The ACC launched its preseason predicted order of end on Tuesday forward of the 2025-26 faculty basketball season.Duke was picked to win the convention within the annual preseason ballot, whereas NC State ahead Darrion Williams was given convention preseason Participant of the Yr honors. Williams transferred from Texas Tech to NC State to play for first-year coach Will Wade this offseason.
After reaching the Closing 4 for the primary time within the Jon Scheyer period, Duke will look to get again to school basketball’s largest stage with a handful of key newcomers on the roster. A type of gamers is former five-star ahead Cameron Boozer — the son of former NBA nice and Duke participant Carlos Boozer — who’s in rivalry to be the No. 1 general decide within the 2026 NBA Draft.
AP High 25 ballot reactions: North Carolina overrated, Kansas underrated in preseason faculty basketball rankings
Cameron Salerno
Rounding out the highest 5 of the ACC standings behind Duke are Louisville, North Carolina, NC State and Virginia. Two of these groups may have first-year coaches in Wade (at NC State) and Ryan Odom (at Virginia). Odom was employed this offseason to exchange former coach Tony Bennett, who retired simply weeks earlier than Virginia’s season-opener final fall.
Right here is the total ballot, adopted by overrated and underrated observations from the anticipated order of end.
ACC preseason predicted order of end
Overrated: North Carolina
Predicted end: 3
I wrote about North Carolina earlier this week and why they have been labeled “overrated” in our annual preseason AP High 25 ballot overview. The Tar Heels have been preseason ranked No. 25 in that ballot, and I defined why NC State ought to’ve gotten the nod on the last spot, so it’s solely proper to double down as a result of UNC was picked forward of NC State on this ballot, too.
This season goes to be a make-or-break 12 months for UNC coach Hubert Davis. After entering into the NCAA Match as one of many last 4 groups within the area, UNC must be higher this season to keep away from sweating on Choice Sunday. UNC’s resume included only one win over a ranked opponent and the Tar Heels went 0-3 towards Duke. I do like North Carolina’s frontcourt of Caleb Wilson and Arizona switch Henri Veesaar. Alabama switch Jarin Stevenson can be somebody who might contribute to successful. I nonetheless suppose UNC is an NCAA Match group, however the Tar Heels are going to have to indicate up in marquee nonconference video games towards Kentucky, Kansas and Michigan State this season. Betting odds to win convention +700
Underrated: NC State
Predicted end: 4
The hype round NC State is actual. Lower than two years faraway from a miraculous run to the Closing 4 below former coach Kevin Keatts, Wade has assembled a roster that may compete for the ACC crown instantly.
The apparent headliner from NC State’s portal class is Williams, who performed an enormous position in Texas Tech reaching the Elite Eight this previous spring. Williams is a bulldozer down low and is a matchup nightmare for smaller defenders. He can elevate the ground and ceiling of this group. Tre Holloman (Michigan State), Terrance Arceneaux (Kentucky) and Ven-Allen Lubin (North Carolina) are three extra names I’m maintaining a tally of. I wouldn’t be shocked if NC State finishes within the high three of the ACC standings. Betting odds to win convention +700
Overrated: Virginia
Predicted end: 5
Final season was chaotic for Virginia, as this system completed ninth within the ACC with an 8-12 convention report. The Cavaliers went out and employed Odom away from his publish at VCU to carry life again into this system. The rent was good in a nutshell, however I’ve questions concerning the roster that make me suppose Virginia might end under fifth within the last convention standings.
I additionally like a number of the groups behind Virginia, equivalent to SMU, Clemson, Miami and Syracuse (extra on them shortly). The identify I’m maintaining a tally of this season is San Francisco switch Malik Thomas, who averaged almost 20 factors per recreation final season. If he can carry scoring to a group that completed No. 346 amongst all Division I groups in scoring offense, Virginia might outperform its preseason rating. Betting odds to win convention +2200
Underrated: Syracuse
Predicted end: 9
Much like Davis at North Carolina, that is additionally a make-or-break season for coach Adrian Autry at Syracuse. This system completed 14-19 final season (7-13 in ACC play) and missed the NCAA Match for the fourth consecutive season.
Syracuse is my sleeper group within the ACC this 12 months. J.J. Starling returns and this system additionally added a pair of top-35 recruits from the 2025 cycle in Sadiq White Jr. and Kiyan Anthony, who’s the son of former Syracuse nice and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Exterior of the highest 4 or 5 groups, the ACC is large open. Search for Syracuse to complete within the high half of the ACC standings. Betting odds to win convention +5000
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Preseason All-ACC First Workforce
Second Workforce
Underrated: Isaiah Evans, G/F, Duke
Out of all of the returners within the ACC, there’s not a participant that has an opportunity to enhance his draft inventory greater than Evans. The previous blue-chip recruit primarily got here off the bench throughout his freshman season and regardless of receiving some draft buzz, determined to return to highschool for his sophomore season.
Evans has been in comparison with former Duke participant and present member of the Toronto Raptors, Brandon Ingram. Evans shot 41.6% from the 3-point line final season in 13.7 minutes per recreation. He has an opportunity to solidify himself as Duke’s second-best participant behind Boozer. If he does that, he will probably be within the operating to earn first-team ACC honors.
Overrated: Ryan Conwell, G, Louisville
It’s by no means simple to single out any participant on these lists, but when I had to decide on one, it could be Conwell. A part of that reasoning is how a lot of a step ahead I feel Evans will take at Duke this season. The opposite issue is that Louisville is loaded with expertise. I firmly consider that Mikel Brown Jr. — whether or not it’s from Day 1 or in March — would be the Cardinals’ finest participant.
Conwell was certainly one of a number of key newcomers on Louisville’s roster. He had a incredible season at Xavier and posted comparable scoring numbers throughout his 2023-24 season at Indiana State. Conwell is a quantity 3-point shooter who will assist tremendously. A part of my reasoning is that there will probably be a number of mouths to feed, which might open the door for somebody like Evans to land on the primary group over Conwell.
