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Tournament Returns to Windy City By Matt Weitzel F or the first time in six years, the Big Conference Men���s Basketball Tournament returns to Chicago. Chicago was the site of the first four tournaments (1998-2001) and also in 2003, 2005, and 2007. This year���s tournament, its eighth at the United Center, will take place March 14-17. Single-session tickets can be purchased thru ticketmaster.com (800-745-3000) or through unitedcenter.com (312-455-4668). The Hawkeyes are 7-6 all-time in Big Tournament games played at the United Center, including winning four games in four days in 2001 to capture the conference championship. Iowa has played every Big team except Illinois and Nebraska at Big tournaments held at the United Center. Iowa has had three thrilling finishes to Big Tournament games in the United Center. Brody Boyd led the Hawkeyes with 22 points, while Reggie Evans grabbed 11 boards in a 63-61 win over Indiana in the 2001 championship game. Seventh-seeded Iowa upset second-seeded Michigan State, 71-69, in the 2005 quarterfinals. Greg Brunner and Duez Henderson combined for 34 points, while Doug Thomas cleared 11 boards. Iowa clipped Minnesota, 81-78, in the first round of the 2000 tournament. Kyle Galloway poured in 30 points en route to victory. The 30 points ties the school record for most by a Hawkeye in a Big Tournament contest. Iowa still holds four Big Tournament team records established at the 2001 tournament in Chicago: points (304), free throws made (106), free throws attempted (152), and rebounds (162). UI senior captain Eric May, along with his teammates, are excited to make a return trip to the Windy City and the United Center. ���I remember watching Iowa play in these tournament games in Chicago growing up as a kid,��� May said. ���We���re pretty excited to have the opportunity to return to the United Center, play in front of a number of Hawkeye fans who live in the Chicago area, and make a run at the championship.��� 9