rv Villanova 75 vs. #13 Notre Dame 99
Box Score | Highlights
* Villanova opened the season with a 99-75 loss to #13 Notre Dame in the Eternal City Classic in Rome, Italy.
* Jasmine Bascoe led the Wildcats with 26 points and nine assists in the team's first meeting since 2018.
* EJ Bender recorded 14 points and seven rebounds in her collegiate debut.
* Villanova struggled offensively in the first half, shooting 31.4 percent from the field over the first two quarters.
* The Wildcats trimmed Notre Dame's lead to 57-40 in the third quarter, but the Fighting Irish maintained control the rest of the way.

A Busy Opening Week
On Monday, Nov. 2, No. 2 UConn hosts Cornell at 5 p.m. on Peacock/NBCSN, while Creighton travels to face San Diego State at 8 p.m. on Midco Sports. Monday's slate also includes Butler, St. John's, Xavier and Georgetown. Tuesday features four more BIG EAST contests, with Seton Hall, DePaul, Providence and Marquette each hosting opponents at either 7 or 7:30 p.m. The week's marquee matchup arrives Thursday, Nov. 5, when No. 2 UConn travels to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on FS1. Xavier also hits the road to face Northwestern at 8 p.m., while Butler and Georgetown close out the evening with home contests.

Fanta in 60 
NBC Sports will air an opening-night marathon from Hartford, with second-ranked UConn hosting Cornell at 5 p.m. ET, featuring John Fanta, Edona Thaqi, and sideline reporter Caroline Pineda on the call. Following postgame coverage from the studio in Stamford, a brand-new Fanta in 60 show airs live from PeoplesBank Arena from 7:30-8:30 pm ET. The episode is highlighted by an exclusive sit-down with Fanta, Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley talking through the powerhouse programs at Connecticut and their friendship. 

Opening Week Schedule (through Thursday)
Monday, Nov. 2
Tennessee Tech at Butler, 11 a.m. Stats | ESPN+
Lafayette at St. John's, 2 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Cornell at #2 UConn, 5 p.m. Stats | Peacock/NBCSN
Xavier at Purdue Fort Wayne, 7 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Delaware State at Georgetown, 7 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Creighton at SDSU, 8 p.m. Stats | Midco Sports
 
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Mercyhurst at Seton Hall, 7 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Evansville at DePaul, 7 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Stonehill at Providence, 7 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Miss. Valley State at Marquette, 7:30 p.m. ESPN+
 
Thursday, Nov. 5
#2 UConn at Michigan, 6:30 p.m. Stats | FS1
Lipscomb at Butler, 6:30 p.m.  Stats | ESPN+
American at Georgetown, 7 p.m. Stats | ESPN+
Xavier at Northwestern, 8 p.m. Stats | B1G+