The Atlantic Coast Conference is gearing up for a thrilling 2025-26 season, with the No. 6 ranked Duke Blue Devils once again tabbed as the favorites to repeat as champions, despite a significant roster overhaul. Meanwhile, N.C. State senior forward Darrion Williams has been recognized as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year, highlighting the individual talent set to ignite the conference.
In a decision that underscores the enduring strength of its program, the No. 6 ranked Duke Blue Devils have been selected to defend their Atlantic Coast Conference title for the upcoming 2025-26 men’s basketball season. This comes despite the departure of Cooper Flagg and four other key players to the NBA draft. The media panel, comprising 49 voters, cast 34 first-place votes in favor of the Blue Devils, signaling continued confidence in Coach Jon Scheyer’s system and recruiting prowess.
Following closely in the preseason poll is No. 11 Louisville, which captured the remaining 15 first-place votes and is projected to finish second. The Cardinals’ high ranking is a testament to their remarkable turnaround under second-year coach Pat Kelsey, who guided them to the 2025 ACC Championship game.
Williams Takes Center Stage as Preseason Player of the Year
Individually, N.C. State’s Darrion Williams has claimed the prestigious title of Preseason Player of the Year. The senior forward, who was a force for the Wolfpack last season averaging 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds, received 23 first-place votes. His selection highlights his consistent performance and leadership, positioning him as a dominant figure in the ACC this year.
Williams narrowly edged out Duke’s highly touted freshman, Cameron Boozer, who secured 19 votes for Player of the Year and was overwhelmingly named Preseason Rookie of the Year with 43 votes. This strong recognition for both veterans and newcomers sets the stage for exciting individual matchups throughout the season.
Duke’s Rebuilding Challenge and Scheyer’s Confidence
The faith placed in Duke by the media panel speaks volumes about the program’s ability to reload. Coach Scheyer acknowledged the challenges of integrating new talent while maintaining a championship standard. “I’ve seen great hunger, which is what gives me great confidence for this team,” Jon Scheyer stated at the ACC media days in Charlotte. “So do I wish we had a little bit more experience? Yeah, of course. But at the end of the day, you want the best combination of skill sets complementing one another, but then also, you need really good talent that fits for how we’re going to play, which I believe we have.”
This “hunger” will be crucial as the Blue Devils navigate a conference featuring rapidly improving teams and established powers. The departure of key players means new faces will need to step up quickly to meet the high expectations placed on the program, a recurring theme in Duke’s storied history of developing talent for the next level, as often discussed by the AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll.
Louisville’s Stunning Resurgence Under Pat Kelsey
The Cardinals’ ascent to the second spot in the preseason poll is a direct reflection of Pat Kelsey’s transformative first year. Louisville experienced a dramatic turnaround in 2025, compiling a 27-8 overall record, which surpassed their win total from the previous three seasons combined. This remarkable achievement earned Kelsey the ACC Coach of the Year award and marked the program’s return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, as reported by AP News. The team’s successful season culminated in a hard-fought appearance in the 2025 ACC Championship game against Duke.
Kelsey and his staff wasted no time building on this momentum, significantly bolstering the roster for the upcoming season. Key additions include three top-25 transfers in Ryan Conwell, Isaac McKneely, and Adrian Wooley. Furthermore, top-25 class of 2025 prospects Mikel Brown Jr. and Sananda Fru are joining the fold, alongside veterans J’vonne Hadley and Ka Sean Pryor, who are utilizing extra years of eligibility. This blend of experienced transfers and elite freshmen positions Louisville as a formidable contender.
Preseason All-ACC Selections
The preseason All-ACC teams showcase a mix of established stars and promising young talents, reflecting the depth of the conference.
First Team All-ACC:
- Darrion Williams (NC State)
- Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Markus Burton (Notre Dame)
- Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
- Ryan Conwell (Louisville)
Second Team All-ACC:
- Boopie Miller (SMU)
- J.J. Starling (Syracuse)
- Isaiah Evans (Duke)
- Baye Ndongo (Georgia Tech)
- Caleb Wilson (North Carolina)
The Full Conference Picture: Preseason Poll Results
Beyond the top contenders, the poll outlines a competitive landscape across the conference. Here’s a look at how the 49 media members predicted the finish for all 18 ACC teams:
- Duke (34 first-place votes), 866 points
- Louisville (15 first-place votes), 842 points
- North Carolina, 741 points
- NC State, 710 points
- Virginia, 623 points
- SMU, 616 points
- Clemson, 510 points
- Miami, 500 points
- Syracuse, 489 points
- Notre Dame, 477 points
- Wake Forest, 412 points
- Virginia Tech, 355 points
- Georgia Tech, 315 points
- Pitt, 301 points
- Florida State, 221 points
- California, 156 points
- Stanford, 138 points
- Boston College, 107 points
Anticipation Builds for the 2025-26 Season
With Duke’s perennial powerhouse status, Louisville’s dramatic rise, and star talents like Darrion Williams and Cameron Boozer leading their respective teams, the 2025-26 ACC men’s basketball season promises to be a captivating spectacle. Fans can look forward to intense rivalries, breakout performances, and a fierce battle for conference supremacy. The stage is set for a season rich with narratives, from dynasty aspirations to individual brilliance, making it a must-watch for college basketball enthusiasts.
