MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University wheelchair basketball team returns to the hardwood this Friday and Saturday with four games at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Tournament. 
 
SMSU (3-0) will face the University of Alabama on Friday at 12 p.m. before taking on Edinboro University at 4 p.m. On Saturday, SMSU battles the University of Illinois, before closing the weekend facing City University of New York.
 
SMSU last played Alabama during the 2021-22 season and has lost 20 straight in the series since last defeating the Crimson Tide during the 2007-08 season. The Mustangs defeated Edinboro twice last season and have 13 straight in the series dating back to the 2018-19 campaign. 
 
SMSU and Illinois met four times a season ago with the Fighting Illini winning three times. SMSU's lone victory last year came during the UWW Tournament. SMSU is 4-0 all-time versus CUNY, including winning twice last season.
 
The Mustangs opened the season winning three games on Nov. 2 at the Courage Kenny Classic in Arden Hills, Minn. Emmanuel Fuentes Cervantes averaged 31 points, while shooting 52 percent and averaged 10.1 rebounds in the three games, while Josh Brown averaged in 19.7 ppg. Landon Wherry is averaging 9.7 ppg with Alex Wells scoring 6.7 ppg.