The Villanova Wildcats and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will open the 2026-27 college basketball season a day early in Rome, Italy, as part of the Eternal City Tip-Off on Sunday, November 1. The NCAA granted a waiver allowing the game to be played on All Saints' Day, November 1, before the official season start on Monday, November 2. The event also honors Pope Leo XIV, a 1977 Villanova graduate. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET at the Palazzo dello Sport.
Betting Odds
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Villanova enters as a 7.5-point favorite. The money line lists Villanova at -305 and Notre Dame at +245. The over/under for total points is set at 147.5, with the over at -108 and the under at -112.
Villanova Preview
Villanova finished 24-8 last season (15-5 Big East) but lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Utah State in Kevin Willard's first year as head coach. The Wildcats also fell to Georgetown in the Big East championship game. Four of the top five scorers from 2025-26 have departed, including Duke Brennan and Bryce Lindsay. Returning guard Tyler Perkins, who averaged 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds and was named Big East Most Improved Player, will lead the offense. Willard is also counting on 7-foot-3 Italian center Luigi Suigo, a projected NBA lottery pick who averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18 minutes per game in Serbia last season. Key transfers include Devin Royal (13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds at Ohio State), Jake Fiegen (17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds at Cornell), and Elijah Crawford (14.1 points, 4.9 assists at Illinois-Chicago). Villanova averaged 77.1 points and 34.2 rebounds per game last season.
Notre Dame Preview
Notre Dame went 13-18 overall (4-14 ACC) last season under coach Micah Shrewsberry, who is 41-56 in three seasons. The Fighting Irish lost top scorers Markus Burton (Indiana) and Jalen Haralson (Tennessee), accounting for nearly 35 points per game. Shrewsberry rebuilt the roster through the transfer portal, adding former Penn sharpshooter Ethan Roberts (16.9 points, 40.4% from three), his son Braeden Shrewsberry (11.9 points, 40.2% from three), veteran point guard Braeden Smith (5.1 points, 3.6 assists at Gonzaga), Big South Player of the Year Logan Duncomb (18.3 points at Winthrop), and 6-foot-9 forward Bryce Dortch (Rutgers). Notre Dame averaged 74.5 points and 36.6 rebounds per game last season.
Prediction
Despite both rosters undergoing significant turnover, Villanova is viewed as the superior side. Suigo's size advantage and the Wildcats' experience under Willard are expected to be decisive. The travel, novelty of playing in Rome, and weekend activities may suppress scoring early, favoring the under. The pick is Villanova -7.5.
