May 31, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State's men's basketball team will be one of seven programs competing in the 2nd Annual Chicago Invitational Challenge at the brand new Sears Centre over Thanksgiving weekend, officials announced Thursday.
In the third round of the tournament, the Redbirds will face Indiana on Friday, Nov. 23 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Hoosiers advanced to the second round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, where they dropped a 54-49 decision to second-seeded UCLA. Illinois State will play either Xavier or Kent State in the championship round on Nov. 24.
"We are very excited about the opportunity to play so close to home in Chicago, and to play against one of the elite programs in the nation," said head coach Tim Jankovich. "We see this opportunity as a total positive for our program."
Rounds one and two will be played at Indiana, Xavier, Illinois State and Kent State, with the final rounds being played at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. ISU's opponents in the opening two rounds are still yet to be determined.
Tickets are available beginning Friday (June 1) at the Sears Centre Box Office, by phone at 1-888-SEARSTIX, and online at www.searscentre.com. All-session tournament pass prices are $109 for floor seats, $98 for club level, $87 for lower bowl, and $65 for upper bowl.
Other participants in the challenge include North Carolina-Wilmington, Longwood, Southeast Missouri State and Coppin State.
