Chicago Invitational Challenge

The Chicago Invitational Challenge was an annual early-season NCAA Division I college basketball tournament held around Thanksgiving week. The first offering was during the 2006–07 season with the last occurring during the 2011–12 season.

For the format of the tournament, the first two games were hosted at on-campus venues, with the semifinal and final rounds being contested as two distinct four-team brackets (designated as Upper and Lower, with both a championship and consolation game held for each) at a central location. Throughout the duration of the challenge (excluding 2009) the semifinal and final rounds were held at the Sears Centre Arena (currently named NOW® Arena) in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. In 2009 the village of Hoffman Estates acquired the Sears Centre Arena through a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure process; because of this, that iteration was moved to UIC Pavilion (currently named Credit Union 1 Arena) in Chicago, Illinois.

The tournament was owned and operated by Basketball Tournaments, Inc.

Tournament history

Champions

Brackets

<nowiki>*</nowiki> – Denotes overtime period

2011

Eleventh ranked Wisconsin won the final edition of the tournament 73–56 victory over BYU.

First and Second Rounds

<small>First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites</small>

Championship Round

2010

Richmond was crowned champions of the 2010 Chicago Invitational Challenge as the Spiders upset tenth ranked Purdue 65–54.

First and Second Rounds

<small>First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites</small>

Championship Round

2009

With the temporary closing of Sears Centre Arena on October 1, 2009, The fourth annual Chicago Invitational Challenge was moved to UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Iowa State 67–65 in the championship game.

First and Second Rounds

<small>First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites</small>

Championship Round

2008

The third Chicago Invitational Challenge was held in a non-bracket format for the upper bracket, with matchups set prior to the tournament, the lower bracket was still held as a four team tournament.

First and Second Rounds

<small>First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites</small>

Championship Round

2007

Xavier won the second Chicago Invitational Challenge defeating eighth ranked Indiana 80-65 in the championship game.

First and Second Rounds

<small>First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites</small>

Championship Round

2006

Illinois won the inaugural Chicago Invitational Challenge defeating Bradley 75–71 in the championship game.

First and Second Rounds

<small>First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites</small>

Championship Round

References