Duke is the ACC favorite again, but Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder has the preseason spotlight originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Duke is the clear favorite to win the 2026-27 ACC men’s basketball title, but the league’s preseason poll also delivered a strong endorsement of Virginia forward Thijs De Ridder.
The Blue Devils received 45 of 48 first-place votes and 861 total points in the poll, announced by the conference Tuesday. Virginia finished second with 778 points, followed by Louisville, Miami and North Carolina. De Ridder was selected as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, while Duke freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje earned preseason rookie honors.
That sets up a compelling early storyline: Duke enters the year with the poll’s overwhelming support, while Virginia has the league’s top returning individual pick and a roster expected to challenge near the top.
Duke’s vote total reflects high expectations
Duke was picked to win the ACC for the third consecutive season and the 11th time in the last 14 years, according to the conference. Its 45 first-place votes made the Blue Devils the decisive choice, though Virginia, Louisville and Miami each received one first-place vote.
The 26-27 ACC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll has been announced. 🔗 https://t.co/0v1AkipHQ0 https://t.co/KKBLee5dPT
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) October 13, 2026
The preseason All-ACC first team features two Duke players: John Blackwell and Patrick Ngongba II. De Ridder was the only unanimous selection, with Louisville’s Flory Bidunga and Miami’s Shelton Henderson rounding out the first team.
Duke’s combination of returning and new talent gives voters a clear reason for their confidence. But a preseason poll is a forecast, not a result. With the conference season not beginning until late December, teams will have weeks of nonconference games to prove whether the ranking matches their form.
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De Ridder gets a chance to build on a big first season
De Ridder averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds across 36 games last season, shooting 50.8% from the field and 35.7% from 3-point range, the ACC reported. He became Virginia’s first preseason ACC Player of the Year since Malcolm Brogdon was selected before the 2015-16 season.
That recognition puts a target on the forward, but it also reflects how quickly he established himself in the league. Virginia was picked second, giving the Cavaliers a credible team platform behind De Ridder’s individual award.
Louisville and Miami are close enough in the poll to keep the top of the league from looking settled. The Cardinals received 758 points and the Hurricanes 753, while North Carolina rounded out the top five at 658.
Duke has the preseason label to defend. Virginia has the player voters expect to lead the challenge. The early months of the season will show whether either prediction holds up.