Villanova Wildcat Wit and Wisdom by Ascher Marks

November 2, 2026

Villanova fell to Notre Dame 74-72 in the college basketball tipoff game in Rome. It’s a big week for holy matchups. This Catholic school matchup Sunday morning, and then BYU heads to Utah this Saturday. With their 20 turnovers, the pressure of performing in the alum Pope’s backyard was a little too much for Nova. Tyler Perkins did his best with 18 points and five of the team’s 11 threes, but freshman Luigi Suigo was pretty underwhelming in his return to Italy. His seven points and five boards in 24 minutes didn’t live up to the hype.

Kevin Willard’s comments and demeanor at halftime were odd, too. A coach whose identity is being intense and aggressive, was instead calm and reserved when his team only had a four-point lead and 15 turnovers. I know Catholic Guilt is a powerful weapon, but did he think Pope Leo would take him back to the Vatican to try him for wrath? He was in the stands when the White Sox won the World Series. I think he would’ve let a little anger fly with a win.