Duke enters ACC season as preseason favorite

The No. 2 ranked Duke Blue Devils are entering Jon Scheyer’s fifth season as the preseason favorites to win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title. Following consecutive conference championships and a period of producing national players of the year, the team aims to maintain its dominance through roster depth and a balance of frontcourt size and guard experience.

Duke’s roster features returning NBA prospects Patrick Ngongba II and Dame Sarr, alongside high-profile transfer John Blackwell from Wisconsin and recruit Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje. The Blue Devils face significant competition in the ACC from No. 9 Virginia, No. 11 Louisville, and No. 14 Miami.

Virginia enters the season with preseason ACC player of the year Thijs De Ridder, while Louisville remains a top contender following a transfer-heavy retooling effort.