The 2026-27 college basketball season is kicking off a day early for Villanova and Notre Dame, who got a special NCAA waiver to face off on Sunday, November 1, in the Eternal City Tip-Off. This unique matchup in Rome, Italy, not only begins their season before anyone else, but it also lights up the Palazzo dello Sport on All Saints’ Day, honoring Pope Leo XIV, a 1977 Villanova alum.
The Eternal City Tip-Off: Odds Are Set
This is not just any early season game; it is a full-blown international affair, setting the stage for what is sure to be an electric college basketball season. DraftKings Sportsbook has set Villanova as a 7.5-point favorite in this highly anticipated opener. The Over/Under for total points is sitting at 147.5, with the Over at -108 and the Under at -112. If you are looking at the money line, Villanova is at -305, while Notre Dame comes in at +245. The tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET, so be ready to tune in early for this one.
Villanova’s Rebuild: Who’s Left Standing?
Villanova rolls into this season with a completely different look. Last year, they went 24-8 overall and an impressive 15-5 in the Big East. Coach Kevin Willard took over from Jay Wright and, in his first year, showed some serious promise, even though they stumbled in the postseason, losing 86-76 to Utah State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and 74-68 to Georgetown in the conference title game. Now, it is a whole new squad. There has been a ton of turnover, with four of their top five scorers from 2025-26 gone, including their number two, Duke Brennan, and number three, Bryce Lindsay.
So, who is left to lead this team? Guard Tyler Perkins is back, and he is a critical piece. He led the Wildcats last season, averaging 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, which earned him the Big East’s Most Improved Player award. Keep an eye out for 7-foot-3 Italian center Luigi Suigo, who is projected to be an NBA lottery pick. At just 19 years old, he played in Serbia last season, putting up 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in only 18 minutes per game. He could be a game-changer. Plus, Devin Royal, who averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds at Ohio State last season, is another top arrival ready to make an immediate impact.
This early start in Rome is not just a cool travel experience; it is Villanova’s first real test with a radically changed roster under Coach Willard. It is their chance to show what this new-look squad can do right out of the gate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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