Editor’s Note: This story is the fourth story of our five-part series highlighting an anonymous poll with ACC basketball players at ACC Tipoff in Charlotte ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Network broke down the best players, underrated players, top coaches, arenas and NCAA Tournament expansion.

Conference realignment has shifted the landscape of college basketball , but some things never change.

The ACC was formed with eight universities in 1953. Now, in 2025, there are 18 teams competing for an ACC basketball championship. But even in a coast-to-coast conference, the ACC's players still credit four original members of the league for what their arenas provide as a road environment.

During interviews with The Fayetteville Observer and USA TODAY Network, A

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