In Willard\u2019s first season with the Wildcats, Villanova finished third in the Big East regular season standings and made NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022, the final season in which Jay Wright was the head coach, before losing to Utah State in the Round of 64. <\/p>\n
Notre Dame is looking at a full reset for its program after another disappointing season which saw the Irish finish 16th in the ACC and miss the conference tournament. <\/p>\n
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry saw nearly his entire team enter the transfer portal this spring and is hoping to rebuild the program into a team that can compete for a postseason spot. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly honored to be a part of the Eternal City Tip-Off and open our season in Rome,\u201d Shrewsberry said in a press release<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThis opportunity reflects what makes the University of Notre Dame unique \u2014 combining elite competition with meaningful global and cultural experiences. It\u2019s a special chance for our student-athletes to represent our university on an international stage while growing in ways that extend far beyond basketball.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Irish have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2022 when Mike Brey was the head coach. <\/p>\n Both school\u2019s women\u2019s basketball teams have been excellent as the Irish are led by head coach Niele Ivey and superstar point guard Hannah Hidalgo, who is projected to be a Top 5 pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft, while Villanova has made three NCAA Tournaments in six seasons under head coach Denise Dillon. <\/p>\n
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