Duke women’s basketball just locked in the No. 4 spot in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll to kick off their 2026-27 season, and if you think that’s good, you haven’t seen the roster they’re rolling with. This isn’t just about a top-five ranking; it’s about a squad that’s loaded for bear, ready to make some serious noise from day one.
Stacked Roster and Unfinished Business
Coach Kara Lawson is heading into her seventh season with the Blue Devils, and her program is clearly hitting its stride. They’re returning three starters and a total of nine players from last year’s team, a group spearheaded by serious talent like Toby Fournier and Delaney Thomas. This isn’t a rebuilding year, folks, this is a team that’s been in consecutive Elite 8 appearances. They swept the ACC regular season and tournament titles last year, so they know how to get it done. That kind of experience, especially with a coach who’s been building this for years, is priceless. They’ve got the chemistry, they’ve got the talent, and they’ve got that hunger after those deep tournament runs.
New Faces, Same Championship Aspirations
But wait, there’s more. Duke didn’t just stand pat with their returning stars. They went out and pulled in Texas transfer Aaliyah Crump, who is going to be a huge boost. On top of that, they brought in the nation’s fourth-ranked freshman class. Think about that: a veteran core, proven winners, and an infusion of top-tier young talent that’s going to push everyone. It’s no wonder they were picked to repeat as the ACC champion in the league’s preseason poll. The coaches know what’s up; this team is built for another banner year.
The journey for the Blue Devils officially tips off on Tuesday, Nov. 3. They’ll open their 2026-27 season against Green Bay right there at Cameron Indoor Stadium. You better believe that first game is going to be electric, setting the tone for what could be a truly special season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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