Notre Dame opens basketball season with victory over Villanova in Rome

The Notre Dame men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season on Sunday with a 74-72 victory over Villanova at the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome, Italy, Yahoo College Basketball and ESPN reported. The Fighting Irish overcame a second-half deficit to secure the win. [1][4]

During the second half of the contest, Notre Dame forward Brady Koehler executed a dunk while defended by Villanova guard Tyler Perkins, according to photos provided by Yahoo College Basketball. ESPN and Yahoo College Basketball both reported that the game featured a comeback by the Fighting Irish in the final period. [1][4][8]

Prior to the season-opening games in Rome, the basketball programs from Villanova and Notre Dame attended a papal audience, WOWK 13 News, KRQE, WBTW, and myMotherLode.com reported. The travel to Rome featured both men's and women's contests for the programs, according to reports by KTVN, theScore, and thereporteronline. [2][3][5][6][7][9][10][11]

In women's action at the event, Notre Dame player Hannah Hidalgo featured prominently as the Fighting Irish earned a victory against Villanova, according to reports by theScore and thereporteronline. The combined results ensured a sweep of the opening games in Rome for Notre Dame, KTVN reported. [3][9][10]