Duke Selected as Preseason ACC Basketball Favorite

The Blue Devils enter the season as the team to beat after winning back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference titles.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball

Duke Selected as Preseason ACC Basketball Favorite

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Does roster depth matter more than coaching for a team to win a conference title?

Duke has been named the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball championship for the upcoming season. The team looks to build on a successful 27-9 record from last year as they pursue their third straight conference title.

Why it matters

Conference teams are aiming to break a two-year absence from the NCAA Final Four. Duke enters the season ranked fourth nationally as they lead the competitive ACC field.

Duke enters the season ranked fourth in the nation after finishing the previous campaign with a 27-9 record. Louisville serves as the primary challenger, coming off a 29-8 finish.

The players

Duke University

This Durham-based university currently holds the title of the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball championship.

Hannah Hidalgo

A standout guard for Notre Dame, she led the country in steals last year while maintaining an average of 25.3 points per game.

Khamil Pierre

The N.C. State forward led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounds during the previous season with an average of 11.9 per game.

Louisville

The university's women's basketball program finished last season with a 29-8 record and is viewed as the top challenger to Duke.

The details

Duke won its previous two conference crowns using a tight seven-player rotation. They face intense competition from conference rivals, including N.C. State forward Khamil Pierre, who averaged 11.9 rebounds per game last season, and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, who led the nation with 5.6 steals per game.

Duke was selected as the ACC favorite in the preseason of 2026.
Louisville reached the Final Four in 2022.
Virginia Tech reached the Final Four in 2023.
N.C. State reached the Final Four in 2024.

Season Trajectory

The conference is attempting to return to the Final Four after failing to qualify for the event over the past two seasons. This trajectory follows the momentum set by the 2024 N.C. State Final Four appearance as teams compete for the top seed.

Duke must manage its narrow seven-player rotation to maintain its top-four national ranking. Readers should note that conference challengers now include three new transfers recently ranked among the top 20 nationally.

The takeaway

Duke will need to leverage its experienced core to withstand the aggressive defensive play seen across the conference. Fans should monitor the integration of new transfers as teams fight to improve the ACC's overall standing in the national rankings.