Marquette in 2008 Chicago Invitational

[Dish]

Marquette will take part in the 2008 Chicago Invitaional (I know this had been rumored). I, for one, love this, as the Sears Centre is 10 minutes from my house.

Dayton, Auburn, and Northern Iowa will be the other four "name" schools. (info courtesy of Katz)

[4thAndState]

Are dates set? I assume November. Sounds like a great getaway for us living in Milwaukee.

[TallTitan34]

Road trip!  A nice 45 minute drive for me!  

I'd expect quite a few students with the Sears Center being about 2 hours from campus plus a large portion of students live in the Chicago area.

[Dish]

Dates are Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th (2008).

I know MU pulled out of talks to be in next years Old Spice Classic. Compared to the Chicago Invitaional field, I wish we would have stayed in it.

Old Spice 2008 Field:
Tennessee
Gonzaga
Maryland
Mich. St.
Wichita St.
Siena
Two TBD

[1990Warrior]

Dates are Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th (2008).

I know MU pulled out of talks to be in next years Old Spice Classic. Compared to the Chicago Invitaional field, I wish we would have stayed in it.

Old Spice 2008 Field:
Tennessee
Gonzaga
Maryland
Mich. St.
Wichita St.
Siena
Two TBD

Was there any indication as to why?  The Chicago thing is great for those in Chicago but the field looks like something from the B&G classic. 

[rocky_warrior]

Thanks!  It's been wiki'd
http://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/men_s_basketball/2008

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

If those are the name schools in the Invitational, then Crean will win yet another November tournament championship.

[🏀]

Someone make up the banner for the BC!

Actually, this is really good. I don't think we should be taking the team to the big tournaments every year. While the exposure is great, traveling has to take it's toll.

I'd like to see MU in this tournament regularly, I don't have to drive far.

[MUBasketball]

Would be interesting to meet up with Dayton. Remember, they backed out of a contractually obligated game in Milwaukee (which I believe they paid to get out of?). Crean and Dayton coach Brian Gregory (former MSU assistant as well) apparently are not on good terms, I'm assuming. I'm sure Crean would love a crack at the Flyers.

[downtown85]

With a tourney like that our non-con sos will get even weaker unless we schedule a home-away series with a good team or two.

How about a nice home-away series with a decent B12 or SEC team in 2008?  It would be nice for our new Alabama and Texas recruits to play in their own backyards.  

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

With a tourney like that our non-con sos will get even weaker unless we schedule a home-away series with a good team or two.

How about a nice home-away series with a decent B12 or SEC team in 2008?  It would be nice for our new Alabama and Texas recruits to play in their own backyards.  

Alabama turned down an offer for a home-and-home.

[TallTitan34]

I wouldn't mind getting involved in the Big East / SEC challenege next year if that's possible!

[ilovefreeway]

Dates are Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th (2008).

I know MU pulled out of talks to be in next years Old Spice Classic. Compared to the Chicago Invitaional field, I wish we would have stayed in it.

Old Spice 2008 Field:
Tennessee
Gonzaga
Maryland
Mich. St.
Wichita St.
Siena
Two TBD

Was there any indication as to why?  The Chicago thing is great for those in Chicago but the field looks like something from the B&G classic. 

I like the decision.  Any chance to get a game in Chicago is good for alumni and recruiting.

[NavinRJohnson]

Dates are Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th (2008).

I know MU pulled out of talks to be in next years Old Spice Classic. Compared to the Chicago Invitaional field, I wish we would have stayed in it.

Old Spice 2008 Field:
Tennessee
Gonzaga
Maryland
Mich. St.
Wichita St.
Siena
Two TBD

Was there any indication as to why?  The Chicago thing is great for those in Chicago but the field looks like something from the B&G classic. 

I don't know anything, but I'd be willing to bet that given the large local fan base, the Chicago Invitational made it worth MU's while. Couple that with the opportunity to play a tournament so close to home for both players and fans, and a chance to notch 3 wins in the process, probably a good move.

[tomcrean4pres]

I understand that its close for fans and all i just think that games against teams like tenn, and Gonzaga, and the likes would be better than games against Dayton, and Auburn... plus we would get more national pub in the Old Spice... i personally dont like this move

[79Warrior]

With a tourney like that our non-con sos will get even weaker unless we schedule a home-away series with a good team or two.

How about a nice home-away series with a decent B12 or SEC team in 2008?  It would be nice for our new Alabama and Texas recruits to play in their own backyards.  

I agree. Playing in the Maui, CBE etc is much better. Great TV exposure, good matchups. That Chicago lineup is weak.

[CWSKeith]

Maybe I'm thinking about someone else, but isn't Northern Iowa actually pretty decent?  Again, I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure they'd be one of our tougher OOC opponents if they were on the schedule this season (perhaps third behind Duke and Wisconsin).