Villanova and Notre Dame will tip off the 2026-27 college basketball season in Rome, Italy, at Palazzo dello Sport on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET. The matchup marks the second season for Villanova coach Kevin Willard, who led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in 2026, while Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry enters his fourth season still seeking his first tournament appearance after a 13-18 record last year.
Villanova enters as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 147.5 points. The Wildcats are listed at -325 on the money line, while the Fighting Irish are +260. Both teams underwent significant roster turnover via the transfer portal: Notre Dame added Braeden Smith and Ethan Roberts, while Villanova brought in six transfers.
Defensive struggles characterized both programs last season. Villanova allowed 71.2 points per game, the most since 2010-11, and Notre Dame surrendered 75.3 points per game. Analyst Eric Cohen projects the total to stay under 148.5 points, citing travel and body-clock adjustments from the transatlantic trip as factors that could suppress scoring.
Cohen, who posted a 79-68 record in college basketball picks entering the season, also identified a critical x-factor influencing the spread. The game will be streamed on Fubo.
