Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma set for a brotherly battle (again) with season on the line (again)

Using his index finger, Adam Seiko carefully lifted his eyebrow, exposing the ancient battle scar that rests on his left eyelid.

His brother was the culprit.

Now in his fifth season, Seiko was a sophomore at San Diego State then. Creighton forward Arthur Kaluma, already 6-foot-6 or so then, was a sophomore in high school.

Seiko remembers having already won two games when the tension reached a boil. The YMCA that served as their stomping grounds back in Texas had seen plenty of war. Perhaps none like this. Seiko drove, and Kaluma headbutted him into stitches and their most memorable battle.

Everywhere Seiko goes, his body will always remind him of the moment Kaluma’s fate in the family took a large leap.

Even if he wanted to forget, fate continues to put his brother back in front of him. Just a year after they met in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament, they’ll meet once again Sunday. Only this isn’t for the rights to shout in triumph at the YMCA.

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This matchup is for a shot at the Final Four.

“Just surreal,” Kaluma said moments after Creighton clinched a rematch with SDSU. “It’s a feeling I can’t even describe into words. … Being able to meet my brother so many times in different conferences. Two years in a row is crazy.”

Kaluma doesn’t know what it is.

Between Creighton’s overtime win over the Aztecs last year, to their teams flying to Maui together earlier this season and now meeting for the biggest game of their lives. Kaluma can’t shake Seiko.

“I have no idea, I guess it’s just the bond we have as brothers,” Kaluma said. “We find each other in the same spots.”

These aren’t the days where Seiko wouldn’t even take Kaluma seriously. It’s been a while since Kaluma shot up to tower over his older brother. When Kaluma originally picked up a ball, Seiko would hardly look his way.

“He didn’t play me in 1-on-1 that much because he thought I wasn’t worth his time,” Kaluma said.

As the years passed, Seiko pushed him to his limits, giving his younger brother drills. Kaluma couldn’t dribble well, and as an already advanced 15-year-old, Seiko couldn’t stand the sight of it.

So much so that Seiko even walked out on him before.

“When he first started playing basketball, he wasn’t really in love with it,” Seiko said. “He was kind of playing because I was playing.”

He watched things pick up for Kaluma, sprouting into a grown man’s stature in almost no time. Well before his younger brother beat him for the first time as a high school sophomore, Seiko knew. He was coming.

“The thing about him, he always wants to get better,” Seiko said. “He’s in the gym two, three times a day. This kid is relentless. He doesn’t care, he wants to be the best.”

Seiko has seen Kaluma evolve time and time again. From the kid that was frustrating to watch, to the grown man that toyed with competition when they played together on the Ugandan National team.

The same way Kaluma can’t find words when thinking about the two suiting up against each other, Seiko has to pinch himself.

“It was a dream to play against him last year,” Seiko said.

Their parents are doing everything to remain neutral. They haven’t given either sibling a hint of who they’re pulling for. They won’t be in either fan section, ways away from the blue and keeping their distance from the black and red.

But Seiko knows their mother has a soft spot for Kaluma. He claims she was easier on him when they were growing up, showing love to the younger brother.

As Kaluma hoped to plow through Princeton, Seiko waded through a deep Creighton fan section at the KFC Yum! Center, to embrace their parents and peek at the game, even if just for a few minutes.

Kaluma found Seiko after the game. The latter uttered two words: “Be ready.”

“I’m already knowing what we gonna do,” Kaluma said. “We just gotta execute like we did last year.”

Creighton’s path to the Elite Eight

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) speaks ahead of their game against San Diego State in the NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight on Sunday. Photographed in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) speaks ahead of their game against San Diego State in the NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight on Sunday. Photographed in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) speaks ahead of their game against San Diego State in the NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight on Sunday. Photographed in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Photos: Creighton takes on Princeton in Sweet 16

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott raises a fist while walking toward a group of Bluejay fans following the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) celebrates in the final seconds of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) celebrates a three-pointer in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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The Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Francisco Farabello (5) grabs the ball ahead of Princeton’s Zach Martini (54) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott huddles with his team during break in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Princeton’s Matt Allocco (14) signals to teammate Tosan Evbuomwan (20) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, the Creighton president, cheers on his team during the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) shoots a three-pointer over Princeton’s Caden Pierce (12) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) is introduced before the start of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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San Diego State fans celebrate their win over Alabama in the NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. They will face Creighton in the Elite 8.

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San Diego State’s Adam Seiko (2) celebrates following their win over Alabama in the NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. They will face Creighton in the Elite 8.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) grabs a rebound in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) watches a replay in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Princeton’s Matt Allocco (14) controls the ball in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) high-fives teammate Ryan Nembhard (2) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) controls the ball in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton fans cheer on their team during the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Shereef Mitchell (4) and Sami Osmani (14) walk off the court following the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton won the game 86-75.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) gets the rebound ahead of Princeton’s Ryan Langborg (3) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) eyes the basket while up against Princeton’s Blake Peters (24) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) gets past Princeton’s Matt Allocco (14) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) misses a pass in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) gets caught between Princeton’s Tosan Evbuomwan (20) and Caden Pierce (12) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott calls out to Baylor Scheierman (55) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Princeton’s Tosan Evbuomwan (20) goes after the ball in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) grabs the rebound while up against Princeton’s Keeshawn Kellman (32) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) controls the ball in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton fans celebrate a play in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) controls the ball in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) looks for the play to develop in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott meets with his staff during a break in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) shoots over Princeton’s Keeshawn Kellman (32) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Fredrick King (33) keeps an eye on Princeton’s Tosan Evbuomwan (20) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson calls out to his team in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Princeton fans celebrate a play in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) controls the ball in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) and Trey Alexander (23) high five after a play in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) keeps an eye on Princeton’s Ryan Langborg (3) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) tries to block a shot by Princeton’s Keeshawn Kellman (32) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton cheerleaders perform during a break in the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton’s Shereef Mitchell (4) warms up ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Bluejays fans send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott high-fives Bluejays fans as they send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Bluejays cheerleaders and fans send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Josh Resch, of Chicago, and his kids, Ben, 3, Cameron 10, and Avery, 7, wait to send off the Bluejays with other fans ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Bluejays fans send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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From left, Ron Henrichs, Sally Hirschberg, both of Omaha, and Carolyn and Steve Eby, of Logan, Iowa., wait to send off the Bluejays with other fans ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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John Oxley, 9, of Omaha, shows off his autographed shirt as Bluejays fans send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Billy Bluejay high-fives fans as they send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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The Creighton pep band performs as Bluejays fans send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Ben Shtolzberg high-fives Bluejays fans as they send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Bluejays fans send off their team ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Mark Burgers, a former associate athletic director for Creighton University, hangs out ahead of the Creighton vs. Princeton NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Friday.

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Tom Shatel, with the Omaha World-Herald, at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton will take on Princeton in the NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game on Friday night.

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Mini baseball bats at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Ky., on Friday. Creighton will take on Princeton in the NCAA Sweet 16 men’s basketball game on Friday night.

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