Deadspin | Notre Dame, Villanova to open basketball season in Rome St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. ( Mark Vergari / The Journal News ) Villanova and Notre Dame will open their 2026-27 basketball seasons on Nov. 1 in Rome. The men’s and women’s teams from both schools will play a doubleheader in the Italian capital that day in what has been named the Eternal City Tip-Off. It is no shock that these two schools were chosen to take part, given that they are two of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. Plus, this is a pairing that will remind Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, of home. Well-known as a sports fan, particularly of the Chicago White Sox, the pope is very familiar with these teams. Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he lived less than a two-hour drive from the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind. And he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova in 1977, at the same time creating a foundation for eventually joining the priesthood. “Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sport, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” said the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the president of Notre Dame. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans. We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history.” In Italy, the teams will meet in a welcome reception at a spot overlooking Rome, have the opportunity to attend a shared mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and take part in a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV before the basketball games. Cultural and educational events also are being built into the itinerary. “This extraordinary experience reflects the very best of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission — uniting faith, learning and community in a global setting,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, the president of Villanova. “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.” Fox Sports will broadcast the games. The men will tip off at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the women at noon. The playing venue has yet to be announced. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Notre #Dame #Villanova #open #basketball #season #Rome

Deadspin | Notre Dame, Villanova to open basketball season in Rome
St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. ( Mark Vergari / The Journal News )

Villanova and Notre Dame will open their 2026-27 basketball seasons on Nov. 1 in Rome.

The men’s and women’s teams from both schools will play a doubleheader in the Italian capital that day in what has been named the Eternal City Tip-Off.

It is no shock that these two schools were chosen to take part, given that they are two of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. Plus, this is a pairing that will remind Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, of home.

Well-known as a sports fan, particularly of the Chicago White Sox, the pope is very familiar with these teams. Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he lived less than a two-hour drive from the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind. And he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova in 1977, at the same time creating a foundation for eventually joining the priesthood.

“Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sport, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” said the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the president of Notre Dame. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans. We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history.”

In Italy, the teams will meet in a welcome reception at a spot overlooking Rome, have the opportunity to attend a shared mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and take part in a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV before the basketball games. Cultural and educational events also are being built into the itinerary.

“This extraordinary experience reflects the very best of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission — uniting faith, learning and community in a global setting,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, the president of Villanova. “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.”

Fox Sports will broadcast the games. The men will tip off at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the women at noon. The playing venue has yet to be announced.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Notre #Dame #Villanova #open #basketball #season #Rome

Sports news April 17, 2026

St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
( Mark Vergari / The Journal News )

Villanova and Notre Dame will open their 2026-27 basketball seasons on Nov. 1 in Rome.

The men’s and women’s teams from both schools will play a doubleheader in the Italian capital that day in what has been named the Eternal City Tip-Off.

It is no shock that these two schools were chosen to take part, given that they are two of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. Plus, this is a pairing that will remind Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, of home.

Well-known as a sports fan, particularly of the Chicago White Sox, the pope is very familiar with these teams. Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he lived less than a two-hour drive from the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind. And he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova in 1977, at the same time creating a foundation for eventually joining the priesthood.

“Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sport, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” said the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the president of Notre Dame. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans. We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history.”

In Italy, the teams will meet in a welcome reception at a spot overlooking Rome, have the opportunity to attend a shared mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and take part in a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV before the basketball games. Cultural and educational events also are being built into the itinerary.

“This extraordinary experience reflects the very best of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission — uniting faith, learning and community in a global setting,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, the president of Villanova. “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.”

Fox Sports will broadcast the games. The men will tip off at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the women at noon. The playing venue has yet to be announced.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Notre #Dame #Villanova #open #basketball #season #Rome

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen’s Son Ever, 2, Heard Sobbing During Frenzied 911 Call

Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (11) looks to shoot the ball defended by St. Louis City SC midfielder Miguel Perez (28) during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Is dynamic offensive threat Talles Magno finally ready to pay dividends in his second stint with New York City FC?

That question may be answered when NYCFC (3-2-2, 11 points) play host to Charlotte FC (3-2-2, 11 points) on Saturday at Citi Field in a matchup of teams part of the four-way fourth-place logjam in the Eastern Conference.

Magno first made noise as a high-profile teenager in 2021 for the eventual MLS Cup champions. He scored the winning goal as New York City topped Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the conference finals. A year later, Magno posted seven goals and 10 assists.

After being on loan for 17 months to Brazilian team Corinthians, Magno, now 23, returned this season but has yet to start an MLS match.

“There’s a few things he needs to take care of,” coach Pascal Jansen said. “Physically, he’s not at the level yet where he needs to be in order to be competitive enough with the guys that are the starters at the moment.”

Magno flashed his scoring ability on Tuesday, achieving the first hat trick of his professional career while leading NYCFC to a 5-2 win over Westchester SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match.

“I’m working very hard on getting my opportunity to start, given everything that’s possible for the team,” Magno said through an interpreter on Thursday. “I’m working with Pascal to see what I can do to get that opportunity.”

In the meantime, Nico Fernandez (five goals), Maxi Moralez (five assists) and Agustin Ojeda (two goals, one assist) have been supplying firepower for NYCFC.

After a hot start, New York City has gone 0-2-1 in its last three MLS matches. That includes last week’s 2-0 loss at Western Conference leader Vancouver.

Charlotte FC have been heading the other direction. They played four straight matches without a loss before falling last week at home to Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC, 2-1.

Pep Biel paces Charlotte with four goals and two assists while Archie Goodwin has notched three goals.

Charlotte FC also are coming off a 6-0 U.S. Open Cup win on Wednesday over Charlotte Independence as six players dented the net.

NYCFC topped Charlotte FC in the opening round of the MLS playoffs last year, holding them to one goal in the three-match series.

“Some of the players might feel scars because of that,” coach Dean Smith said. “There may be some scars where people have some things to prove but for me, it’s just a new season, new game.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Talles #Magno #awaiting #NYCFC #act #Charlotte #visit">

mwasimuddin125 0

Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (11) looks to shoot the ball defended by St. Louis City SC midfielder Miguel Perez (28) during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Is dynamic offensive threat Talles Magno finally ready to pay dividends in his second stint with New York City FC?

That question may be answered when NYCFC (3-2-2, 11 points) play host to Charlotte FC (3-2-2, 11 points) on Saturday at Citi Field in a matchup of teams part of the four-way fourth-place logjam in the Eastern Conference.

Magno first made noise as a high-profile teenager in 2021 for the eventual MLS Cup champions. He scored the winning goal as New York City topped Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the conference finals. A year later, Magno posted seven goals and 10 assists.

After being on loan for 17 months to Brazilian team Corinthians, Magno, now 23, returned this season but has yet to start an MLS match.

“There’s a few things he needs to take care of,” coach Pascal Jansen said. “Physically, he’s not at the level yet where he needs to be in order to be competitive enough with the guys that are the starters at the moment.”

Magno flashed his scoring ability on Tuesday, achieving the first hat trick of his professional career while leading NYCFC to a 5-2 win over Westchester SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match.

“I’m working very hard on getting my opportunity to start, given everything that’s possible for the team,” Magno said through an interpreter on Thursday. “I’m working with Pascal to see what I can do to get that opportunity.”

In the meantime, Nico Fernandez (five goals), Maxi Moralez (five assists) and Agustin Ojeda (two goals, one assist) have been supplying firepower for NYCFC.

After a hot start, New York City has gone 0-2-1 in its last three MLS matches. That includes last week’s 2-0 loss at Western Conference leader Vancouver.

Charlotte FC have been heading the other direction. They played four straight matches without a loss before falling last week at home to Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC, 2-1.

Pep Biel paces Charlotte with four goals and two assists while Archie Goodwin has notched three goals.

Charlotte FC also are coming off a 6-0 U.S. Open Cup win on Wednesday over Charlotte Independence as six players dented the net.

NYCFC topped Charlotte FC in the opening round of the MLS playoffs last year, holding them to one goal in the three-match series.

“Some of the players might feel scars because of that,” coach Dean Smith said. “There may be some scars where people have some things to prove but for me, it’s just a new season, new game.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Talles #Magno #awaiting #NYCFC #act #Charlotte #visit">Deadspin | Talles Magno awaiting NYCFC second act as Charlotte FC visit