Illinois’ four basketball teams joined forces Wednesday night for the second-annual “Ultimate Basketball Challenge,” a fundraiser benefiting the University’s wheelchair basketball teams and Coaches vs. Cancer.

More than 700 fans flocked to Huff Hall to watch as varsity basketball players strapped into loaner wheelchairs and played alongside members of the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams.

“There are so many skills you don’t think of, with shooting, dribbling, rebounding,” said Amanda McGrory, junior on the women’s wheelchair team. “(The able-bodied players) are not very good.”

The teams split into Orange and Blue squads, with each group including players from all four teams. They then played two 20-minute halves, with a three-point contest at halftime.

The Blue team won, 43-33.

“It’s a blast; these guys and girls are so good,” said men’s basketball guard Trent Meacham, member of the Blue squad. “They’re amazing.”

Women’s basketball coach Theresa Grentz said the Challenge simultaneously increases exposure for the wheelchair basketball programs while helping the able-bodied athletes understand a different form of the game. Grentz said it’s good for the able-bodied players to become frustrated as they struggle to work the wheelchairs and apply their regular basketball skills.

“I think it brings a little camaraderie together that we all play basketball,” Grentz said. “We play a little differently, but at the same time with great passion, great determination.”

The proceeds from the five-dollar cost of admission were divided between the wheelchair programs and Coaches vs. Cancer, a charity men’s coach Bruce Weber regularly works to promote.

Since Weber arrived in Champaign in 2003, the community’s contribution to the organization has doubled. Weber, who was criticized for wearing gym shoes during Illinois’ game against Indiana as part of a nationwide effort by college coaches to promote the cause, auctioned those shoes on WDWS Radio Wednesday morning, donating the proceeds back to the charity.

At this year’s Final Four in Atlanta, Weber was recognized by Coaches vs. Cancer with the organization’s Champion Award.

“One of the things I always felt was that if I ever got in a position like I’m in at a major university, that I would use it to help others in any way I could,” Weber said. “One of the causes I’ve kind of taken up is Coaches Vs. Cancer. I do a little bit, Coach Grentz does some things, but we have great fan support.”

But Weber said the benefit to the wheelchair programs, both in funding and in public recognition, was the primary purpose of the Challenge. “I think that’s the No. 1 thing, that we’re able to help them out,” Weber said. “You can see they have talented athletes who work very very hard, play with a lot of passion and love basketball.

“Then I think our kids and Coach Grentz’s learn something from it. You appreciate what you have and I think it’s a little bit of a humbling situation for our guys.”