CHAPEL HILL – UNC’s NCAA tournament opener against Canisius at 6 p.m. Friday is fast approaching and expectations are high for Carolina heading into post-season play.
The No. 1 overall seed Tar Heels are 1-0 all-time against the Golden Griffins, with the only meeting a 10-5 Carolina win during the 1958 season.
WCHL’s Ron Stutts spoke with Head Coach Mike Fox Thursday to get his take on the upcoming tournament.
“We have to be careful not to over-think things or do things too differently,” Fox said.
Hear the full interview:
Mike Fox with Ron Stutts Part 1
Mike Fox with Ron Stutts Part 2
The Heels are the ACC regular season and tournament champions, sitting at a record of 52-8. No. 4 seed Canisius was the Metro Atlantic Athletic champions and are the 41-14 on the year.
Fox says the home-field advantage will make a difference this weekend.
“A high percentage of teams that play at home—that do host a regional or a super regional—those are the teams that advance,” Fox said. “It’s not a surprise. It’s familiarity—having a home crowd, and not having to travel and stay in hotels.”
The tournament opener will take place at 1 p.m. with No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic (39-20) – the Sun Belt champions— meeting No. 3 seed Towson (29-28), champions of the Colonial Athletic Conference.
UNC is 3-0 against Florida Atlantic after a series-opening sweep in Boca Raton during the 2008 season.
Carolina owns a 25-2 all-time advantage over Towson since the series began in 1969. The Heels have won 12 straight against the Tigers with the last meeting coming in 2007.
The Chapel Hill Regional champion will advance to face the winner of the Columbia Regional in the Super Regional round for the right to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
And as always, you can catch the Diamond Heels in tournament action, live on 97.9 FM or streaming live on Chapelboro.
2013 NCAA Chapel Hill Regional Schedule
Friday, May 31
Game 1: #2 Florida Atlantic (39-20) vs. #3 Towson (29-28), 1 p.m.
Game 2: #1 North Carolina (52-8) vs. #4 Canisius (41-15), 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 1
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 2
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 1 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 3
Game 7: 6 p.m. – If necessary
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