Armando Bacot Proves To Be X-Factor For Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A quality post player is the hallmark of any great basketball team. For instance, would the Lakers have had such an incredible dynasty without Shaq?  This truth is as true today as it was during that time.  A good post player will open the floor for everyone else on the team.  Good post players will be able to stop opposing players from scoring in the lane.  One of the biggest advantages is pulling down rebounds to eliminate second shot opportunities and create fastbreak opportunities for his team. High octane teams like the North Carolina Tar Heels. benefit from having a player of this caliber. Luckily for the Tar Heels, they have sophomore forward Armando Bacot.

The UNC squad has become famous for having a high-energy and explosive brand of basketball further emphasizing the importance of a powerful post player.  The Richmond, Virginia-native Bacot has had a “big influence” on the level of play the Tar Heels have shown so far this year.  In the UNC victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, Bacot pulled down 11 rebounds to help push the tempo of the game in the favor of the UNC team.  By chipping in 14 points, he forced the defense to take notice and opened up opportunities for other players on the team to find themselves with opportunities.

During that same Kentucky game, the guards that found themselves taking advantage of the post players were Freshmen Kewan Walton and Caleb Love that scored a combined 24 points in the Tar Heel victory.

In the UNC victory over North Carolina Central University, Bacot scored an added 16 points to help the Heels secure the victory while opening the floor for his teammates.  In the UNC early-season loss to Iowa, Bacot was held to 4 points inhibiting the Heels to score from the post and sealing their fate with a loss.  After the loss against Georgia Tech, Leaky Black said they need to “Get big men the ball” further emphasizing the importance of the Heels finding success on the floor. 

While Bacot’s impact on the floor for the UNC team has helped “open the door” for other players.  It is clear that he must impact the floor as a dominant big man for the Tar Heels to find themselves successful this year.

Look for Bacot and the Tar Heels to bounce back from their recent losing streak as UNC will head to Miami for their next game on Tuesday, January 5th.

(Photos courtesy of the University of North Carolina Athletics/Ethan Hymon)