-styled untucked jerseys from 1976 through 1981. It was the “Leisure Suit” era. The White Sox looked like amateur players from an underhand, slow-pitch beer league. Their owner Bill Veeck was certainly imaginative. His disco demolition night in 1979 was a fan favorite at Comiskey Park.
Why did the NCAA rules committee back off the tucked-in uniform rule? Who knows. Maybe the NCAA figures that there are bigger fish to fry. For instance, Name, Image, and Likeness or NIL particulars, how is that being monitored? Or, sports betting, really, who thought that was a good idea for college athletes? Cross pollinate NIL and sports betting for college athletes, the package would be treated like playing with an unending pile of house money. Why in the world worry about tucked versus untucked uniforms in college basketball, while more significant trends and overtones lurk in college athletics.
Stanly County Lady Comets, New London, North Carolina, 1976. Photo from the Stanly News and Press.
Carol Blazejowski, Montclair State College, Circa 1978. Photo from the National Polish-American Hall of Fame.
Ann Meyers, UCLA, circa 1978. Photo from the UCLA Newsroom.
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