Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, January 10, 2014

Facebook.com/NorthwesternAthletics
Facebook.com/NorthwesternAthletics

Before the 2013-14 season, Northwestern told BTN.com the basketball team expected to debut an alternate uniform during Big Ten play. On Friday, the Wildcats released a new Under Armour "By The Player" uniform that they will wear Sunday vs. Illinois. And, let's just say, the design is head-turning. See pictures of it in this post.

[ MORE: View complete NUSports.com photo gallery ]

Here's another look:

Interesting, right? Remember, while Under Armour designs Northwestern's uniforms, including the football team's much-talked-about patriotic alternate, this uniform was designed completely by the Wildcats.

[ MORE: Read more about how the players designed the look ]

Yes, all that writing and designs mean something to the team. For example, "Pound the Rock" is the team's battle cry, the Chicago skyline reiterates the school is "Chicago's Big Ten Team," and the heart-shaped basketball with the phrase "Love the Game" next to it represents Chris Collins' mantra.

Other designs included:

  • FAMILY, BROTHERHOOD and TRUST: The three words the players and coaches identified as the terms that embody the NU basketball team. They are placed around the school logo on the uniform.
  • JOHN HANCOCK CENTER: Not only a fixture in the Chicago skyline, this building has been the site of many team bonding and recruiting experiences.
  • EH! EH! EH!: As NU takes the court, you will undoubtedly hear the team chanting ?Eh! Eh! Eh!? as they prep for battle.

If you look closely, there's also plenty of random things, like a grill and a steak, to name a couple.

Thoughts, Big Ten fans?

About Brent Yarina BTN.com senior editor Brent Yarina covers football and men's basketball for BTN.com. He writes the popular uniform feature "Clothes Call," which also focuses on the latest cosmetic changes across Big Ten arenas and stadiums. Read all of his work here. You can subscribe to Yarina's RSS feed and follow him on Twitter @BTNBrentYarina.