Preview: Wabash Valley at Southwestern Illinois Men’s Basketball

GRANITE CITY, Ill. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse early-season struggles will meet Wednesday when the Wabash Valley Warriors visit the Southwestern Illinois Blue Storm in a men’s junior college basketball game.

The Warriors (3-8) enter on a three-game losing skid, most recently an 86-61 home defeat to Walters State this past Saturday. The Blue Storm (1-7) have not played since a 77-58 loss at Mineral Area on Dec. 19, 2025, and have dropped five consecutive games.

Despite the records, Interstat’s game simulator projects a high-scoring and even contest, forecasting a 100-100 final score.

Wabash Valley will look to find consistency after a difficult stretch. Following a season-opening win over Southeastern Illinois on Oct. 31, the Warriors have gone 2-8. In their last outing, production was scarce, with DeMario Spear, Mohamed Diaby and Khore Furlow each limited to just one minute of play. Spear, a player to watch for the Warriors, has seen minimal action in recent games, also logging one minute in a loss to John A Logan on Dec. 13.

Southwestern Illinois’ lone victory came on Dec. 13, a 79-70 home win over Kaskaskia. The Blue Storm have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 78.6 points per game during their current five-game slide.

The matchup represents a chance for either squad to gain momentum in regional play. Following this game, Wabash Valley travels to face Lincoln Trail on Saturday. Southwestern Illinois hits the road for a matchup at John A Logan on the same day.

The teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch at Wabash Valley on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Tip-off is set for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Granite City.