Catholic schools Notre Dame, Villanova to open hoops season in Rome with men’s-women’s doubleheader

Notre Dame and Villanova will kick off the basketball season with a men’s and women’s doubleheader in Rome, Italy, on November 1. This event, hosted by the Catholic universities, aims to celebrate their shared mission and heritage, featuring special programming that combines academics, athletics, and spirituality. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian friar and Villanova alumnus, the event includes a shared Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, a papal audience, and private Vatican tours. The men’s game will be broadcast nationally on Fox, and the women’s game on FS1. The trend of college teams playing overseas is growing, with international talent on the rise. Future games in Croatia and Serbia are planned as part of the new College Basketball International Series. QUESTION: How might international games like this influence the global perception of college basketball?