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The arrival of basketball season is eagerly anticipated across the ACC, particularly at programs like North Carolina and Louisville where fans are hungry for a fresh start.
In preparation for ACC media days on October 6-7 in Charlotte, writers from the USA TODAY Network who cover the conference submitted their preseason predictions, all-conference teams, and individual awards.
Duke emerged as the unanimous choice to capture the conference title, and the Blue Devils also claimed all three major preseason honors: Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Freshman of the Year.
Yet the poll indicates that the league is far from a one-team showcase.
Key Analysis
Several compelling narratives will shape the 2026-27 ACC season. How will the Mike Malone experiment unfold at North Carolina? Can Gerry McNamara revive Syracuse? Will Louisville's transfer acquisitions turn the Cardinals into a contender? And can Jai Lucas at Miami and Ryan Odom at Virginia guide their respective programs to the next level?
Here is how the writers envision the season playing out:
Predicted Order of Finish
- Duke (unanimous)
- Virginia
- Louisville
- Miami
- North Carolina
- Clemson
- Virginia Tech
- Florida State
- Syracuse
- NC State
- SMU
- Stanford
- Pitt
- Cal
- Wake Forest
- Notre Dame
- Boston College
- Georgia Tech
Preseason All-ACC Teams
First Team
- Thijs DeRidder, Virginia
- John Blackwell, Duke
- Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
- Flory Bidunga, Louisville
- Shelton Henderson, Miami
Second Team
- Jackson Shelstad, Louisville
- Dame Sarr, Duke
- Acaden Lewis, Miami
- Chance Mallory, Virginia
- Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Duke
denotes unanimous selection
Preseason Player of the Year
John Blackwell, Duke
Blackwell, a transfer from Wisconsin, was among the most sought-after players in the portal after averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game last season, which earned him third-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Others receiving votes: Patrick Ngongba II, Duke; Thijs DeRidder, Virginia; Flory Bidunga, Louisville; Seth Trimble, Louisville.
Preseason Newcomer of the Year (non-freshman)
John Blackwell, Duke
Blackwell steps into a loaded Duke backcourt that returns Cayden Boozer and Caleb Foster while adding true freshman Deron Rippey Jr. He is capable of playing both point guard and shooting guard.
Others receiving votes: Flory Bidunga, Louisville.
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Duke
At just 17 years old, Boumtje Boumtje reclassified from Duke's 2027 recruiting class. Standing 7-2, he is the tallest player on the Blue Devils' roster and the son of former Georgetown standout Ruben Boumtje Boumtje.
Despite his youth, his teammates believe he is ready for the college game.
"He's looked like he's belonged out there," Patrick Ngongba II said. "The physicality doesn't seem like it's been impacting him at all."
Others receiving votes: Caleb Gaskins, Miami; Cameron Williams, Duke; Aziz Olajuwon, Stanford; Maximo Adams, North Carolina.
Poll participants: Tom Noie (South Bend Tribune), Jordan Mendoza (USA TODAY), John Leuzzi (USA TODAY Network), Brooks Holton (Louisville Courier Journal), Nick Coppola (Greenville News), Craig Meyer (USA TODAY Network), Liam Rooney (Tallahassee Democrat), Anna Snyder (Fayetteville Observer), Rodd Baxley (Fayetteville Observer).
Originally reported by yahoo.