Feb. 20, 2009

North Carolina is Coaches' Choice for National Title

North Carolina is the favorite to win the 2009 national championship, in voting by Division I head coaches.

There were 142 responses of the 302 NCAA Division I schools. The Tar Heels, under head coach Mike Fox (pictured right) received 53 votes as national champ and 133 votes to reach Omaha.

LSU was second with 32 votes for the title and 124 to reach the College World Series.

Others projected to reach Omaha include Cal State Fullerton (5, 90), Rice (7, 85), Texas (7, 85), Arizona State (8, 79), Texas A&M (10, 67) and Miami (3, 50). Numbers in parentheses represent national championship votes and votes to reach Omaha.

Just missing the top eight were Stanford (2, 48), Georgia (2, 45) and Florida State (2, 43).

The coaches feel there will not be a repeat winner in Omaha. Defending national champion Fresno State received eight votes to reach the College World Series and no votes to win it all again.

There were votes for 49 different schools to reach the College World Series and 21 different teams to win the title.

Thanks to all the coaches who participated in our survey.

(photo courtesy of UNC Media Relations Office)