Richmond Preview and Game Thread -- 2/28/2026

[RamblerRagas]

Loyola Ramblers Preview – https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2026/2/ ... urday.aspx

Richmond Stats and Intel - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2026.html

Record: 15-13 (5-10, 11th in A-10 MBB)
Coach: Chris Mooney
PS/G: 78.0 (134th of 365)
PA/G: 74.2 (200th of 365)
SRS: 3.66 (124th of 365)
SOS: 0.74 (130th of 365)
ORtg: 112.5 (117th of 365)
DRtg: 107.0 (197th of 365)
Preseason Odds: Championship +200000


Richmond Spiders 15-13 (5-10) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers 6-22 (2-13)– 3:00PM CST, Gentile Arena, Chicago IL

After a week long break, the Ramblers return to action and host Richmond for the second to last home game where the afternoon will be highlighted by an alumni pregame event and Cerebral Palsy Awareness game.

Last Saturday at St. Joes, the Ramblers fell 75-61, dropping them to a dead last 2-13 league record. They could not put a single capable human body on Jaiden Glover and Dasear Haskins in the second half as both exploded for 23.

Richmond began the year going 13-5 over their first 18 games this year. Their best non-conference victory was over MVC leader, Belmont. Then they hit a 6-game losing streak in January. Those losses came against Saint Louis, Rhode Island, George Washington, VCU, Davidson and Rhode Island. The Spiders have since gone 2-2 since with wins over George Mason and St. Bonaventure sandwiched around losses to VCU and Davidson. Richmond has a 3-5 road record coming into this one.

In the St. Bonaventure matchup last weekend, the Spiders powered out a victory in comeback fashion on their home court 99-94. Leading the charge was Will Johnston with 21 points, two rebounds and two assists. The win improved them to 15-13 overall and 5-10 in A-10 play. The Spiders take care of the ball and commit the fewest turnovers per game in the conference (10.0). They also have the second-best three-point defense, holding opponents to 32.5 percent from the arc.

52.0% of minutes played and 46.4% of scoring return from Richmond’s 2024-25 roster. AJ Lopez leads the Spiders in scoring (13.2 ppg). He has 21 double-figure performances this season and is riding a five-game streak into Gentile. Lopez scored 20 in Richmond's win over the Bonnies last week. It was his third game this season with at least 20 points.

Both teams suck massively coming into this one. Richmond is 2-8 in their last 10 and the Ramblers are 1-9, and in these losses carry a -14.5 point differential. Despite losing 13 of their last 14 games against A10 opponents, the Ramblers still have a chance here. Richmond’s style of play should help Loyola with their high reliance and overshooting on 3-point shooting. If you recall last season, the Spiders gave the Ramblers what seemed like 50+ attempts from three and they won 87-80 in overtime because they made them. Sheldon Edwards and Jayden Dawson combined for 13-29 from 3PT land. I'm expecting Richmond's open invitation to take threes once again. Make them, there is a chance. Miss like usual, this will be another painful watch.

Richmond Probable Starters – 6-5 G AJ Lopez, 6-3 G Will Johnston, 5-10 G Mikkel Tyne, 6-6 G Collin Tanner, 6-11 C Michael Walz.

Loyola Probable Starters - Rubin, Amos, TBD, TBD, Dotson


LAST 10 GAMES FOR BOTH SQUADS

Ramblers: 1-9, averaging 63.3 points, 31.7 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 4.2 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 39.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.5 points per game.

Spiders: 2-8, averaging 71.1 points, 26.2 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 6.2 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.7 points.


Watch / Listen – Saturday’s game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with Tom McCarthy and Chris Walker on the call, and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with our friends Sudikoff and CT.

Postgame Show - Tune in to Sudikoff on RSN, followed by TalkinBlers Spaces on the X: https://x.com/blerstalking?s=21


Odds: Richmond -4.5

[ahunte1]

Great preview! Unfortunately Jayden Dawson and Sheldon Edwards aren't walking through that door.

[natetheskate]

I had court side seats today...real great look.
1. MILES RUBIN made two free throws in crunch time!!!!!!!!!! ...the minutes leading up to that the Richmond coach kept yelling 24. 24. foul 24!....
2. I hate it when a ref tries to take over a game...there was a little twerp of an official who was obviously in love with himself and the sound of his own voice...Called those early rebounding fouls early in the second half,that crazy offensive foul on Dotson and the ticky tack going for the ball foul that ended his night....and the 3 point shot foul on Amos near the end....The other two refs were barely visible (appropriately). I give Drew credit for keeping his head in the game and not getting a T.

[goramblers2011]

1-0 in the "New Message Board Era"

New Board, New Ramblers

[goodknight]

Students out today on Spring break.

I thought we might do ourselves in near the end as we let Richmond back in the game.

We turned it over 16 times, includes Richmond stealing it 9 times. Miles gave it up 5 times, but he did have 19pts.

36 minutes of lead time for us.
50% FG is noteworthy and much better than lately
32 pts in paint to Richmond's 16

As was already mentioned, fouls were an issue. 2 Ramblers with 4 fouls and 2 with 5.
Appropriately, the "Take his whistle" chant from the Rambler band was heard when they had seen enough.

Our game was a bit haphazard but this season I am taking any win that comes our way!

Go Ramblers!

[Mudville21]

The first 33 minutes we played very well. Ball and player movement was the best sustained action we had all year. Then the officials got involved and for about 4 minutes or so neither team was making FGs.

Richmond got back into the game shooting FTs. Their shooting numbers from the floor and arc were some of the worst I think I have seen an opponent shoot in our building.

The energy, coming off a week layoff was excellent. The crowd was actually big considering students were on break.

BTW, Reese also made 2 clutch FTs down the stretch too.

Finally, Danill had another solid game. This marks the 6th or 7th game in a row where he strung together solid performances. It will be interesting to see if he stays or goes. Has he figured it out and if he stays will he have a bigger role? Anderson also played well. He's never been afraid and he needs polish but he sticks his nose in it.

[Classless is Back]

Loyola smooshed the spiders, that said. One of the largest problems is - this team can't catch a basketball. Crazy but true. Start at the basics, catch and pass drills.

[88Rambler]

The stat of the year - we started our 14 different line-up yesterday. Note - that Rubin started every game. 13 different players have started games this year.

[natetheskate]

A couple after thoughts. 1. Had the chance to talk to some people who would be considered close to the program and got every indication that Drew would be back next year. 2.Caleb Reese had a home town hero game, with Dotson and Tavarez in foul trouble early he gave us big minutes with no turnovers and two big time free throws 3. I watched Glaskov a lot and despite him not having lived up to who we thought he was going to be he certainly seems to have a high basketball IQ. Was often directing traffic on the offensive side and defensive side of the ball. 4. To that point there was a lot of talking going on between LU players, each helping to direct the others and rightfully so as we were a step late many times. It is clear that we are still getting to know this motion, option offense.5. Amos made a lot of unnecessary mistakes but all came from ,it seemed, trying too hard although one of them WAS NOT a foul on the 3 point shot near the end of the game. 6. Team seemed to play hard and together.7. Miles Rubin may not be a complete player but he has really worked on that baby hook, both lefty and righty.8. Thought Drew did a nice job at the end of the game when things were tight, getting the ball into play including one where he was able to isolate Tavarez (our best free throw shooter) and get him the ball when RIchmond had to foul.They ran that 4 guys out of bounds play I believe 3 times, all successful
9.Also this team has improved drastically since the beginning of the year rebounding the basketball.
Been a rough year felt good to win and hear a loud fairly full gym.