North Carolina forward Armando Bacot was among the heroes for the Tar Heels in the dramatic Final Four win against rival Duke on Saturday. Bacot rose to the occasion with 11 points and 21 rebounds, as he set the record for the most double-doubles by an ACC player in a season with an astounding 30.
The North Carolina coaching staff sure was on its heels over the late stages of the encounter, as Bacot went down after rolling his ankle. He struggled to put any weight on his right foot, and he subsequently exited the contest. He later wound up returning to the game after checking in with team trainers.
Bacot noted after the win that he initially thought he would not return to the game. However, he willed himself back to the court after it hit him that he was playing in the “greatest college basketball game of all-time.”
On Sunday, Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis noted that Bacot will be limited in practice today as the junior’s ankle is still “sore.” Nonetheless, Bacot will feature in the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Game against the Kansas Jayhawks.
“X-Rays are negative,” Davis said. “He is sore. He has been walking around. He will be ready to play tomorrow night.”
From Bacot’s perspective, he is ready to play in what will arguably be the biggest basketball game of his life.
“My right leg would have to be cut off for me not to play,” Bacot said.
The stage is set for North Carolina and Kansas on Monday night. Davis aims to cap off his first season as Tar Heels head coach with a national championship, while Kansas head coach Bill Self is looking to claim his first such title in 14 years.
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