Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: 5 reasons to be excited about Tar Heels in 2021

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: "Ramses", mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels, makes an entrance before a game against the Duke Blue Devils on February 08, 2018 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 82-78. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: "Ramses", mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels, makes an entrance before a game against the Duke Blue Devils on February 08, 2018 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 82-78. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels passes up the floor against the Northeastern Huskies during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 17, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 82-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Armando Bacot’s highly anticipated junior season

Armando Bacot had a solid sophomore season at North Carolina that saw him lead the team in points (12.3), rebounds (7.8) and shooting percentage (62.8). Shortly after the season ended, Bacot decided to test the NBA waters, putting into question whether or not he would ever suit up for the Tar Heels again.

But after preliminarily engaging in the draft process, and discussing his future with NBA scouts and general managers, it was a return to North Carolina that Bacot felt was best for his career — a decision that I wholeheartedly agree with. He now has the opportunity to build on the successes of his sophomore season, while working out some of weaknesses in his repertoire. And it should be much easier to do with the cast of players he’ll have surrounding him this year.

With a number of capable outside shooters, and fewer traditional bigs to clog the lane, Bacot should be able to work more freely around the rim. The Tar Heels will be able to spread the floor, and defenses will have to respect their ability to knock down shots from long-range. This will all make double-teaming Bacot in the paint much more difficult to execute without leaving shooters open on the perimeter.

He is already a consensus first team All-ACC selection, and a dark horse candidate for conference Player of the Year. Don’t be surprised if he puts together a masterful season on his way to the 2022 NBA Draft.

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