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ACC women’s basketball fans can finally plan their winter activities after the conference — including Duke, N.C. State and North Carolina — released a complete schedule last week.
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All three Triangle programs have at least four nonconference games against Power Four opponents.
In August, Duke coach Kara Lawson alluded to a tougher-than-average schedule.
“The freshmen and sophomores that play the guard position for us are really talented. They’re going to get experience,” Lawson said. “I mean, whenever our schedule comes out, you’ll see that it’s harder than last year. Believe that?”
“Is that possible?” a reporter asked.
“It’s possible,” Lawson said. “Always possible.”
She was right.
Duke has five non-conference games against expected Top 25 opponents, four of which will take place at neutral sites. Connecticut, Texas, UCLA and South Carolina reached the 2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four, with UCLA winning the national championship over the Gamecocks. The Blue Devils also play Southern California. The Trojans reached the Round of 32 before losing to South Carolina. JuJu Watkins is expected to play for Southern Cal this season after missing last year with an injury.
North Carolina plays Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama and LSU. Oklahoma and LSU both reached the Sweet 16, but Duke beat the Tigers and Oklahoma fell to the Gamecocks. Alabama and Texas Tech reached the Round of 32.
Finally, N.C. State has four Power Four opponents on the non-conference schedule. It faces Kentucky, LSU, Kansas State and Ole Miss. Kentucky was a Sweet 16 team, while the Rebels ended their season in the Round of 32. Kansas State missed the field in 2026 but made back-to-back tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025.
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When it comes to ACC play, the Wolfpack and Tar Heels open the conference slate with a rivalry game. They are set to play in Chapel Hill on Dec. 13. This is the only meeting between N.C. State and UNC due to the league’s scheduling model.
UNC head coach Courtney Banghart said the Heels have struggled during the games following its final exam break and students aren’t on campus.
“But, we get what we get, and we don’t get upset. It’s like my parenting vibe coming out,” Banghart said last week. “What’s great is it’s always a well-attended game. It’s always a game that brings a lot of attention. It’s always against two really good teams. It’ll be unique, and then it’s a lot earlier (than usual) for both teams. … I’d love to play them as away, too. I’d love to just keep this rivalry going.”
N.C. State plays Duke once on Jan 3 in Raleigh. It faces Wake Forest at home (Jan.24) and on the road (Feb. 25).
Duke and UNC play at Carmichael Arena on Jan. 31, and at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Feb. 28.
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This story was originally published September 7, 2026 at 2:17 PM.