Villanova and Notre Dame to Open Season in Rome
The college basketball teams are set to play their season openers in Rome on November 1, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you believe college basketball teams should play their regular season games in international locations?
Villanova and Notre Dame will begin their 2026-27 college basketball campaigns in Rome on November 1, 2026. The matchup features both men's and women's teams playing in the Italian capital.
Why it matters
The international trip offers high-profile exposure for the programs, with both teams expected to engage in a scheduled audience with the Pope during their visit.
Villanova center Luigi Suigo stands 7-foot-3, while Notre Dame guard Braeden Shrewsberry recorded a 40.2% 3-point percentage last season. Shrewsberry also averaged 11.9 points per game, alongside teammate Brady Koehler who averaged 5.6 points per game.
The players
Luigi Suigo
He is a 19-year-old, 7-foot-3 center playing for Villanova who previously competed for clubs in Milan and Belgrade.
Braeden Shrewsberry
He is a Notre Dame guard who averaged 11.9 points per game during the previous basketball season.
The details
The trip highlights the global expansion of college basketball programs as they head to Italy for their season-opening events. Villanova enters the season with expectations of competing for the Big East title, while Notre Dame looks to improve its standing within the 18-team Atlantic Coast Conference.
Timeline
November 1, 2026: The teams are scheduled to play their season openers in Rome.
Season Trajectory
This international opening game sets a unique tone for the 2026-27 season, potentially impacting team rhythm and travel fatigue before conference play begins. It places these programs in a distinct competitive category as they balance high-stakes exhibition travel with early-season conference goals.
Fans should monitor the roster depth for Villanova, specifically regarding center Luigi Suigo, who recently recorded two fouls in 76 seconds during exhibition play. Notre Dame supporters can look for continued efficiency from Braeden Shrewsberry, who shot 40.2% from beyond the arc last season.
The takeaway
Early-season international travel serves as a major test for college rosters before they return to domestic conference schedules. Programs often utilize these trips to build team chemistry while navigating the logistical challenges of playing on foreign soil.
Further reading
For more on the upcoming college season, visit the Basketball section.
Live Poll
Do you believe college basketball teams should play their regular season games in international locations?
