Villanova and Notre Dame open season with Rome doubleheader
Pope Leo XIV will meet the teams in a private audience before the games, which air on Fox and FS1 on Sunday.
By Jessica Abebe ·
Villanova and Notre Dame will open the college basketball season with a doubleheader in Rome on Sunday. The men's game airs on Fox at 9:30 a.m. ET, while the women's game follows on FS1 at noon. The event is part of the Eternal City Tip-Off, a series of high-profile matchups designed to engage casual fans early in the season.
Ahead of the games, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to hold a private audience with all four teams and their traveling fans on Saturday. Approximately 7,000 people are expected to attend the event in the Paul VI audience hall inside the Vatican. The plans for the audience were finalized before the 71-year-old pope had the lower lobe of his right lung removed earlier this month and was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Villanova head coach Kevin Willard has visited Italy frequently with his family. He has toured the Sistine Chapel and the Pope Carriage Pavilion, which houses historical popemobiles. Willard described the Vatican as one of the most unbelievable experiences one could have. He noted that the trip is not a summer tour, but a balance between enjoying the location and preparing for the season.
"If you've never been to the Vatican, you've never been to Rome, it's one of the most unbelievable experiences you could ever go to," Willard said. He added that meeting the leader of the Catholic Church would be a special experience for his players, regardless of their personal faith.
The men's game marks the home debut for Villanova freshman center Luigi Suigo. The 19-year-old from Tradate, Varese, is a projected NBA draft lottery pick. Suigo said the only thing he misses about home is his food.
Villanova was picked to finish second in the Big East preseason women's poll. Coach Denise Dillon said her team could use support in beating No. 13 Notre Dame. Dillon joked that the team would rely on the power of the pope. Pope Leo XIV, who is from Chicago, commented on the crowd composition during a trip in September. He said that 90% of the people attending the match are Villanova supporters, creating a strong voice for the Wildcats.
The visit includes a welcome reception for fans, a basketball clinic for local children, and a private mass led by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez. Notre Dame point guard Braeden Smith said the opportunity to travel with teammates and make new memories is a great experience. Irish swingman Ethan Roberts noted that few schools receive the chance to play in Rome.
The series includes other high-profile matchups, such as a Duke at Kansas exhibition game. College basketball has sought to open seasons with major events to capture attention before March. The 1985 Villanova team remains the lowest-seeded champion in national basketball history. Notre Dame has won two women's championships but its men's team is still seeking an NCAA title.
The Fox network is eliminating one of its NFL pregame shows to accommodate the men's game. The women's game will air immediately after the men's contest. The audience with the pope is contingent on his health permitting. The teams will travel to Italy for the duration of the events.
Willard said the trip is too important an experience to skip. He believes the team will gain from the time spent in Rome. The games will serve as the official start to the Big East season for both programs. The crowd in the Paul VI hall is expected to be large, with fans from both schools attending the private audience.
