Ranking each ACC basketball team as conference play begins

2. Duke

Duke is a favorite to win an ACC title and national championship nearly every year and the same is true in 2023-24. The reigning conference champs have returned several players from last year’s roster while also adding a few talented freshmen. That has the Blue Devils off to a 10-3 start, a record that may seem disappointing to some, especially considering Duke’s loss in its ACC opener to Georgia Tech. However, the Blue Devils have also picked up nice wins over Michigan State and Baylor, and dominated Syracuse in their return to ACC play in the new year. With reigning ACC Newcomer of the Year Kyle Filipowski, other returning stars like Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell and Tyrese Proctor, and talented freshmen Jared McCain and Caleb Foster, Duke has as good of a chance as anyone to win the ACC again.