The 2026-27 college basketball season begins Sunday with a historic matchup between Villanova and Notre Dame at Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, Italy. The NCAA granted a special waiver allowing the teams to start one day earlier than usual, marking the first men's season opener on foreign soil and the first regular-season Division I basketball game in Italy.
Game Details
The men's game tips off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 1, at Palazzetto dello Sport, a venue seating approximately 3,500 that has been in use since the 1950s. The game will be televised on Fox and streamed on fubo. Immediately following the men's contest, Notre Dame's women's team will face Villanova in a doubleheader.
Catholic Connections and Papal Audience
Both universities are prominent private Catholic institutions with ties to Pope Leo XIV. Robert Francis Prevost, the Pope's birth name, is a 1977 Villanova alumnus, while Notre Dame is regarded as the world's most prominent Catholic university and maintains an outpost in Rome. On Saturday, the Pope held a private audience with all four teams and traveling fans, with approximately 7,000 people expected in the Paul VI audience hall at the Vatican.
Notre Dame's Roster Overhaul
Notre Dame enters the season under significant pressure after losing its three leading scorers from last season — Markus Burton, Jalen Haralson, and Cole Certa — to the transfer portal. Coach Micah Shrewsberry, heading into Year 4 of his tenure, faces the program's longest NCAA Tournament drought since the 1990s. A win against a Villanova team that won 24 games last season would provide a crucial early boost.
Villanova's Strengths and Italian Connection
Despite losing star point guard Acaden Lewis to the portal, Villanova returns a strong roster led by Tyler Perkins. Freshman center Luigi Suigo, a 7-foot-3 Italian native dubbed "Italian Wemby," will play in his home country and is already drawing attention as a potential 2027 NBA Draft prospect.
Expert Predictions
Most analysts favor Villanova in the matchup. Of five CBS Sports experts, four pick Villanova to cover the 7.5-point spread, with only Matt Norlander selecting Notre Dame. The consensus expects a close game early before Villanova pulls away in the final minutes.
