| Chicago Invitational Challenge | |
| Sport: | College Basketball |
| Country: | United States |
| Venue: | Sears Centre Arena, Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
| Teams: | 8 |
| Champion: | Wisconsin Badgers |
| Champ Season: | 2011 |
The Chicago Invitational Challenge was an annual early-season college basketball tournament that took place around Thanksgiving week Division I college basketball tournament is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place Thanksgiving week. The Chicago Invitational Challenge was first held during the 2006-07 season, the final event occurred during the 2011–12 season. For the format of the tournament the opening two rounds were played on campus sites, The semifinals and finals were contested using a 4 team tournament with a 3rd place game. Throughout the duration of the tournament expect in 2009 the semifinal and final rounds were played at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, In 2009 the village of Hoffman Estates, Illinois acquired the NOW Arena[1] (formerly Sears Centre Arena) through a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure process, as a result the 2009 was Chicago Invitational Challenge was moved to UIC Pavilion. The tournament was owned and operated by Basketball Tournaments, Inc.
| Year | Teams | |
| 2006 | Illinois | |
| 2007 | Xavier | |
| 2009 | Northwestern | |
| 2010 | Richmond | |
| 2011 | Wisconsin |
* – Denotes overtime period
Eleventh ranked Wisconsin won the final edition of the tournament 73–56 victory over BYU.[2]
First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites
Richmond was crowned champions of the 2010 Chicago Invitational Challenge as the Spiders upset tenth ranked Purdue 65–54.[3] [4]
First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites
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.[5] [6] Northwestern defeated Iowa State 67–65 in the championship game.[7] [8]
First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites
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 Round Game played at on campus sites
Xavier won the second Chicago Invitational Challenge defeating eighth ranked Indiana 80-65 in the championship game.[9] [10]
First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites
Illinois won the inaugural Chicago Invitational Challenge defeating Bradley 75–71 in the championship game.[11] [12]
First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites