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 YearTeams2006 Illinois2007Xavier2009Northwestern2010Richmond2011Wisconsin

Brackets * – Denotes overtime period

2011 Eleventh ranked Wisconsin won the final edition of the tournament 73–56 victory over BYU.

First and Second Rounds

First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites

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

First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites

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

First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites

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

First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites

Championship Round

2007 Xavier won the second Chicago Invitational Challenge defeating eighth ranked Indiana 80–65 in the championship game.

First and Second Rounds

First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites

Championship Round

2006 Illinois won the inaugural Chicago Invitational Challenge defeating Bradley 75–71 in the championship game.

First and Second Rounds

First and Second Round Game played at on campus sites

Championship Round

References