Notre Dame, NU to play in Chicago Invitational
The field has been set for the fourth annual Chicago Invitational Challenge men's basketball tournament at the Sears Centre Arena this fall, and Notre Dame and Northwestern will provide the local flavor in the eight-team tourney.
Joining those Big East and Big Ten schools will be Iowa State University, Saint Louis University, Liberty, Mississippi Valley State, Tennessee State, and Kennesaw State.
Notre Dame (21-15) will be led by forward and All-Big East player Luke Harangody (22.3 pg), who has decided to return for his senior season. Along side Harangody will be two highly recruited transfers: Scott Martin from Purdue and Ben Hansbrough from Mississippi State.
Iowa State (15-17) returns a talented young squad including All-Big 12 performer junior center Craig Brackins (20.2 ppg). Joining the all-American candidate will be junior guards Diante Garrett (9.8 ppg) and Lucca Staiger (8.2 ppg).
Northwestern (17-14) will be focused on making its first NCAA appearance with the return of senior forward Kevin Coble (15.5 ppg), junior guard Michael Thompson (9.9 ppg) and sophomore forward John Shurna (7.3 ppg).
The Saint Louis University Billikins (18-14) return one of the youngest team in America. Led by three sophomores - Kwamain Mitchell (11 ppg), Willie Reed (7.7 ppg), and Brian Conklin (6.1 ppg) - the Billikins look to compete for this year's Atlantic 10 crown.
Chicago Invitational Challenge
What: 8-team college men's basketball tournament
Teams: Notre Dame, Northwestern, Iowa State, Saint Louis, Liberty, Mississippi Valley State, Tennessee State, and Kennesaw State
When: Final rounds Nov. 27-28 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates
• Rounds one and two at Notre Dame, Iowa State, Northwestern, and Saint Louis
Sears Centre tickets: Passes for all eight games are $109 for floor seats, $98 for club level, $87 for lower bowl, and $65 for upper bowl. Tickets are available at participating schools ticket office, and beginning Saturday through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, online at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and at the Sears Centre Arena Box Office.
On the Web: searscentre.com