In a poll of the ACC’s 14 head baseball coaches, UNC was chosen as the favorite to win the league’s Coastal Division in 2017.

Results released on Wednesday had the Tar Heels finishing second in voting behind Florida State in the overall conference standings.

Voting for the league champion saw the Seminoles receive 10 first place votes.

UNC received one vote to finish as the league champion–placing head coach Mike Fox’s squad in a tie with Louisville, NC State and Clemson in that regard.

The ACC placed a record 10 teams into last year’s NCAA Tournament, however the Tar Heels failed to make the big dance for a second straight year–despite being ranked No. 19 in the RPI ratings entering the selection process.

As a result, UNC became the highest rated team to miss out on the season’s biggest event.

With one of the nation’s deepest pitching staffs entering 2017–and a lineup filled with speedy contact hitters–the Tar Heels certainly possess many of the pieces needed to make a return to the tournament.

Right-hander JB Bukauskas gives the team a legitimate first-round MLB prospect on the mound each week, while shortstop Logan Warmoth and outfielder Brian Miller should provide the batting order with a pair of cornerstones.

Opposing coaches appear to have strong beliefs in the talent UNC has returning–placing the Tar Heels ahead of recent College World Series participants like Virginia and Miami.

UNC will aim to prove it belongs in the discussion when its season opens on Friday, Feb. 17 at home against Kentucky.

For the full preseason poll results, click here.

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