The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is poised for a competitive season, arguably one of the deepest in recent years. The Duke Blue Devils, having dominated the ACC with a record of 36-2 over the past two seasons and winning both the regular-season and tournament titles, head into the year as the favorites again. On March 27, 2026, Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer expressed confidence in the team's depth and experience, which he considers championship-ready.
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Duke returns four of its top six scorers from last season's NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed and has added standout transfers John Blackwell from Wisconsin and Drew Scharnowski from Belmont, alongside an impressive recruiting class. This combination of continuity and talent might make this season more challenging, but Duke remains the strongest team in the conference.
Virginia, ranked second, will be a significant contender. Under head coach Ryan Odom, the Cavaliers return four of their top six scorers, including leading scorer Thijs De Ridder, who averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season. Virginia has also recruited Arkansas State transfer Christian Harmon, who averaged 12.8 points per game last season.
Miami, placed third, is looking to build on its successful turnaround with head coach Jai Lucas. With forward Malik Reneau granted a fifth year of eligibility and other key players returning, Miami is expected to challenge for the top spots in the ACC. The Hurricanes also enhanced their roster with notable transfers such as Acaden Lewis and Somto Cyril.
Louisville, ranked fourth, has brought in the No. 2 overall transfer class, featuring players from various programs, including Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga and Oregon's Jackson Shelstad. While their talent is undeniable, team chemistry will be a concern since most players have yet to compete together.
North Carolina rounds out the top five but faces significant challenges after a roster overhaul following Hubert Davis's departure. Michael Malone has made several portal additions, but uncertainty remains regarding the team's backcourt and frontcourt dynamics. Young talents like freshman Sayon Keita represent potential, but their inexperience raises questions about the team's performance.