Preview: Richmond at Loyola Chicago

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Richmond Spiders visit the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in an Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at Joseph Gentile Center.

Richmond (15-13) enters on a high note after a 99-94 home victory over Saint Bonaventure last Saturday. The Spiders have been inconsistent in conference play, however, alternating wins and losses over their last six games. Guard Will Johnston, coming off a 21-point performance against the Bonnies, is a key offensive catalyst. He has averaged 12.7 points over his last seven contests but can be prone to scoring droughts, as seen in a 3-point outing at Rhode Island earlier this month.

Loyola Chicago (6-22) seeks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 75-61 loss at Saint Joseph’s. The Ramblers have struggled mightily, with just one win since Jan. 30. Their bright spot is forward Miles Rubin, a versatile defender and occasional offensive threat. Rubin nearly posted a triple-double against Saint Joseph’s with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and he scored 21 points in a Jan. 30 loss at VCU.

The matchup pits Richmond’s sporadic offense against a Loyola Chicago team that has allowed 80 or more points in four of its last ten games. The Spiders will look to exploit that defense, relying on Johnston and fellow guard AJ Lopez, who scored 20 points in the win over Saint Bonaventure. For the Ramblers, generating consistent offense beyond Rubin remains a challenge; they have been held under 65 points in eight of their last eleven outings.

Historically, this is the first meeting between the programs as A-10 foes since Loyola Chicago joined the conference. The game represents a critical opportunity for Richmond to solidify its standing before the conference tournament, while Loyola Chicago aims to play spoiler and find momentum in the season’s final weeks.

Following this game, Richmond hosts Dayton on Tuesday, March 3. Loyola Chicago travels to face Saint Louis on Wednesday, March 4.