Where North Carolina’s Backcourt Ranks in ACC

Despite the circumstances that the North Carolina Tar Heels found themselves in this offseason, it has been a swift turnaround ever since hiring Michael Malone as the next head coach.

After firing Hubert Davis and losing eight players from last season’s rotation in the transfer portal and the upcoming NBA Draft, the Tar Heels’ roster was in flux, to say the least. That said, Malone and his staff aggressively attacked the portal process while selectively pursuing players who fit the scheme and culture he is attempting to orchestrate in Chapel Hill.

It is apparent that the 54-year-old head coach prioritized strong guard play in his roster reconstruction, acquiring several experienced and multi-dimensional guards to reshape the backcourt. Compared to last season, it is safe to say that the Tar Heels’ backcourt is clearly improved, with multiple guards capable of generating production across multiple avenues. That being said, let’s take a look at where North Carolina’s backcourt ranks in the ACC.

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1. Duke Blue Devils

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) reacts with guard Cayden Boozer (2) in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

What doesn’t Duke have at its disposal heading into next season? Following 2025, it appeared the Blue Devils could undergo a seismic shift in roster turnover. Instead, head coach Jon Scheyer retained the majority of his rotation while adding even more talent to the roster’s embarrassment of riches.

Heading into 2026, Duke’s backcourt rotation consists of Cayden Boozer, John Blackwell, Caleb Foster, and Deron Rippey Jr. For the majority of last season, Boozer was a quiet contributor off the bench, but when Foster suffered a foot injury in the final regular-season game against North Carolina, the overshadowed Boozer twin elevated his production.

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In the final…

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Publish date : 2026-05-29 11:00:00

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