Notre Dame stages late comeback to knock off Villanova in Rome to open men's college basketball season

Notre Dame overcame a six-point deficit in the final four minutes to beat Villanova 74-72 to officially begin the 2026-27 men's college basketball season.

The two Catholic universities met in the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome in honor of Chicago-born and Villanova alum Pope Leo XIV. Villanova controlled most of the game, but the Irish scored five straight points to steal the win. Literally.

As Notre Dame trailed 68-67, Gonzaga transfer Braeden Smith got a steal with 1:29 to go. Smith slowed the pace down after pushing it into Villanova's half, and found a wide-open Logan Duncomb at the top of the key. The senior big man wasn't afraid to shoot, and buried the go-ahead jumper.

Smith's steal was Notre Dame's 14th of the day.

After Villanova missed a shot, Smith buried two more free throws to give the Fighting Irish a two-possession lead with 24 seconds to go.

Villanova had a chance to tie the game with under 10 seconds remaining, but Elijah Crawford's mid-range jumper didn't fall.

The pope was not in attendance on Sunday, but he did meet with the teams after they arrived in Rome.

Both Smith and Brady Koehler had 16 points for Notre Dame, while Villanova's Tyler Perkins had 18. Smith also had four steals as Villanova committed 20 turnovers. The steals allowed Notre Dame to win despite shooting 35% from the field.