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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels, Blue Devils battling for this 5-star prospect

By Blake Cockrum

DURHAM, NC - MARCH 03: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels before their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - MARCH 03: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels before their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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UNC, Duke in a familiar place with 5-star prospect

Duke and North Carolina are back at it again; this time, on the recruiting trail.

The two blue bloods and heated rivals are battling it out for a number of elite prospects, but maybe none more than five-star big man Armando Bacot.

Bacot is a 6-foot-10, 240-pound center out of Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia that has tremendous size, skill and athleticism. He’s a blue-collar worker in the paint and finishes well around the rim. He’s also a great rebounder and good passer for his position.

Roy Williams has put a real emphasis on Bacot over the past year, making the talented big man one of his main priorities in the class of 2019. Getting a commitment from Bacot would go a long way in helping the Tar Heels re-establish their big, dominant front court from years past.

Keeping Bacot away from the competition, though – particularly the Blue Devils – won’t be easy.

Some time back, Bacot announced a top-10 list that includes Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, UCLA, VCU, Villanova, Virginia and Virginia Tech. However, Bacot has stated that he is still open to considering other teams.

Related Story: Tar Heels' 2019 class could look a lot like this...

That’s been particularly evident in the case of Georgia, which Bacot mentioned as being one of the five programs recruiting him hardest. Along with the Bulldogs, Bacot named Duke, North Carolina, Oklahoma State and VCU as the teams that are most aggressively pursuing him. Many believe, though, that this is a two-horse race between Duke and North Carolina.

In a recent interview with Prep Circuit, Bacot outlined the way that Duke and North Carolina have recruited him to this point, and the factors most important to him in making a college decision.

"“The style of play,” Bacot said of his interest in North Carolina. “But also how invested they are in me as a player, and are making me a priority.”"

But it wasn’t just the Tar Heels that Bacot spoke highly of. He’s had time to develop a relationship with Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils, who are also hoping to snag one of the nation’s top front court players.

"“I like how they have been recruiting me too,” Bacot said of Duke. “I was the first big they offered and they have always stayed in touch and told me how much they want me.”"

It’s worth noting, though, that VCU has been recruiting Bacot fervently for a long time. The Rams are in his home town of Richmond, where he already has a huge following of fans hoping to see him stay home for college.

But geography won’t likely be the determining factor in Bacot’s recruitment. His comfort level with the school and coach will be a major factor, as will the amount of playing time available to him from day one.

Next: D.J. Carton trims list of schools to 3

Bacot is the No. 25 overall prospect in the class of 2019 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the seventh-ranked center in the class and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Virginia.

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