Notre Dame defeated Villanova 74-70 in the men's college basketball season opener played at Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, Italy, on November 1, 2026.
The Fighting Irish secured the victory in the international contest, with forward Brady Koehler (No. 6) featuring prominently in the first half against Wildcats guard Darryl Simmons II (No. 8).
The game marked the start of the 2026-27 NCAA season for both programs, with Notre Dame emerging victorious in the historic venue.
