Duke Tops Conference Predictions as ND’s Hidalgo Claims Preseason Player of the Year Title
In the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Women’s Basketball preseason rankings, Duke emerges as the top contender, with remarkable achievements highlighting their potential.
Duke Leads Conference Predictions
Duke, following a strong performance in the Elite Eight, secures the top spot in the ACC Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish. The Blue Devils amassed 40 first-place votes, totaling 1,525 points from 70 voters, including head coaches and the Blue Ribbon Panel.
Key Players and Teams
This year, Duke’s lineup features standout players Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson, both on the Preseason All-ACC Team. Notably, Fournier, last season’s ACC Rookie of the Year, is pivotal to Duke’s strategy.
Following Duke in the preseason poll is NC State, with 25 first-place votes and 1,487 points. Key players like Zoe Brooks and newcomer Khamil Pierre boost NC State’s prospects.
- North Carolina at third, garnered one first-place vote and 1,374 points.
- Louisville ranks fourth with two first-place votes and 1,276 points.
- Notre Dame completes the top five with two first-place votes and 1,255 points.
Preseason Honors and Rising Stars
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo claims the Preseason Player of the Year title. The junior guard, last season’s ACC Player of the Year, is known for her scoring prowess and defensive excellence.
| Player | Team | Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Hannah Hidalgo | Notre Dame | 23.8 PPG, 3.7 SPG |
| Toby Fournier | Duke | ACC Rookie of the Year |
| Zoe Brooks | NC State | Preseason All-ACC Team |
Upcoming Season and New Initiatives
The Preseason All-Freshman Team is a new initiative, spotlighting emerging talents like Duke’s Emilee Skinner and Stanford’s Hailee Swain and Lara Somfai.
This new season kicks off on November 3, with nine teams, including California and Duke, participating in international matchups in Paris, France.
The ACC continues to demonstrate its competitive edge, consistently sending eight teams to the NCAA Tournament over seven consecutive seasons and maintaining a streak of Elite Eight appearances.
