PITTSBURGH — Sitting at the podium following Richmond's season-ending 75-67 loss to Loyola Chicago in the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament on Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena, Spiders longtime coach Chris Mooney lamented the state of modern college basketball amid the transient landscape of NIL and the transfer portal.
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University of Richmond coach Chris Mooney: “Making sure that everyone, starting from me, through the coaches and players, everyone is looking at themselves saying, ‘How could that happen? What can I do better?’"
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
UR coach Chris Mooney: "I think all of those things that we stress all the time, because they are very repetitive things, they have to show up and coaches have to insist that they show up and demand that they show up until they do."
MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
University of Richmond coach Chris Mooney: “I think our intention is to be the most competitive we can possibly be with regards to facilities and investment and player salary and all those things. The hard part in sports is that’s what the other 13 (A-10) teams are doing also.”
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU’s Tyrell Ward dunks the ball over Richmond’s Jonathan Beagle during the Rams’ Atlantic 10 victory at the Siegel Center on Saturday night. Ward scored 10 points in 12 minutes off the bench as VCU stretched its winning streak to nine games.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCUs Barry Evans was boxed out by UR's Mike Walz when the teams met at the Robins Center on Feb. 14. Walz said of the Spiders' games going forward, “we’ve got to be more gritty and physical than every team we play … That’s just a mindset we have to harness and continue with it.”
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
Brandon Jennings (St. Christopher's) looks to pass during VCU's victory over Richmond at the Robins Center. Jennings, coming off the bench for the first time this season, scored seven points in 20 minutes for the Rams, who saw a 20-point halftime lead whittled to two with about six minutes left.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
UR coach Chris Mooney: "I think all of those things that we stress all the time, because they are very repetitive things, they have to show up and coaches have to insist that they show up and demand that they show up until they do."
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
PHOTOS: VCU escapes Richmond, lively Robins Center in 97th Capital City Classic
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) points to a teammate during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) shoots the ball during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
A young Richmond fan stands and waves during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Nyk Lewis brings the ball up the court against Richmond at the Robins Center on Feb. 14.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Barry Evans (5) brings the ball up the court during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
A young Richmond fan stands and waves during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Nyk Lewis (1) dribbles the ball during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) defends as Richmond guard Will Johnston (4) passes the ball during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Michael Belle, who's 6-8, shot over downed University of Richmond guard Will Johnston, who's 6-3, during the Rams' 78-67 win at the Robins Center on Feb. 14.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond forward Jaden Daughtry (2) defends the ball during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard Will Johnston (4) is defended by VCU guard Nyk Lewis (1) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Barry Evans (5) passes the ball during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Michael Belle (8) celebrates after winning a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Michael Belle (8) shoots the ball over Richmond center Mike Walz (21) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
A Richmond fan yells during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU’s Tyrell Ward dunks the ball over Richmond’s Jonathan Beagle during the Rams’ Atlantic 10 victory at the Siegel Center on Saturday night. Ward scored 10 points in 12 minutes off the bench as VCU stretched its winning streak to nine games.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCUs Barry Evans was boxed out by UR's Mike Walz when the teams met at the Robins Center on Feb. 14. Walz said of the Spiders' games going forward, “we’ve got to be more gritty and physical than every team we play … That’s just a mindset we have to harness and continue with it.”
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
A Richmond fan yells during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Michael Belle (8) drives with the ball during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Brandon Jennings (0) celebrates after winning a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Tyrell Ward (15) drives with the ball, defended by Richmond center Mike Walz (21) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Tyrell Ward dunks the ball over Richmond forward Jonathan Beagle during Saturday's game at the Robins Center.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Brandon Jennings (0) and forward Michael Belle (8) celebrate after winning a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Brandon Jennings (St. Christopher's) looks to pass during VCU's victory over Richmond at the Robins Center. Jennings, coming off the bench for the first time this season, scored seven points in 20 minutes for the Rams, who saw a 20-point halftime lead whittled to two with about six minutes left.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
UR coach Chris Mooney: "I think all of those things that we stress all the time, because they are very repetitive things, they have to show up and coaches have to insist that they show up and demand that they show up until they do."
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard AJ Lopez (6) shoots the ball past VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard AJ Lopez (6) drives with the ball, defended by VCU guard Ahmad Nowell (4) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond players run out on the floor before a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
A VCU fan celebrates during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard Aiden Argabright (3) shoots the ball during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond players run out on the floor before a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) celebrates during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Richmond center Mike Walz (21) dribbles the ball, defended by VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) celebrates during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard AJ Lopez (6) defends the ball from VCU forward Jadrian Tracey (2) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Richmond guard Collin Tanner (5) defends as VCU forward Barry Evans (5) brings the ball up the court during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard AJ Lopez (6) defends the ball from VCU forward Jadrian Tracey (2) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU fans cheer before a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Richmond center Mike Walz (21) defends as VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) looks to make a pass during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard Aiden Argabright (3) brings the ball up the court during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard AJ Lopez (6) drives with the ball defended by VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Richmond guard AJ Lopez (6) drives with the ball during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU junior forward Michael Belle, who's 6-8 and 220 pounds, was defended by University of Richmond freshman Aiden Argabright, who's 5-11 and 155 pounds, when the teams met at the Robins Center on Feb. 14.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. yells to his players during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Richmond guard Will Johnston (4) drives with the ball, defended by VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Richmond guard Will Johnston (4) drives with the ball, defended by VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) during a basketball game at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Richmond guard Mikkel Tyne (1) celebrates during a basketball game against VCU at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. speaks to a referee during a basketball game against Richmond at the Robins Center, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
