Freshman Alex Grunstein is nervous about his first collegiate wheelchair basketball game this weekend at the Illinois Classic. But at least the team is opening at home.

“Having people there in the stands supporting our players always brings out the best (in us),” head coach Mike Frogley said. “Playing at home is worth five to 10 points on a basketball court.”

The men play against the RIC Hornets and Variety Wheelchair Rebels at 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, on Saturday and versus the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday.

The women’s team plays at home, too, where all three games are against the RIC Express. All games are played at the Intramural Physical Education Building, admission is free and fans are recommended to come early because seating is limited.

What makes Grunstein feel better about his opening weekend is the fact that there’s amazing talent around him. Also, Grunstein is considered the sharp shooter of the team.

“My goal is to play like I play any game and also to be relaxed,” Grunstein said.

Frogley expects Grunstein and other young players to pick up his system quickly but understands that everything might not go perfectly this weekend.

“Our motion offense and our man-to-man defense and the way we play require our players to make decisions on the court,” Frogley said. “It’s a little more complex than running set plays on offense and running zone defense on the other side.”

There will be some difficult matchups, as the Rebels have national team players from Canada who are physically stronger than some of the post players from Illinois, Frogley said.

“We want to see our veterans show their strengths as leaders,” Frogley said. “I’m really looking to see (if) all of our post players will be consistent with their shooting inside and if they have a presence on defense.”

On the women’s side, a unique challenge for them is presented. Last weekend the Illini had more height than their opponents, but not this weekend. The post players will be challenged, especially second-year player Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy.

O’Kelly-Kennedy will be guarding the Express’ Andrea Woodson, who plays for the U.S. National Team.

“Andrea’s got such a presence on the court,” O’Kelly-Kennedy said. “She’s their key player.”

The Illini would like to limit Woodson and make someone else from the Express beat them. O’Kelly-Kennedy will try to do her part.

“I have to be really strong on the boards,” O’Kelly Kennedy said.

Frogley mentioned that the women Illini post players need to be “more creative and intelligent” against their opponent this weekend.

“We’re a bit younger than the RIC Express, and I think we’re in a bit better shape and a bit faster than them, Frogley said. “I want to make them play a full-court game, which is our strength, instead of a half-court game, which is their strength.”