ESPN analyst calls UNC the best team in college baseball

[ASFN Admin]

Get your popcorn ready and start making weekend plans. On Saturday night, the UNC baseball team makes its first College World Series Finals appearance in 19 seasons, with first pitch set for 8 p.m. ET against the red-hot Oklahoma Sooners.

North Carolina (53-12-1) and Oklahoma (41-22) will continue with a Game 2 on Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day) at 2:30 p.m. If a Game 3 is needed, that will be played Monday night at 7 p.m.

The Diamond Heels swept their way through their own Regional, then needed a late-game comeback to down USC in Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional. UNC is off to a 3-0 start in Omaha, but its next opponent is winners of eight straight.

Which of the last two remaining teams in college baseball is better? If you ask ACC Network's Danny Graves, a 2-time All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds, North Carolina holds that title.

“You already know what I feel about this," Graves said after the Diamond Heels' 12-7 win over West Virginia. "I’m very, homer ACC conference. I got nothing to say about that other conference, expect good luck. And that’s what they’re probably saying to us, good luck. I do honestly believe that North Carolina is the best team in college baseball. They have the best starting rotation. They have the best bullpen. They have the best freshman. They have the best defense. They have the best head coach. He’s got the best shoes. What else to you want me to say?”

"I do honestly believe that North Carolina is the best team in college baseball."@dgravy32 states the case as to why North Carolina can win the national championship pic.twitter.com/4wymQEI6Do

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) June 18, 2026

Caden Glauber is the freshman in question. Gavin Gallaher is the Diamond Heels' best defensive infielder, while Carter French is UNC's defensive ace in the outfield. Jason DeCaro anchors North Carolina's rotation, while Scott Forbes is the best coach in college baseball.

You know that old saying, third time's a charm? The Diamond Heels will tap heavily into that this weekend, as they try to capture their first CWS Championship in program history.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Baseball: ESPN analyst has high praise for Diamond Heels

Continue reading...