McLean County Times

The tournament field for the 2025 Terry's Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational has been revealed. The event will include Illinois State University (ISU), Charlotte, Furman, and Richmond in a four-team bracketed competition.

The Redbirds will compete in the Imagination Bracket on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, with both the Championship and consolation games scheduled for the following day, November 28. This marks the 19th year that Walt Disney World hosts this college basketball event during Thanksgiving week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It is also notable as the first instance where three brackets are featured in the tournament.

All matches will be held at State Farm Field House, a venue known for hosting high-profile basketball events including NBA games and elite youth tournaments. ISU returns six players from last season who played in at least 17 games, including Chase Walker, a First Team All-MVC award winner, and Johnny Kinziger, a Second Team All-MVC honoree. Last season, ISU achieved a record of 22-14 and won the 2025 Purple CBI Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.

ESPN Events is responsible for organizing this invitational among other collegiate sporting events across the nation. For the academic year 2024-25, their schedule includes various college football kickoff games, bowl games, basketball events as well as softball and gymnastics competitions. Their programming reaches over 60 million viewers annually.

Terry's Chocolate has been tempting consumers since its inception in 1926 in the United Kingdom and has gained popularity in the U.S., with several million chocolate balls sold each year.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort is one of America's leading sites for amateur sports. It features multiple venues designed to provide athletes with professional-level experiences.

GoRedbirds.com along with the Illinois State Redbirds App serve as resources for fans seeking tickets and merchandise related to Illinois State athletics.