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UNC Basketball: Roy Williams hopes to see a big step forward from this player next season

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 15: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels plays during a game against the Wofford Terriers on December 15, 2019 at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 68-67. North Carolina played their first regular season game in Carmichael Arena since 1986. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 15: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels plays during a game against the Wofford Terriers on December 15, 2019 at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 68-67. North Carolina played their first regular season game in Carmichael Arena since 1986. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball head coach Roy Williams spoke to the media on Tuesday and noted one player he thought could take a big step forward

For the first time since the season ended in a loss to Syracuse in the Atlantic Coast Conference a few weeks back, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams met the media. Well, sort of.

Williams held a conference call with the media on Tuesday afternoon (sporting an awesome beard) to talk about the previous few weeks and what has all happened. With this COVID-19 pandemic putting a quick halt to the college basketball season, Williams hasn’t been able to do much including public interviews.

Related Story. 2019-20 UNC Player Review: Armando Bacot. light

The head coach went over a variety of topics including the disappointing 2019-20 season, how he’s handled quarantine and what he expects from his team for next year. One thing caught our eye, however.

Williams talked about forward Armando Bacot’s freshman season and what he needs to improve on going into next season. The head coach noted that Bacot will be a key for the Tar Heels to be successful next season and hopes he can take that big step forward:

Bacot already announced he will not test the NBA Draft waters and instead return for his sophomore season at North Carolina.

With the return of Bacot and the additions of post players Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler, both five-star recruits, UNC will have a loaded frontcourt. Right now all signs point to Bacot and senior Garrison Brooks starting but UNC will be deep enough to allocate minutes to the incoming freshmen as well.

Bacot averaged 9.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a freshman while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor. His defensive game was a plus as he was a force in the paint but Bacot needs to get better offensively. He flashed some signs of having a solid offensive game:

https://twitter.com/theACCDN/status/1247242774912647168

But there were times he struggled too.

Williams noted that Bacot needs to be better finishing at the rim, which is true. There were times this season where Bacot just couldn’t finish those layups or put-backs as well as utilizing some post moves.

The good news is that Bacot seems like a kid that works hard and will put the time in. If he does and takes that next step, UNC should be a lot better next season.

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