Preview: Lake Land at Wabash Valley, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

MOUNT CARMEL, Ill. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking consistency will meet Wednesday when the Lake Land Lakers visit the Wabash Valley Warriors.

The non-conference matchup features struggling squads looking to build momentum for the final month of the season. Lake Land enters with a 3-9 record, while Wabash Valley sits at 6-10.

The Lakers arrive following a high-scoring 97-92 road loss to Shawnee on Jan. 21. That game continued a pattern of narrow results for Lake Land, which has seen four of its last five contests decided by five points or fewer. The Lakers secured a 75-74 home win over Southwestern Illinois on Jan. 17 but fell in overtime, 93-84, to Vincennes three days prior. Their season has been marked by an inability to string wins together, having not won consecutive games since the opening weekend in November.

Wabash Valley looks to rebound from a 69-60 defeat at Vincennes on Saturday. The Warriors’ season has been defined by streaks, alternating wins and losses in their last six outings. They earned a 66-59 home victory over Olney Central on Jan. 17 and edged Shawnee 61-59 on Jan. 14, demonstrating an ability to win close games at home.

Offensive production will be a key factor. Lake Land has shown scoring capability, averaging over 85 points in its last five games, but its defense has repeatedly faltered late. Wabash Valley has struggled offensively at times, failing to reach 70 points in seven of its ten losses.

The game is the first of a home-and-home series between the teams this season. They will meet again at Lake Land on Tuesday, March 3.

For Lake Land, the schedule does not ease after Wednesday, with a home game against Lincoln Trail looming on Saturday. Wabash Valley will host Kaskaskia that same day.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Central at Spencer Sports Center.