Get ready for a season of high-stakes hoops drama—Duke Blue Devils have just been crowned the top pick in the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball preseason rankings, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating year of competition!
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Duke truly unbeatable after their recent dominance, or could an underdog team shake things up? Dive in as we break down the full preseason predictions, voted on by the league's 18 coaches and a esteemed Blue Ribbon Panel of 70 voters in total. Coming off a conference championship and a deep run to the Elite Eight—think of that as the sweet spot in the NCAA Tournament where only the top eight teams remain standing—Duke didn't just earn the number one spot; they dominated with 40 first-place votes and a whopping 1,525 total points. For beginners, these rankings are like a crystal ball into the season, based on expert opinions about each team's potential strength.
Key players are already making waves. Among Duke's four returning starters, standout Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson made the Preseason All-ACC Team, which honors the conference's best talents before the games even tip off. And get this—Fournier snagged the 2024-25 ACC Rookie of the Year award, marking the first Blue Devil to achieve that since Elizabeth Williams back in 2012. It's a big deal, as rookies like Fournier bring fresh energy and untapped potential to elevate their teams right from the start.
NC State isn't far behind, landing in second place with 25 first-place votes and 1,487 points. Their stars Zoe Brooks and newcomer Khamil Pierre also earned spots on the Preseason All-ACC Team. The Wolfpack are gearing up after reaching the Sweet 16—imagine advancing past the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, where 16 teams are left battling—and they'll face one of the toughest non-conference schedules out there. That includes neutral-site showdowns against powerhouse teams like Tennessee and USC, plus a home game against TCU. For context, non-conference games are like warm-ups against rivals outside your league, testing how you stack up before the real battles begin.
North Carolina grabbed third with just one first-place vote but a solid 1,374 points, building on their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2022. Senior guard Reniya Kelly earned a nod on the Preseason All-ACC Team after averaging 9.6 points per game last season, second-best on her team. Louisville follows closely in fourth, with two first-place votes and 1,276 points. Their dynamic duo of Tajianna Roberts and newcomer Laura Ziegler joined the Preseason All-ACC Team too. The Cardinals kick off the year in an unusual spot: Ramstein, Germany, at Ramstein Air Base, facing off against UConn. It's a prime example of how global travel can add excitement—and extra challenges—to the sport.
Notre Dame claimed fifth place with two first-place votes and 1,255 points, headlined by the sensational Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. As a unanimous first-team All-America pick from last season, Hidalgo stands out as one of just two ACC players averaging over 20 points per game (an impressive 23.8 for her) and leading the conference in steals per game (3.7). Hailing from Merchantville, New Jersey, she's already surpassed 1,500 career points (1,551 in just two seasons) and ranks as the second-highest scoring junior in the country. And this is the part most people miss: With her blend of scoring prowess and defensive tenacity, Hidalgo could be the game-changer every team fears.
Stanford edged into sixth with 1,041 points, thanks to Nunu Agara's inclusion on the Preseason All-ACC Team. The Cardinal also boast the only team with multiple players on the new Preseason All-Freshman Team, spotlighting talents like Hailee Swain and Lara Somfai. This freshman team is a fresh twist, debuting this season after years of a Newcomer Watch List since 2010.
Virginia rounds out the top seven with 987 points, highlighted by 2024-25 All-ACC First Team honoree Kymora Johnson on the Preseason All-ACC Team. She finished sixth in conference scoring against ACC foes at 17.3 points per game last year.
The top 10 continues with Miami (889 points), Florida State (857), and Virginia Tech (813). Beyond that, it's Clemson (11th, 738), California (12th, 669), Syracuse (13th, 540), SMU (14th, 483), Georgia Tech (15th, 447), Pitt (16th, 299), Boston College (17th, 211), and Wake Forest (18th, 157).
Speaking of newcomers, the Preseason All-Freshman Team includes Stanford's Swain and Somfai, along with California's Aliyahna 'Puff' Morris, Duke's Emilee Skinner, North Carolina's Nyla Brooks, and Notre Dame's Leah Macy. These young stars represent the future of ACC basketball, bringing energy and unpredictability to the court.
The 2025-26 season kicks off on Monday, November 3, with nine teams hitting the hardwood. Highlights include California and Duke heading to Oui Play in Paris, France, becoming the third and fourth ACC squads to start overseas after Notre Dame in 2023 and Louisville in 2024. It's a thrilling way to globalize the game, exposing players to international audiences and perhaps even new playing styles.
And here's a controversial take: With the ACC sending eight teams to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last seven seasons—the most of any conference—and maintaining an Elite Eight streak of 23 years (longest active in college sports), some might argue these preseason picks are just hype. Could a mid-tier team like Syracuse or Pitt defy the odds and crash the party? What do you think—will Duke defend their title, or is there room for a Cinderella story? Share your predictions and hot takes in the comments below; we'd love to hear if you agree or disagree with these expert votes!
