You've probably seen the headlines or caught a clip of a Sister Jean cameo lately, but honestly, keeping up with the Loyola men's basketball schedule in 2026 is a different beast entirely. It’s not just about showing up at the Gentile Center and hoping for some of that 2018 magic. This season has been a rollercoaster, and if you aren’t looking at the right "Loyola," you’re basically lost before the tip-off.
First off, let’s clear up the confusion. When people search for the schedule, they often mix up the Ramblers in Chicago with the Lions in L.A. or the Greyhounds in Maryland. We’re focusing on Drew Valentine’s squad in Rogers Park because, let's be real, the Atlantic 10 is where the real drama is happening right now.
Why the Current Stretch is Critical
The Ramblers are currently sitting in the thick of the A-10 conference slate, and the next few weeks are basically make-or-break for their postseason hopes. It hasn't been easy. We saw a rough patch in early January with losses to Dayton and Davidson, but the win over Rhode Island on New Year’s Eve showed there’s still some fight in this roster.
The Loyola men's basketball schedule for the remainder of January and February looks like a gauntlet. You've got road trips to VCU and Fordham that are notorious for being "trap games."
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If you're planning your calendar, mark January 20th. They're heading to the Reilly Center to face St. Bonaventure. That place is a nightmare for visiting teams. Then they come back home to Chicago for a two-game stint against Duquesne and Saint Joseph’s.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- January 20, 2026: at St. Bonaventure (The Reilly Center is basically a hornets' nest).
- January 24, 2026: vs. Duquesne (Home at the Gentile Center).
- January 30, 2026: at VCU (Expect high pressure and a loud crowd).
- February 13, 2026: vs. Saint Louis (A massive Friday night home game).
The Roster Shift Nobody Talks About
Everyone looks at the schedule and thinks about wins and losses, but you have to look at who is playing. This 2025-26 team is leaning heavily on transfers and some serious length. Miles Rubin, the 6'10" junior from Chicago, has been the anchor. If he gets into foul trouble early—which happened in that ugly George Washington loss on January 10th—the whole defensive scheme Kinda falls apart.
Then you’ve got Justin Moore and Deywilk Tavarez in the backcourt. They’re fast. Really fast. But the consistency isn't always there. One night they're dropping 20 each, and the next, they're struggling against a zone.
The schedule is designed to test this depth. Playing three games in eight days in late February is going to show whether Drew Valentine has built a team that can actually survive the A-10 tournament in March.
Survival in the Atlantic 10
The A-10 isn't the MVC. It's more physical, and the travel is harder. When Loyola was in the Missouri Valley, you knew what to expect. Now? You're flying to Richmond one week and Philly the next.
The Loyola men's basketball schedule actually does them a favor in late February. They have a big home game against Richmond on February 28th. If they can hold serve at home, they might just snag a decent seed for the conference tournament.
A lot of "experts" thought the Ramblers would be top three in the conference this year. Honestly, they’ve underperformed a bit, sitting at 5-12 overall as of mid-January. But the conference record is what matters for the tournament, and they've shown flashes of being able to compete with the top tier like Dayton.
How to Actually Watch the Games
If you aren't at the Gentile Center, finding the games can be a headache. The A-10 has deals with ESPN+, USA Network, and CBS Sports Network.
Basically, if it’s a big weekend game, check USA or CBS Sports. If it’s a Tuesday night game against La Salle (like the one coming up on February 3rd), you’re almost certainly going to need that ESPN+ subscription.
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Pro Tip for Fans
Don't just look at the date. Look at the tip-off times. The A-10 loves those weird 11:00 AM or 9:00 PM starts for TV. The game at George Washington was a 3:00 PM start, but the upcoming battle at St. Bonaventure is late.
The Road to March
The final stretch of the Loyola men's basketball schedule concludes with a home game against George Washington on March 7th. That will be Senior Night. It’s always emotional, but this year it could also be a "win and you’re in" scenario for a first-round bye in the A-10 tournament.
What people get wrong is thinking Loyola is a "mid-major" that can just stroll through their schedule. This league is deep. Every night is a battle.
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If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for Xavier Amos and Kymany Houinsou. Their availability completely changes the betting lines and the way the Ramblers match up against smaller, quicker teams like Davidson.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you don't miss a beat, here is exactly what you should do:
- Sync the Calendar: Go to the official Loyola Ramblers website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. This updates automatically if a game time gets shifted for TV (which happens more than you'd think).
- Check the Tier: Before buying tickets for home games, see if it's a "Premium" game. Matches against Dayton or Saint Louis sell out fast and the prices on the secondary market are double.
- Monitor the A-10 Standings: Don't just look at Loyola's record. Watch how VCU and St. Joe’s are doing. The seeding for the March tournament is incredibly tight this year, and one win could move a team up three spots.
- Gentile Center Logistics: If you're going to a game in person, remember that parking in Rogers Park is a nightmare. Use the shuttle from the Howard Red Line stop or get there 90 minutes early if you're driving.
The season isn't over. Not even close. If the Ramblers can find their rhythm in this late January stretch, the March conversation is going to get very interesting.