This might only be the CBI, but to Chicago State this has to feel like a huge deal. This is a program that had to cancel their 2020/21 season nine games in after starting 0-9. Chicago State could barely win a game in the WAC for years and hasn’t played in any postseason since the CIT in 2012/13 so an invite to the CBI has to feel like a big accomplishment.

This is also a Chicago State team that’s accomplished more than any Cougars team in recent history, winning 12 games including a monster upset win over a Top 25 Northwestern team that just made it to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.




I also think it’s very possible Fairfield doesn’t care a ton about this tournament. Fairfield was the favorite to win the MAAC Tournament so not getting it done and not making it to the NCAA Tournament had to be a huge letdown for the Stags. This Chicago State team that showed up against UCSD looked like one that’s here on business and I think the Cougars put in another big effort and I like the value getting +5 pts here this evening with the early 5pm ET tipoff.