Chicago to host Big Ten tourney

By Sharat Raju
Daily Sports Editor

The Big Ten has finally decided on two things.

First, it has decided to hold a post-season tournament for men's basketball.

Second, it has chosen a venue - Chicago.

The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors announced on Sunday that the United Center in Chicago will be the site of the inaugural Big Ten men's basketball tournament.

"It is indeed appropriate that Chicago, birthplace to the Big Ten Conference more than 102 years ago and home to more than 300,000 Big Ten graduates, is selected as the first site of the tournament," council chair Nils Hasselmo said.

The 23,484-seat stadium - home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks - was among the 14 venues considered to host the 1998 tournament. The United Center will also serve as host in 1999.

The Metrodome in Minneapolis and RCA Dome in Indianapolis were the other two finalists considered.

The response from league coaches has also been positive.

"It's going to be a great event," Iowa coach Tom Davis said. "The possible sites all sounded good and Chicago is a great place to start."

The postseason tournament will shorten the regular season from its current 18-game format to a 16-game schedule.

The winner of the tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The regular-season and postseason schedules have not been announced, but are slated to be released around July 1.

The concept of a postseason tournament in the Big Ten is not new. Six other Big Ten sports already hold postseason tournaments - women's basketball, softball, baseball, field hockey and men's and women's soccer.

The new tournament games are scheduled to be televised by CBS, ESPN, ESPN2 and Creative Sports.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

06-04-97