The NCAA Official Match Ball for 2007 is the Brine Triumph 20-600 ($120).  This royal blue and white PU/latex ball has excellent touch and true flight.  The hurricane graphic has also garnered a great deal of attention.

This is a match ball of the highest quality.  The bladder is natural latex which provides better feel than butyl rubber.  We found the ball to have a consistent feel.  It was very playable with good bounce and consistent flight.  The skin is a polyurethane that has held up to play and weather.

One of the simplest ways to judge the desirability of a ball is to throw it into the pile and see how often players pick it out.  In the case of the Triumph, it is almost every time.  Not only did our testers pick the 600 more often than any other ball, there were at least two attempts to confiscate it by other players on the pitch.

Graphics are the first thing most players notice about a ball.  The Triumph is a combination of the hurricane pattern and a watermark with the traditional Brine triangles.  Both have proven to be scuff resistant.  Interestingly, the watermarks have a different finish.  The watermark is flat, rather than glossy.  This allows it to hold ink better than the typical surface.  It works well for ownership, but would also work well for player signatures an autographs.

Brine, located in Massachusetts, was founded in 1922.  The company grew from a supplier to private schools to an international reputation.  Brine entered the soccer market in the 1960's and has produced the official NCAA championship ball since 1987.  They are responsible for several innovations in the soccer world.  Brine also produces products for lacrosse and field hockey.  Brine is a subsidiary of New Balance.

Statistics

• Weight: 15.3 oz / 434 grams
• Suggested pressure: 11-14 psi
• Tested pressure: 11.5 psi

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