Just a day after UNC starting pitcher JB Bukauskas was named a Preseason Second Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball–a widely respected newspaper covering the game–the Tar Heels received more great news on Tuesday when they found themselves at No. 15 in the first preseason poll for 2017.

UNC has missed out on the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons. It’s the first time the Tar Heels have ever found themselves in this position since head coach Mike Fox took over just before the turn of the century.

Having earned the distinction of the highest ranked team in the RPI rankings (19th) to miss out on postseason play last season, UNC should enter the new year motivated to put a stop to that skid.

Led by Bukauskas and junior shortstop Logan Warmoth, this particular Tar Heel team should be yet another squad filled with great pitching and contact hitters.

Although the lineup will be missing a big power threat with the departure of center fielder Tyler Ramirez, UNC has typically relied on stringing timely hits together to manufacture offense under Fox’s watch.

That task becomes much tougher in the cutthroat ACC, however, where six teams in total were ranked among the top 16.

Miami (No. 8), Florida State (No. 9), Louisville (No. 11), Clemson (No. 12) and Virginia (No. 16) joined the Tar Heels as part of the mix.

Additionally, No. 31 NC State and No. 38 Georgia Tech give the league eight teams recognized by the newspaper–more than any other conference.

UNC may have itself a squad talented enough to return to the postseason, but it certainly will not be easy trying to get through the ACC gauntlet on the way.

The Tar Heels open their season on Friday, Feb. 18 against Kentucky.

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