Basketball Game Preview: Rantoul Eagles vs. Monticello Sages

Rantoul hasn't had much luck against Monticello recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Rantoul Eagles will head out to challenge the Monticello Sages at 7:00 p.m.

Rantoul is headed into Monday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their sixth straight game on Saturday. They came up short against Illinois Valley Central, falling 61-39. That's two games in a row now that the Eagles have lost by exactly 22 points.

Meanwhile, Monticello hadn't done well against St. Joseph-Ogden recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. Monticello walked away with a 34-24 victory over St. Joseph-Ogden. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Sages.

Monticello's win was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 13-8. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 28.3 points per game. As for Rantoul, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-19.

Rantoul came up short against Monticello in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, falling 48-39. Can Rantoul avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.