DePaul's coach Oliver Purnell promotes a Chicago Tournament

[tornado]

He's talking Loyola, UIC, Chicago State, Northwestern, & DePaul...
all in some organized Chicago Tourney somewhere in the future..

"the idea of a men's college basketball tournament in Chicago genuinely intrigues Purnell..
So sure, I'd be interested. Just throwing it out as an idea. It's an interesting idea. I'm sure logistics have to be worked out ??¦ but sure, I'd be interested."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-1103-city-college-basketball--20101102,0,4337870.story

[tornado]

Here's more -- looks like this idea is very quickly gaining steam and acceptance.......

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5757553

[amckillip]

They can battle to see who the best of the worst in the state is!!

Seriously, looking at the list it's pretty shocking to see those are the teams in Chicago. Northwestern is the best program at the moment (I know DePaul has 'histoyr' but that clearly isn't the case now), and NU has never even made it to the tourney. Maybe include Notre Dame to get some more interest??

[BUBraves06]

Here's more -- looks like this idea is very quickly gaining steam and acceptance.......
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5757553

I was surprised by Carmody's quotes in this article. I would think he would be in favor of this idea if only for the simple fact that it will promote more interest in the Northwestern basketball which is far from being a popular destination for "big-time" Chicago recruits.

[tornado]

Here's a little hint that efforts to organize a CHICAGO TOURNAMENT may still be ongoing...
something's happening, as it is unusual for two or more schools to be advertising TOGETHER to land opponents....but that's what's happening...

... it appears UIC assistant Al Biancalana is involved in trying to get or beg a couple teams into coming into Chicago and being part of this...
"Weekend in Chicago"..

Apparently they want a couple low-level, guarantee patsies so everyone involved might have a decent shot to get at least one guaranteed win...kinda like they do with those Las Vegas Tourneys -- where the Kennesaw States and Presbyterians are the fall guys...so maybe then they'd expand it to include DePaul, Chicago State, or others...

Anyway -- things are going slow enough that Al is advertising for anyone -- even reportedly D-II schools who are desperate enough to take the bait...

Illinois-Chicago Al Biancalana 630-388-9380 albianca @uic.edu
WEEKEND IN CHICAGO - TWO GAME SWING!
The University of Illinois-Chicago and Loyola University are looking for a team
wanting to come to Chicago for a two-game swing. This will be a combined
negotiated guarantee opportunity. Come play UIC on Saturday, December 17,
2011 and then play at Loyola University on Monday, December 19, 2011. If
interested, contact Al Biancalana at either albianca @uic.edu or 630-388-9380
Guarantee - Offered, 2011-2012


They're also looking for a game or two for themselves...

llinois-Chicago Al Biancalana 630-388-9380 albianca @uic.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) of the Horizon League is looking to
schedule a home guarantee game here in Chicago. The date we are looking at
is Saturday, December 17, 2011. Other dates are possible. Campus is close to
Midway Airport. Competitive guarantee offered. Could also schedule a 2 for 1
with the guarantee game on the front end. Contact Al Biancalana at either
630-388-9380 or albianca @uic.edu
Guarantee - Offered, 2011-2012


llinois-Chicago Al Biancalana 630-388-9380 albianca @uic.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago is looking for a guarantee game in 2011. Dates
available from December 13 to December 20. Competitive guarantee offered.
Please contact Al Biancalana at 630-388-9380.
Guarantee - Offered, 2011-2012

http://bti.sportshd.com/mens_schedule_board?tid_1=All&tid_2=1&university=All

(Bradley/Jaden Uken are also looking for a game or two)

[DUBulldog]

Here's a little hint that efforts to organize a CHICAGO TOURNAMENT may still be ongoing...
something's happening, as it is unusual for two or more schools to be advertising TOGETHER to land opponents....but that's what's happening...

... it appears UIC assistant Al Biancalana is involved in trying to get or beg a couple teams into coming into Chicago and being part of this...
"Weekend in Chicago"..

Apparently they want a couple low-level, guarantee patsies so everyone involved might have a decent shot to get at least one guaranteed win...kinda like they do with those Las Vegas Tourneys -- where the Kennesaw States and Presbyterians are the fall guys...so maybe then they'd expand it to include DePaul, Chicago State, or others...

Anyway -- things are going slow enough that Al is advertising for anyone -- even reportedly D-II schools who are desperate enough to take the bait...

Illinois-Chicago Al Biancalana 630-388-9380 albianca @uic.edu
WEEKEND IN CHICAGO - TWO GAME SWING!
The University of Illinois-Chicago and Loyola University are looking for a team
wanting to come to Chicago for a two-game swing. This will be a combined
negotiated guarantee opportunity. Come play UIC on Saturday, December 17,
2011 and then play at Loyola University on Monday, December 19, 2011. If
interested, contact Al Biancalana at either albianca @uic.edu or 630-388-9380
Guarantee - Offered, 2011-2012


They're also looking for a game or two for themselves...

llinois-Chicago Al Biancalana 630-388-9380 albianca @uic.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) of the Horizon League is looking to
schedule a home guarantee game here in Chicago. The date we are looking at
is Saturday, December 17, 2011. Other dates are possible. Campus is close to
Midway Airport. Competitive guarantee offered. Could also schedule a 2 for 1
with the guarantee game on the front end. Contact Al Biancalana at either
630-388-9380 or albianca @uic.edu
Guarantee - Offered, 2011-2012


llinois-Chicago Al Biancalana 630-388-9380 albianca @uic.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago is looking for a guarantee game in 2011. Dates
available from December 13 to December 20. Competitive guarantee offered.
Please contact Al Biancalana at 630-388-9380.
Guarantee - Offered, 2011-2012

http://bti.sportshd.com/mens_schedule_board?tid_1=All&tid_2=1&university=All

(Bradley/Jaden Uken are also looking for a game or two)

I'm not sure that what they're advertising for would necessarily be a tournament. It sounds like what Drake and Iowa State have been doing the last couple of years....working together to get teams to travel to both Des Moines and Ames on the same trip, to save travel expenses, which means that both Drake and ISU could potentially have to pay the visiting team less $$ than if that team only had one game in the area.

[Bravesfan]

They can battle to see who the best of the worst in the state is!!

True, but all these teams need some exposure to hopefully attract better recruits in the future. Though I do think Chicago St. is a lost cause, but you never know. Even they can maybe catch lightning in a bottle one of these years.

[BUFanatic]

I like a Valley-B10 Challenge in Chicago.
MVC:
BU
ISU
SIU
B10:
U of I
Northwestern
3rd Rotating Invitee of the Big 10, rotating (Ideally U Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin)

Draw to determine match ups of the first round. Can NOT be Conference-Conference 1st Round. (IE Draw One Valley Team/One B10 Team). Double Elimination after the first round.

EDIT: Oops, just realized I need a fourth paring to make it even. Maybe Invite one more Valley Team and one more Big 10 team on a rotating basis. (2 Rotating B10, 1 Rotating Valley. 2 Guarantee B10, 3 Guarantee Valley)