Picking college basketball’s season opener: Villanova vs. Notre Dame in Rome

The 2026-27 college basketball season tips off at Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, where Villanova faces Notre Dame on All Saints' Day. The matchup carries a local connection, taking place in the region where Villanova's most famous alumnus, Pope Leo XIV, resides. While the pope is not expected to attend the game, there is hope he may hold a private service for the teams and traveling fans, though recent health issues could interfere with those plans.

Betting lines favor the Wildcats, who return to the NCAA Tournament last season under first-year coach Kevin Willard after a three-year absence. Villanova earned an 8-seed but fell to Utah State in the opening round. The roster returns leading scorer Tyler Perkins (13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds) and Matt Hodge (9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds), though Hodge missed the final four games last season and three exhibitions this month with a torn ACL. Ohio State transfer Devin Royal and big man Kwame Evans are expected to bolster the lineup after Duke Brennan transferred to Oklahoma.

Villanova ranked 301st nationally in free-throw percentage and 284th in free-throw rate last season, according to Bart Torvik. Brennan shot just 61.3 percent on a team-high 173 attempts, while freshman Acaden Lewis struggled from the line and beyond the arc before transferring to Miami. His departure may help, especially with the addition of St. Bonaventure transfer Darryl Simmons II, who shot 42.4 percent from three and 89.9 percent from the foul line.

Notre Dame enters the season under pressure in Micah Shrewsberry's fourth year. The Fighting Irish have yet to post a winning record under Shrewsberry and are 19-39 in ACC play. After a 10-4 start last season, defensive issues mounted and Notre Dame failed to win consecutive conference games, missing the ACC tournament entirely. Opponents shot nearly 60 percent from two-point range against the Irish, highlighting the defensive shortcomings that have defined Shrewsberry's tenure.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal