By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. – The schedule for the 2009 Chicago Invitational Challenge has been set as the Owls are one of eight teams playing in the four-game event this November concluding at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
The eight-team field features Notre Dame, Northwestern, Iowa State, St. Louis, Liberty, Mississippi Valley State, Tennessee State and the Owls.
Iowa State, Notre Dame, Northwestern and St. Louis will host the first and second round games of the weeklong event on campus.
Kennesaw State opens against the Billikens of St. Louis at Chaifetz Arena on Nov. 22 and will play the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the second round in South Bend, Ind. on Nov. 24.
St. Louis (18-14, 8-8) finished ninth in the Atlantic 10 conference, advancing to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. Notre Dame (21-15, 8-10 Big East) finished ninth in the Big East last season and advanced to the finals of the NIT before falling to Penn State in the semifinals.
The third round of the event will begin a traditional tournament format with Kennesaw State playing Tennessee State at noon on Nov. 27. Tennessee State (12-18, 9-9) finished sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference last season.
The Owls will then play either Liberty or Mississippi Valley State in the Championship Round on Nov. 28 at either 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
2009 Chicago Invitational Challenge
First Round
Nov. 22 (Campus Sites, Times TBD)
Kennesaw State at St. Louis
Liberty at Notre Dame
Tennessee State at Northwestern
Mississippi Valley State at Iowa State
Second Round
Nov. 24 (Campus Sites, Times TBD)
Kennesaw State at Notre Dame
Liberty at Northwestern
Tennessee State at Iowa State
Mississippi Valley State at St. Louis
Third Round
Nov. 27 (Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Ill.)
12:00 p.m. Tennessee State vs. Kennesaw State
2:30 p.m. Liberty vs. Mississippi Valley State
5:00 p.m. Iowa State vs. St. Louis
7:30 p.m. Notre Dame vs. Northwestern
Championship Round
Nov. 28 (Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Ill.)
11:00 a.m. Loser TSU/KSU vs. Loser LU/MVSU
1:30 p.m. Winner TSU/KSU vs. Winner LU/MVSU
4:30 p.m. Loser ISU/SLU vs. Loser ND/NU
7:00 p.m. Winner ISU/SLU vs. Winner ND/NU
