Notre Dame and Villanova will open the 2026 college basketball season with a doubleheader in Rome, playing at the Palazzo dello Sport on November 1. The venue lies just six miles from the Vatican, linking the event to the Catholic heritage shared by both programs. The matchup will feature men’s and women’s teams from the two schools, underscoring the deep history of Catholic basketball in America.
The choice of Rome as the season opener draws attention to the century-long influence of Catholic institutions on the sport. Pope Leo XIII, the first American-born pope and a Villanova alumnus, is part of the backdrop, though the Vatican has not commented on whether he will attend, especially after his recent lung cancer diagnosis.
Basketball’s early growth owed much to Catholic colleges and YMCAs in urban areas. The sport’s modest requirements suited these schools well. Notre Dame, for instance, was named national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1927 and again in 1936, before the NCAA tournament began crowning champions in 1939.
Catholic programs have won 10 NCAA men’s basketball championships, three of which belong to Villanova. Holy Cross claimed the first in 1947, with Bob Cousy on the roster as a freshman reserve. La Salle followed with a 1954 title led by Tom Gola, a future Hall of Famer who anchored one of the era’s dominant teams.
The University of San Francisco’s back-to-back titles in 1955 and 1956 broke racial barriers with three Black starters, including Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. The Dons’ 57-1 record over those two seasons set a high standard. Loyola Chicago’s 1963 championship, with four Black starters, further challenged segregation in the sport.
John Thompson’s 1984 Georgetown team became the first NCAA champion coached by a Black head coach. Thompson, a practicing Catholic, faced challenges recruiting Black players to the predominantly white Jesuit university but gained support after a racist incident in 1975. He was known for draping a white towel over his shoulder during games, honoring his mother.
Villanova’s basketball history includes Rollie Massimino, whose 1985 team upset Georgetown in the NCAA final as an eighth seed, the lowest ever to win the title. Massimino coached at Villanova for 19 seasons and passed away in 2017, with his funeral held on campus. Jay Wright succeeded him in 2001, coaching for 21 seasons and winning NCAA championships in 2016 and 2018. Three players from Wright’s teams contributed to the New York Knicks’ NBA title earlier this year.
Ray Meyer holds the record for the longest coaching tenure at a Catholic men’s college program with 42 years at DePaul, compiling 724 wins. His teams from 1942 to 1946 featured George Mikan, widely regarded as basketball’s first superstar.
Lou Carnesecca coached St. John’s for 24 seasons, known for his cheerful personality, distinctive sweaters, and Catholic faith. Al McGuire led Marquette from 1964 to 1977, winning the NCAA title in his final season. McGuire was known for mixing brashness with prayer in his pep talks and once defended his coaching choices against a priest’s objection, then went on to win the NIT.
Mark Few, head coach at Gonzaga since 1999, is not Catholic but the son of a Presbyterian minister. His Zags have made 27 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including two Final Fours.
The Rome doubleheader will spotlight this legacy of Catholic college basketball. The event is scheduled for the start of the 2026 season, with no further Vatican involvement confirmed.
According to Yahoo Sports.
