One ACC Newcomer Duke Basketball Must Monitor

The Duke basketball program will once again enter the college basketball season as the team to beat out of the ACC, but this is probably the deepest the league has been in any of the last several seasons.

Squads such as Louisville, Virginia, Miami, and North Carolina all have the potential to challenge the Blue Devils for the ACC crown in 2026-27. Duke is looking to secure its third straight ACC regular-season and tournament titles, and the program has gone a combined 36-2 in conference play over the last few seasons.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer stands on the court during a practice session ahead of the east regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Jon Scheyer’s club will face North Carolina and Virginia both at home and on the road, and will take on Miami and Louisville once. All of those programs have reloaded and have legitimate potential to compete on a national scale. However, as Duke fans know, both bouts with the Tar Heels are the most highly anticipated of the entire year.

Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts towards referee Danielle Scott (87) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

North Carolina Had a Chaotic Offseason

North Carolina fired head coach Hubert Davis after five seasons, following a second consecutive exit in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Heels brought in former NBA champion Michael Malone to take over at the helm. Malone won a title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

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As it usually is with a head coaching change, North Carolina saw a large number of departures after Davis was let go. Eight of the team’s top 10 scorers from a season ago are no longer with the program, but Malone had a very successful first offseason with UNC despite arriving late.

Mar 26, 2025; Denver,…


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Publish date : 2026-06-09 10:00:00

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