Duke Favored to Claim Fifth ACC Tournament Title in 14 Years

Wolfpack, Cavaliers, and Cardinals among top contenders in competitive conference tournament

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The 2026 ACC Tournament is set to tip off with several teams vying for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. While Duke is the heavy favorite, led by stars Cam Boozer and Maliq Brown, other contenders like Virginia, Louisville, and North Carolina State will look to pull off upsets and earn an automatic bid. The tournament features a mix of powerhouses and bubble teams desperate to extend their seasons.

Why it matters

The ACC is still one of the most high-profile conferences in college basketball, and this year's tournament promises to be one of the most intriguing and consequential in recent memory. With several teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble, the stakes are high as they look to punch their ticket to the Big Dance through conference tournament success.

The details

Duke enters as the heavy favorite at -350 odds, led by a talented roster that has lost just once since the new year. However, the Blue Devils will be without injured starters Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba. Virginia, led by Belgian standout Thijs De Ridder, is the top contender at +600, while Louisville (+900) could make noise if star freshman Mikel Brown is healthy. North Carolina State (+3000) is a bubble team to watch, but the Wolfpack have struggled mightily down the stretch.

  • The ACC Tournament tips off on Tuesday, March 11, 2026 at The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Cam Boozer

A key player for the Duke Blue Devils, who are the heavy favorites to win the ACC Tournament.

Maliq Brown

Another standout for the Duke Blue Devils, who will need to step up with injured starters Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba sidelined.

Thijs De Ridder

The go-to guy for the Virginia Cavaliers, who are the top contender to challenge Duke at +600 odds.

Mikel Brown

The star freshman for the Louisville Cardinals, who could give the team a major boost if he is healthy and able to play in the tournament.

Quadir Copeland

One of the talented individual players for the bubble-dwelling North Carolina State Wolfpack.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.