Jan. 10, 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
College football season is almost over, while college basketball season is in full swing. In approximately one month, college baseball season<\/a> will be here.<\/p>\n That’s right \u2013 college baseball begins in February. Your North Carolina Tar Heels open their 2026 campaign<\/a> on Friday, February 13, welcoming the Indiana Hoosiers for a 3-game weekend series.<\/p>\n As UNC enters its final month without gameplay, we take a look at numbers that every college team chases. In PerfectGame’s first 2026 preseason rankings<\/a>, North Carolina slots in at 18th.<\/p>\n The Diamond Heels find themselves one spot behind Coastal Carolina, which lost to LSU<\/a> in the 2025 College World Series Final and one spot ahead of Vanderbilt, which endured an embarrassing, NCAA Regional exit as the tournament’s top overall seed.<\/p>\n ACC schools represent the Top 25 well, with Georgia Tech (second), Florida State<\/a> (ninth), Virginia (14th), Louisville (16th), Clemson<\/a> (20th), NC State (22nd) and Miami (24th) all in the poll.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n UNC is fresh off another magical season, in which it won the ACC Tournament<\/a> and hosted a Super Regional. North Carolina dominated Arizona in Game One, then offense faltered and a key, Game Three error ended any hopes of a second-straight trip to Omaha.<\/p>\n The Diamond Heels return a few offensive stars, most notably third baseman Gavin Gallaher<\/a>, but pitching will win them games this season. Starting pitchers Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch return to give UNC a top staff in the country, while relievers Walker McDuffie and Matthew Matthijs star hold down the bullpen.<\/p>\n Follow us\u00a0@TarHeelsWire<\/a>\u00a0on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina\u00a0Tar Heels<\/a>\u00a0news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n