DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — The Triangle is once again poised to be the center of women’s basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season.
On Tuesday, the ACC preseason poll was released, and all three teams sit at the top. Duke team has been voted to finish first in league standings, with NC State second and North Carolina third.
The Blue Devils return last season’s ACC Rookie of the Year, Toby Fournier, as well as Ashlon Jackson. Both have earned spots on this year’s preseason All-ACC Team. Kara Lawson also has a heralded freshman in Emilee Skinner coming in. Skinner has been named on the league’s preseason All-Freshman team.
Wes Moore and NC State lost a lot of firepower in the offseason as their stars were drafted into the WNBA. But junior guard Zoe Brooks is back for the Wolfpack, and she and Vanderbilt transfer Khamil Pierre have both been named to the preseason All-ACC Team.
The Tar Heels’ Reniya Kelly, who finished second on the team in scoring last year, is also on the preseason All-ACC Team. Nyla Brooks, an incoming guard for Courtney Banghart’s team, has also been named to the preseason All-Freshman Team.
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, has been picked to once again win the award this season.
The 2025-2026 regular season begins Monday, Nov. 3.
The preseason poll and teams were voted on by the ACC’s 18 coaches as well as a panel for a total of 70 voters.
ACC women’s basketball 2025-2026 preseason poll
| Predicted finish | Program (first place votes) | Points |
| 1. | Duke (40) | 1,525 |
| 2. | NC State (25) | 1,487 |
| 3. | North Carolina (1) | 1,374 |
| 4. | Louisville (2) | 1,276 |
| 5. | Notre Dame (2) | 1,255 |
| 6. | Stanford | 1,041 |
| 7. | Virginia | 987 |
| 8. | Miami | 889 |
| 9. | Florida State | 857 |
| 10. | Virginia Tech | 813 |
| 11. | Clemson | 738 |
| 12. | California | 669 |
| 13. | Syracuse | 540 |
| 14. | SMU | 483 |
| 15. | Georgia Tech | 447 |
| 16. | Pitt | 299 |
| 17. | Boston College | 211 |
| 18. | Wake Forest | 157 |