Chicago Invitational update....

These games are in Chicago the weekend after Thanksgiving...the other 2 games associated with this are played in Hilton the Sunday & Tuesday before Thanksgiving against Miss Valley State & Tenn State.

That's what I was thinking. Having the Chicago games right after Thanksgiving is what makes the whole thing conceivably possible for us to make it.
 
I heard from a source yesterday that the organizers of this tourney plan on moving it to the UIC Pavillion instead of the Sears Center.

This is great news for people who actually live in Chicago, because it will be much more accessible. The Sears Center is such a long way out in the burbs they shouldn't even call it the "Chicago Invitational."

Anyway, just thought I'd give the heads up to those planning their travel early as I didn't see this news announced here yet.
 
Great. UIC Pavillion capacity is 10,000, much better option than Welsh-Ryan Arena (home of Northwestern Wildcat basketball), which is a dump, and only holds 8,000 or so.
 
Great. UIC Pavillion capacity is 10,000, much better option than Welsh-Ryan Arena (home of Northwestern Wildcat basketball), which is a dump, and only holds 8,000 or so.


I think the ISU women are already playing at Northwestern that same weekend...
 
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These were my thoughts exactly. Plus, I can't imagine ISU bringing more than 5,000 or 6,000 fans, so hopefully we can beat out Northwestern and ND fans for the seats.

Great. UIC Pavillion capacity is 10,000, much better option than Welsh-Ryan Arena (home of Northwestern Wildcat basketball), which is a dump, and only holds 8,000 or so.

In respect to location, the Pavillion is geographically closer to Midway, but if you were to literally fly out and fly in on the same day, I would go to O'Hare because the Blue Line trains run directly from O'Hare to the UIC Pavillion stop (about a 50 min. ride). Plus, it's only $2.25, which beats the heck out of cab fare or rental car.
 
Because our out of conference SOS would take a real kick to the shorts. Yeah, it's nice facing Duke, but that Chicago Invitational was going to be real helpful when March rolls around...


When was the last time our SOS mattered when March rolled around? Sorry, but I'll believe we have a post-season shot when I see it.
 
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I heard from a source yesterday that the organizers of this tourney plan on moving it to the UIC Pavillion instead of the Sears Center.

This is great news for people who actually live in Chicago, because it will be much more accessible. The Sears Center is such a long way out in the burbs they shouldn't even call it the "Chicago Invitational."

Anyway, just thought I'd give the heads up to those planning their travel early as I didn't see this news announced here yet.

UIC pavillion is kind of a dump, but it is very close to downtown chicago and public transportation. Also, Colvin's probably played dozens of games there - he should feel right at home. And hopefully all the Chicago recruits we're after will make it to the games - location much better for that too!
 
I wonder what you will have to do if you already have tickets. We have 1st row on the floor, and just made my hotel resv. today at a hotel about 1 mile away from sears centre. Oh well, still will be a great time!!
 
When was the last time our SOS mattered when March rolled around? Sorry, but I'll believe we have a post-season shot when I see it.

Regardless, if this tourney was cancelled we'd be scrambling to find some cupcake opponent or no opponent at all. No matter what you think about the team's post-season chances it would suck to lose the tourney. Looks like it will still happen though.
 
I wonder what you will have to do if you already have tickets. We have 1st row on the floor, and just made my hotel resv. today at a hotel about 1 mile away from sears centre. Oh well, still will be a great time!!

I was wondering about this too. This could be a real headache for the Tournament organizers. I really don't know what they'll do. I've never seen a situation like this before.

Also, I wonder if they'll change the ticket prices for the new venue? I've been waiting to buy my tickets, but now the uncertainty of the situation delays my decision. Plus, the tickets offered to the public still list the Sears Center I believe.
 
I wonder what you will have to do if you already have tickets. We have 1st row on the floor, and just made my hotel resv. today at a hotel about 1 mile away from sears centre. Oh well, still will be a great time!!

Where did you get tickets? I don't remember that being an option when I renewed my season tickets.
 
Where did you get tickets? I don't remember that being an option when I renewed my season tickets.

It wasn't. You'd have to buy them through the Sears Centre, or maybe Ticketmaster (but I think just the first one).

I'd hate for this to fall apart. I don't know that revkah and I could do it, but we were really looking forward to this as our little vacation.
 
Regardless, if this tourney was cancelled we'd be scrambling to find some cupcake opponent or no opponent at all. No matter what you think about the team's post-season chances it would suck to lose the tourney. Looks like it will still happen though.

Is this an exempt tourney? I'm not saying it wouldn't suck to not play these games, but I don't follow the SOS importance. If we play Notre Dame, St. Louis and/or Northwestern and lose, how is that better for postseason chances than playing a couple cupcakes and winning?
 

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