Duke named No.1 in ACC's 2026-27 preseason poll: Virginia, Clemson overrated; Miami underrated
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Duke was overwhelmingly picked to finish first in the ACC preseason media poll, receiving 45 of 49 first-place votes, with Louisville, Virginia, Miami, and North Carolina rounding out the top five.
- Duke returns key players Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, and Patrick Ngongba II, while adding former Wisconsin star John Blackwell and top freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2028.
- Miami is viewed as an underrated team due to strong transfer additions like Acaden Lewis and Somto Cyril, with the team's ceiling rising significantly if Malik Reneau is eligible to play.
- Virginia and Clemson are considered overrated, with Virginia facing a tough schedule and Clemson dealing with injuries and reliance on new transfers, potentially leading both teams to finish lower than predicted.
- Syracuse is seen as a potential surprise team under new coach Gerry McNamara, bolstered by transfer portal acquisitions and promising players like Gavin Doty and Kiyan Anthony.
