The Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball preseason poll has set the stage for an electrifying season, projecting the Duke Blue Devils to claim back-to-back championships while anointing Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo as the Preseason Player of the Year, signaling a potent mix of established power and emerging individual brilliance.
The upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball season is already buzzing with anticipation, as media panels have cast their votes, strongly favoring the Duke Blue Devils to secure their second consecutive league championship. This projection sets a high bar for Duke, who enter the season ranked prominently in national polls. Meanwhile, the spotlight also falls brightly on Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, whose exceptional talent earned her the distinction of Preseason Player of the Year.
Duke’s Path to a Potential Repeat
The Duke Blue Devils, currently holding the No. 7 spot in the Associated Press Top 25, garnered significant support from the media panel. Out of 70 first-place votes, Duke received 40, clearly establishing them as the team to beat. Their projection to repeat as champions comes after a successful campaign last year, where they clinched the ACC title by defeating rivals North Carolina State in a memorable championship game, as reported by the Associated Press.
The competition is expected to be fierce, with North Carolina State receiving 25 first-place votes and projected to finish second. The Wolfpack are followed closely by perennial powerhouses North Carolina, Louisville, and Notre Dame. In total, five schools received at least one vote to win the conference, highlighting the depth of talent across the ACC. The official Atlantic Coast Conference preseason poll, announced by a media panel, detailed the full standings:
- Duke
- North Carolina State
- North Carolina
- Louisville
- Notre Dame
- Stanford
- Virginia
- Miami
- Florida State
- Virginia Tech
- Clemson
- California
- Syracuse
- SMU
- Georgia Tech
- Pitt
- Boston College
- Wake Forest
Hannah Hidalgo: The Fighting Irish’s Dynamic Leader
Amidst the team projections, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo stands out as the unanimous choice for Preseason Player of the Year. Hidalgo, who is known for her electrifying play, is poised to build on a phenomenal last season where she averaged 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 3.6 assists. Her impressive stat line underscores her all-around impact on the court for the Fighting Irish.
Hidalgo herself has expressed a desire to take on a bigger leadership role with Notre Dame, a sentiment that resonates with fans eager to see her guide the team to new heights. She dominated the voting for Preseason Player of the Year, securing 53 votes and comfortably surpassing North Carolina State’s Zoe Brooks, who finished second in the ballot.
Preseason Honors: All-ACC and All-Freshman Teams
The preseason buzz extends beyond team rankings and individual awards, with the announcement of the Preseason All-ACC team and the Preseason All-Freshman team. These selections offer a glimpse into the league’s top talent and rising stars, providing fans with key players to watch throughout the season.
The 10-person Preseason All-ACC team features a strong contingent of established players:
- Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame)
- Kymora Johnson (Virginia)
- Toby Fournier (Duke)
- Ashlon Jackson (Duke)
- Tajianna Roberts (Louisville)
- Laura Ziegler (Louisville)
- Zoe Brooks (NC State)
- Khamil Pierre (NC State)
- Reniya Kelly (North Carolina)
- Nunu Agara (Stanford)
Looking to the future, the Preseason All-Freshman team highlights promising newcomers who are expected to make an immediate impact:
- Emilee Skinner (Duke)
- Hailee Swain (Stanford)
- Lara Somfai (Stanford)
- Nyla Brooks (North Carolina)
- Aliyahna “Puff” Morris (California)
- Leah Macy (Notre Dame)
The Season Ahead: Fan Anticipation and Rivalry Dynamics
The preseason projections paint a clear picture of the ACC’s hierarchy, but as any seasoned fan knows, the court is where true champions are forged. Duke’s quest for a repeat will be a central storyline, facing fierce competition from NC State, North Carolina, and Louisville, teams hungry to dethrone the reigning champions. The individual brilliance of Hannah Hidalgo will also draw significant attention, as her leadership and scoring prowess could elevate Notre Dame into a serious contender.
The balance of power, the emergence of new talent, and the established rivalries make the upcoming ACC women’s basketball season one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Fans across the conference will be closely watching to see if Duke can live up to the expectations, and if Hidalgo can transcend her preseason honors to lead her team to glory.
