Villanova and Notre Dame open basketball season in Rome, with Pope Leo XIV as alumnus
The gist
Villanova and Notre Dame open their basketball seasons in Rome on Nov 1, with the NCAA granting a waiver to start a day early.
Villanova's only papal alumnus, Leo XIV, gives the game its pull, though his attendance isn't public.
How it unfolded
- Oct 18, 2026Jasmine Bascoe played in a Villanova women's preseason exhibition game.
- Oct 27, 2026Tyler Perkins, already named Preseason All-BIG EAST, was named to the West Award preseason watch list.
- Oct 29, 2026Villanova arrived in Rome on Thursday morning, led off the plane by head coach Kevin Willard.