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June 5, 2008

The third annual Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., will include preseason top 25 Marquette University along with the University of Dayton, Auburn University, University of Northern Iowa, Chicago State University, Mercer University, Texas Southern University, and Bethune Cookman University.

UNI will host Texas Southern on Nov. 23 and Chicago State on Nov. 25 at the McLeod Center in the first two games of the tournament, before heading to the Sears Centre. There, the Panthers will face Marquette on Nov. 28 and Auburn on Nov. 29.

UNI returns three starters and eight letterwinners from last year's team that finished 18-14 overall, 9-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Junior center Jordan Eglseder averaged 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game a year ago, while junior forward Adam Koch averaged 8.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg. Other key returners are senior guard Travis Brown (6.6 ppg), sophomore guard Kerwin Dunham (4.3 ppg) and senior guard Carlton Reed (3.5 ppg). Third-year head coach Ben Jacobson also welcomes six new players to the Panthers 2008-09 roster.

The Marquette Golden Eagles (25-10) and first year coach Buzz Williams return one of America's top backcourts and All-Big East selections Jerel McNeal (14.9 ppg), Dominic James (12.9 ppg) and Wesley Matthews (11.3 ppg).

The Dayton Flyers (23-11) return a talented young squad including All Atlantic-10 rookie selection sophomore forward Chris Wright (10.4 ppg) and junior guard, Marcus Johnson (10.1 ppg).

The Auburn Tigers (14-16) return one of the nation's most experienced teams including senior forward Korvotney Barber (13.8 pp), senior guard Rasheem Barrett (13.6 ppg), junior guard DeWayne Reed (8.9 ppg) and team MVP senior guard Quantez Robertson (7.8 ppg).

Rounds one and two will be played at Marquette, Dayton, Auburn, and UNI with the final rounds during Thanksgiving (Nov. 28-29) at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Tickets are available beginning June 7th, 2008 at the Sears Centre Box Office, select AMCORE Bank outlets, by phone at 1-888-SEARS TIX (732-7784), and online at www.searscentre.com. Tournament pass prices are $109 for floor seats, $98 for club level, $87 for lower bowl, and $65 for upper bowl and are good for all eight games at Sears Centre Arena November 28 & 29)

Sears Centre Arena is an 11,000 seat multi purpose family entertainment, cultural, and sports arena located in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park. The Sears Centre Arena, which opened in 2006, is designed to accommodate a variety of events including concerts, family shows and sporting events. For more information regarding the Sears Centre Arena and upcoming events, please visit the arena's website at www.searscentre.com.