Notre Dame to Face Villanova in Rome Sunday
The Fighting Irish play the Wildcats at noon on Sunday in the Eternal City Tip-Off event.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball
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Notre Dame is set to square off against Villanova this Sunday at noon in Rome. The matchup serves as part of the neutral-site Eternal City Tip-Off doubleheader.
Why it matters
This international showcase presents a high-profile test for both programs early in the season. Fans can catch the action on FS1 as both teams look to translate their recent exhibition performances to the main stage.
Notre Dame forced 27 turnovers and scored 46 points from them in their recent exhibition win. Villanova guard Jasmine Bascoe enters the game coming off a season where she averaged 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per game.
The players
Jasmine Bascoe
She is a key guard for Villanova who averaged 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per game last season.
Kennedy Henry
She is a defensive contributor for Villanova who averaged 2.3 steals per game last season.
The details
Notre Dame enters the game following an exhibition where six different players reached double digits in scoring. Meanwhile, Kennedy Henry provides a defensive spark for Villanova, recently recording 5 blocks and 7 rebounds in an exhibition against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Timeline
Notre Dame played an exhibition game against Truman State on Oct. 26.
The game against Villanova is scheduled for noon on Nov. 1.
Season Trajectory
This game serves as a key early-season test for both programs as they build resumes for post-season consideration. Competing in the Eternal City Tip-Off adds a unique neutral-site challenge that differentiates this matchup from standard non-conference play.
Viewers can watch the game on FS1 starting at noon. The outcome will be a critical data point for those tracking individual player efficiency metrics like Bascoe's scoring output or Henry's defensive impact.
The takeaway
Early-season neutral-site games like this require players to adjust quickly to travel and international environments. Following the defensive efficiency of teams like Notre Dame in exhibition play provides a strong indicator of their potential success this year.
Further reading
Get the latest updates on the team at South Bend Basketball.
Live Poll
Do you believe college basketball teams should play their regular season games in international locations?
