(Interstat) — Preview: Kaskaskia Blue Devils at Southwestern Illinois Blue Storm

SATURDAY, DEC. 13, 2025

A men’s junior college basketball matchup featuring teams on divergent paths will take place Saturday when the Kaskaskia Blue Devils visit the Southwestern Illinois Blue Storm.

The Blue Devils (2-1) enter with momentum from a 78-65 home victory over Wabash Valley on Wednesday. Their season began with a 91-73 win against Dyersburg State before a narrow 92-84 loss to Missouri State-West Plains.

Conversely, the Blue Storm (0-6) are seeking their first win of the campaign. They are coming off a 70-82 road loss to Shawnee on Wednesday. Their season-opening stretch has included several competitive defeats, most notably an 84-88 loss at State Fair on Nov. 29.

A key player to watch for Southwestern Illinois will be Eliott Tsegakele. In that close loss to State Fair, Tsegakele logged 29 minutes, scoring 20 points with 7 rebounds and a block, demonstrating his capability as a focal point for the struggling Blue Storm offense.

The game presents a clear contrast. Kaskaskia has shown a balanced attack and resilience early, while Southwestern Illinois has struggled to find a finishing touch despite flashes from players like Tsegakele. The Blue Storm will look to leverage home court advantage to break into the win column, while the Blue Devils aim to build on their winning record.

This contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They are scheduled to meet again at Kaskaskia on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.

Following this game, Southwestern Illinois will travel to face Mineral Area on Dec. 19. Kaskaskia’s next contest is not until Jan. 10, 2026, when they host Lake Land.