Drew Valentine: Loyola Chicago has best PG, defender in A-10
By SAM LANCE
Every team in college basketball would love to be elite at the point guard position and have a center who can clean everything up defensively. Loyola Chicago has both heading into the season, and each may just be the best in the Atlantic 10.
Starting with their point guard, the Ramblers return Justin Moore from last season, who started nine games before a season-ending knee injury. He’s been fully cleared for a couple weeks now, and Valentine is excited to have him back. Moore averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 assists in 2024-25 before he went down.
“I think he’s the best point guard in our league,” Valentine said. “He’s just so dynamic. He takes care of the ball. He’s a really good defender. He’s improved as a shooter. I think he’s more comfortable and understands me and understands, ‘Yo, you got the keys bro. Like run it. Keep this thing afloat.'”
While Moore is still not 100% back conditioning wise, he’s working at it everyday and should be set for a breakout season. He, along with senior guard Kymany Houinsou and senior big man Miles Rubin, are the Ramblers three returning starters, who helped them land No. 5 in the preseason poll.
Rubin was selected to both the conference preseason First Team and All-Defensive team after averaging 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a season ago.
“He’s the best defensive player in the league,” Valentine said. “I’ve watched him for two years, the impact that he has. The numbers would show it. The on and off numbers would show it. The impact, the way that he not only can protect the rim, and we talk about that, but he can switch and sit down on the perimeter.”
Usually, Valentine still gives Rubin crap and acts like he’s not a good perimeter defender so Rubin doesn’t feel himself and still locks in on it. He added Rubin has gained 15 pounds this offseason, allowing him to be even more quick and explosive, which should pay off this year.
“He has a total identity,” Valentine said. “I think that’s not only why he’s the best defender in the country, but why he’s a pro. You can plug and play him at the highest level because of what he does.”
With the best point guard in the league and best defender, the Ramblers have two cornerstone pieces that could help them reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years. It’s just a matter of executing on the floor.
“We expect to be contending for multiple championships this year,” Valentine said.
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