The ACC Is About to Look Completely Different | Here's Why

About this episode

The episode provides an early preview of the 2026–27 college basketball season focusing on major changes in the ACC.

The North Carolina Sports Network dives into a way-too-early preview of the 2026–27 college basketball season, with a spotlight on UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We break down UNC‘s blockbuster hire of NBA championship coach Michael Malone, the loss of forward Henri Veesaar to the NBA Draft, and the arrival of 7-foot FC Barcelona center Sayon Keita.We also examine key perimeter questions in Chapel Hill involving guards Neoklis Avdalas and Terrence Brown, as well as what it will take for the Tar Heels to contend nationally under their new head coach.NC State begins a portal-heavy rebuild under alum head coach Justin Gainey, highlighted by multiple mid-major all-conference transfers and a pivotal decision still looming from elite shooter Paul McNeil Jr.At Duke, the Blue Devils are projected near the top of the national rankings with multiple returning starters, Wisconsin star transfer John Blackwell, and an elite incoming freshman class that could push them toward another Final Four run.Wake Forest faces major roster turnover and portal uncertainty, projecting to finish in the bottom third of the ACC unless key pieces emerge from its incoming class and transfer additions.We…

People in this episode

Host: @TheNCSportsNet

Topics covered

• college basketball
• ACC changes
• team previews
• NCAA Tournament expansion
• roster changes
• coaching changes

Keywords

• ACC
• college basketball
• UNC
• Duke
• NC State
• Wake Forest
• NCAA changes
• Michael Malone
• transfers
• recruiting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UNC, Duke, NC State, Wake Forest, NCAA, Big 12

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