The defending national champion University of Arizona men’s wheelchair basketball team will face one of its biggest challenges of the season this weekend at Brad Rich Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Friday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 8, in San Diego.

Arizona (18-3) will look to build on its strong start as it competes against Division 1 and Division 2 teams including Golden State Road Warriors, Rancho Halos, Mary Free Bed Pacers, LA Rolling Clippers and the Minnesota Wolves.   

“We are trying the best we can, and naturally, the goal is that we can repeat,” said Head Coach Mike Beardsley. 

“We’re up against all of the Division 1 and Division 2 teams that are based in California,” said senior Dylan Zander, who plays on the team. “We actually haven’t played Mary Free Bed, but we’re excited to play them.” 

The team has been preparing by focusing on refining execution and communication as it goes further into the season.

“We’ve been watching more film,” Zander said. “At this point, we’re conditioned, and we know our roles, so it’s about fine-tuning little mistakes, mostly with communication.”

Senior Carter Jones said practices emphasized repetition and clarity ahead of San Diego. 

“Making sure everybody knows where they need to be, so if there are any questions, we get them out of the way now, so everybody knows what to do in game,” Jones said.

Beardsley said with the team’s dominant start to the season as they head to California, they are ready. 

“We’re 18-3. We’re a young team, but they’re learning a lot,” Beardsley said, adding that the gameplan for San Diego will include preparation for defensive pressure and using the Wildcats’ speed and youth on offense. 

Arizona comes into the tournament with its first national championship after defeating  the University of Texas–Arlington last March, The win came after UA lost back-to-back title games in 2023 and 2024 for the NWBA Intercollegiate Division Men’s Championship. 

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism