Get ready for a thrilling season of ACC women’s basketball, because the stage is set for some serious competition! Duke has been crowned the conference favorite, fresh off a conference title and an Elite Eight appearance, but here’s where it gets controversial—can they live up to the hype? The Blue Devils snagged 40 first-place votes and a whopping 1,525 points from 70 voters, including the league’s head coaches and the prestigious Blue Ribbon Panel. Among their standout players, Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson aren’t just returning starters—they’re Preseason All-ACC Team material. And let’s not forget Fournier’s historic win as the 2024-25 ACC Rookie of the Year, the first Blue Devil to claim that title since Elizabeth Williams in 2012. But here’s the kicker: is Duke’s success a sure bet, or are other teams poised to steal the spotlight?
Speaking of contenders, NC State isn’t far behind, securing second place with 25 first-place votes and 1,487 points. Zoe Brooks and newcomer Khamil Pierre are Preseason All-ACC Team selections, and the Wolfpack’s brutal non-conference schedule—including matchups against Tennessee, USC, and TCU—could either make or break their season. And this is the part most people miss: NC State’s Sweet 16 run last year might just be the foundation for something bigger. But can they handle the pressure?
North Carolina and Louisville are hot on their heels, with the Tar Heels earning one first-place vote and 1,374 points, and the Cardinals snagging two first-place votes and 1,276 points. UNC’s Reniya Kelly and Louisville’s Tajianna Roberts and Laura Ziegler are all Preseason All-ACC Team picks, but Louisville’s season opener against UConn in Ramstein, Germany, is a bold statement—or a risky move. Will it pay off?
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame. The reigning ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year is a force to be reckoned with. Averaging 23.8 points per game and leading the conference in steals (3.7 per game), Hidalgo is already a legend in the making. But here’s the controversial question: Can she carry the Fighting Irish to the top, or will they remain just outside the elite tier?
And don’t sleep on Stanford’s Nunu Agara, who joins Hidalgo on the Preseason All-ACC Team. The Cardinal also boast two players on the inaugural Preseason All-Freshman Team: Hailee Swain and Lara Somfai. But with Stanford ranked sixth in the poll, are they underdogs or overlooked contenders?
As the season tips off on November 3, with California and Duke facing off in Paris, France, one thing is clear: the ACC is stacked. With eight teams in the NCAA Tournament for seven straight years and a 23-year streak of Elite Eight appearances, this conference is the gold standard. But which team will rise to the top? And here’s the ultimate question: Is Duke’s dominance a foregone conclusion, or will this season crown a new champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is just heating up!
