Villanova and Notre Dame’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have been given “special clearance by the NCAA to open next season in Rome for a doubleheader” on Nov. 1, according to sources cited by Matt Norlander of CBSSPORTS.com. The game will be played one day prior to the official start of the season at the Palazzetto dello Sport. The “motivation for the overseas twinbill” is Pope Leo XIV, as the two prominent private Catholic schools both have connections to him. However, sources said that the Pope’s “involvement in the event -- if any -- is unclear and very much to be determined.” Sources said that Villanova and Notre Dame “worked in concert on arranging the game for months,” with talks “seriously materializing in the early fall.” Sources said that Fox is “on board to broadcast both games” (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/10).
Report: Villanova, Notre Dame hoops to open next season with Rome doubleheader
