Richmond Spiders vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, February 28, 2026

By: Jake Allman Published 02/28/2026, 03:00 AM ET

Richmond heads to Chicago on Saturday for an Atlantic 10 matchup with Loyola Chicago at 4:00 PM ET on CBSSN. The Spiders sit at 15-13 overall and 5-10 in conference play, while the Ramblers are 6-22 and 2-13 in the A-10. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Richmond a 67.7 percent edge, and the numbers back that up. For bettors looking for free College Basketball picks, this game offers a clear statistical gap.

Richmond Preview

Richmond averages 78.0 points per game and shoots 45.1 percent from the field, both comfortably ahead of Loyola Chicago’s 66.7 points and 41.6 percent shooting. AJ Lopez leads the Spiders with 13.2 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting and an excellent 87.3 percent from the free-throw line. Aiden Argabright adds 10.9 points and 1.2 steals per game, while Mike Walz controls the paint with 6.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per contest. Richmond has also won two of its last three, including a 99-94 win over St. Bonaventure, showing the offense can stretch games into the 80s and 90s when tempo picks up.

Loyola Chicago Preview

On the other side, Loyola Chicago has dropped four of its last five and is scoring just 66.7 points per game while allowing 77.2. Justin Moore leads the Ramblers with 10.9 points and 3.8 assists per game, but shoots just 39.5 percent from the floor and turns it over 3.0 times per game. Miles Rubin is productive inside with 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, yet the supporting cast has struggled with consistency. Loyola shoots 30.8 percent from three as a team and just 66.9 percent from the free-throw line, which limits late-game comeback potential.

Loyola Chicago vs Richmond Prediction

Richmond also holds the edge in assists at 14.5 per game compared to Loyola’s 13.8, and the Spiders generate 7.1 steals per contest, nearly double the Ramblers’ 4.0. That turnover pressure matters against a Loyola team averaging 13.0 turnovers per game. If Richmond protects the ball and plays to its 45 percent shooting clip, the Spiders should control the flow.

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Prediction: Richmond 75, Loyola Chicago 66. The Spiders have the more efficient offense and the better scoring balance, and Loyola’s scoring ceiling has been low most of conference play.

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