Duke Dominates ACC Preseason Poll as UNC Enters New Era Under Malone

Key points

• Duke received 45 of 48 first-place votes to top the ACC preseason media poll, securing the favorite status for a third straight season.
• North Carolina was projected to finish fifth in the conference, behind Duke, Virginia, Louisville, and Miami, in its first season under coach Michael Malone.
• Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder was named ACC Preseason Player of the Year, while Duke’s 7-foot-2 freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje won Preseason Rookie of the Year with 34 votes.
• No North Carolina players were selected for the Preseason All-ACC teams, though Maximo Adams received three votes for Rookie of the Year.
• UNC’s early schedule includes games against Indiana, Charlotte, and Western Carolina before opening ACC play against California on December 30.

Background

North Carolina recently parted ways with Hubert Davis after the 2025-26 season and hired former NBA champion Michael Malone on April 7. The Tar Heels won their first exhibition game against USC 88-70 on October 9. This preseason poll follows a period where UNC and other ACC rivals have lobbied Congress to modify the Protect College Sports Act regarding conference realignment restrictions.

How outlets are covering it

While all outlets agree on the final rankings, CBS Sports offers a more critical view of the top contenders, labeling Virginia and Clemson as 'overrated' and Miami as 'underrated.' CBS Sports analyst Cameron Salerno argues that Miami’s transfer portal additions, particularly Acaden Lewis and Somto Cyril, could propel them higher than the fourth-place pick suggests. Conversely, On3 and WRAL focus primarily on the raw voting numbers and the historical significance of Duke’s third straight title prediction. Card Chronicle highlights Louisville’s third-place finish, noting their acquisition of Flory Bidunga from Kansas, though it offers less analysis on the broader conference landscape compared to CBS Sports.

Why it matters

The preseason poll sets the stage for a competitive ACC season, with Duke’s dominance continuing and North Carolina facing scrutiny as it transitions to a new coaching era. The lack of UNC players on the All-ACC teams may indicate a rebuilding phase, while the high rankings for Duke and Virginia suggest a deep conference. For North Carolina, the fifth-place pick serves as a baseline for expectations under Malone, who brings NBA experience but limited college head coaching history.

What to watch

North Carolina will face Indiana in Indianapolis on October 18, followed by a home game against Charlotte on October 27. The regular season opener is set for November 2 against Western Carolina, with ACC play beginning on December 30 against California. Duke’s Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje will be a key player to watch as he attempts to live up to his Preseason Rookie of the Year status.