Villanova Opens Season in Rome Against Notre Dame

Villanova enters the 2026-27 college basketball season as a 7.5-point favorite over Notre Dame. The match is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, Italy. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the total points line at 147.5 for the contest.

The game takes place one day before the official start of the academic year on Nov. 2. The NCAA granted both teams a waiver to play early. The scheduling decision serves a specific purpose: it honors Pope Leo XIV, who graduated from Villanova in 1977. The date also coincides with All Saints' Day.

Kevin Willard is in his second year as head coach after Jay Wright retired. The Wildcats finished last season 24-8 and advanced to the Big East title game before losing 74-68 to Georgetown. They dropped to Utah State 86-76 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Willard faces a roster with heavy turnover. Four of the top five scorers from 2025-26 have departed. That group includes Duke Brennan and Bryce Lindsay.

Tyler Perkins returns to lead the offense. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last year and received the Big East Most Improved Player award. The team also added Luigi Suigo, a 7-foot-3 Italian center. Suigo played in Serbia last season, averaging 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18 minutes. He is projected to enter the NBA draft as a lottery pick. Other new arrivals include Devin Royal, Jake Fiegen, and Elijah Crawford.

Notre Dame is rebuilding under coach Micah Shrewsberry. The Fighting Irish went 13-18 last season and finished 4-14 in the ACC. They lost top scorers Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson to the transfer portal. Shrewsberry has added Ethan Roberts and his son Braeden Shrewsberry. Roberts averaged 16.9 points for Penn and shot 40.4 percent from three-point range. Braeden Shrewsberry averaged 11.9 points for Notre Dame. The team also added point guard Braeden Smith, Logan Duncomb, and Bryce Dortch.

The Irish scored 74.5 points per game last season, ranking 14th in the ACC. They averaged 36.6 rebounds per game. The Wildcats averaged 77.1 points and 34.2 rebounds per game, placing fifth and ninth in the Big East respectively. Both programs are fielding nearly new rosters for this opening contest.

The game marks the first official action of the season for both teams. The early schedule in Rome creates a unique environment for the players. Villanova relies on Suigo for size and rebounding. Notre Dame depends on its new shooting guards to generate offense. The outcome will set the early tone for both programs as they begin their respective conference schedules.

The tip-off occurs at the Palazzo dello Sport. Fans and media will travel to the Italian capital for the event. The result of this game will be the first official record on the books for both head coaches in the new academic year.