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Coverage dated October 29, 2026 to November 2, 2026

Notre Dame wins college hoops opener in Rome, despite Villanova having pope’s support

Headline from WISH-TV Indianapolis, on the newest of 3 developments

ROME (AP) — Villanova had the pope’s support and many more traveling fans. Notre Dame scored the most when it counted, though. The Fighting Irish produced a late comeback for a 74-72 win in the men’s game that opened the college basketball season in Rome on Sunday.

WISH-TV Indianapolis's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

3 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Villanova touches down in Rome for college basketball season opener and papal audience

    Headline from WHEC Rochester ·

  2. Notre Dame beats Villanova 74-72 in men's college basketball season opener in Rome

    Headline from WANE Fort Wayne ·

  3. Newest

    Notre Dame wins college hoops opener in Rome, despite Villanova having pope’s support

    Headline from WISH-TV Indianapolis ·

3 reports not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

18 articles, oldest first.

  1. KAAL Rochester

    Villanova touches down in Rome for college basketball season opener and papal audience (opens KAAL Rochester)

    Published

    KAAL Rochester's feed description

    It hit Villanova coach Kevin Willard early Thursday morning when he got off the charter flight that carried the university’s men’s and women’s teams to Rome for Sunday’s season-opening college basketball doubleheader against Notre Dame.

  2. Philadelphia Inquirer

    How Villanova is balancing a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip to Rome with an important season opener (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)

    Published

    Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description

    There’s a balance to strike this weekend in Rome. Kevin Willard wants his team to make the most of the experience, but it's also a “business trip.”

  3. Las Vegas Review-Journal

    Picking college basketball’s season opener: Villanova vs. Notre Dame in Rome (opens Las Vegas Review-Journal)

    Published

    Las Vegas Review-Journal's feed description

    Villanova appears to be the stronger team heading into its season opener in Rome against Notre Dame.

  4. New York Post

    College basketball tips off with Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome—How to watch (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    The 2026-27 college basketball season is tipping off in the Eternal City.

  5. ABC 7 Chicago

    Villanova and Notre Dame open college basketball season in Rome following papal audience (opens ABC 7 Chicago)

    Published

    ABC 7 Chicago's feed description

    The Villanova and Notre Dame men's and women's teams are meeting in a doubleheader in Rome to open the college basketball season.

  6. Philadelphia Inquirer

    Notre Dame beats Villanova 74-72 in men's college basketball season opener in Rome (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)

    Published

    Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description

    Brady Koehler scored key baskets down the stretch and Notre Dame made a late comeback after trailing for most of the second half to beat Villanova 74-72 in the college basketball season opener in Rome

  7. Philadelphia Inquirer

    Villanova collapses late in season-opening loss to Notre Dame in Rome (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)

    Published

    Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description

    Villanova blew a 10-point second-half lead in a 74-72 loss to Notre Dame in the first game of the college basketball season on Sunday.

  8. Sun Times

    Notre Dame tops Villanova in college basketball game honoring Pope Leo XIV (opens Sun Times)

    Published

    Sun Times's feed description

    ROME — Villanova had Pope Leo XIV's support and many more traveling fans. Notre Dame scored the most when it counted, though. The Fighting Irish produced a late comeback for a 74-72 win in the men's game that opened the college basketball season in Rome on Sunday.

  9. WISH-TV Indianapolis

    Notre Dame wins college hoops opener in Rome, despite Villanova having pope’s support (opens WISH-TV Indianapolis)

    Published

    WISH-TV Indianapolis's feed description

    ROME (AP) — Villanova had the pope’s support and many more traveling fans. Notre Dame scored the most when it counted, though. The Fighting Irish produced a late comeback for a 74-72 win in the men’s game that opened the college basketball season in Rome on Sunday.

  10. Philadelphia Inquirer

    Villanova had the the pope's support. Notre Dame swept the wins in college hoops openers in Rome (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)

    Published

    Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description

    Villanova had the pope’s support and many more traveling fans

  11. Philadelphia Inquirer

    Villanova had the pope's support. Notre Dame swept the games in college hoops openers in Rome (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)

    Published

    Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description

    Villanova had the pope’s support and many more traveling fans

  12. Philadelphia Inquirer

    ‘We’ll figure it out’: Six key questions from Villanova men’s loss to Notre Dame in Rome (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)

    Published

    Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description

    The four-day spectacle ended with a 74-72 loss for the Wildcats. It was a pretty ugly start to the season, and there are plenty of questions about what this team needs to learn most.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

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