UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot can’t be stopped!!!

Another career game for junior Armando Bacot helped lead the UNC basketball program to a huge ACC victory over Virginia.

It’s been a while since the UNC basketball program has defeated ACC rival Virginia. In fact, coming into Saturday’s contest, the Tar Heels lost seven straight against Tony Bennett’s squad, as they last defeated the Cavaliers back in 2017.

Fortunately, the losing streak is now over, thanks to a career afternoon from junior Armando Bacot.

On Wednesday night, Bacot posted a career-high 17 rebounds. Even though Bacot was outstanding in that game, the Tar Heels came up on the losing end of the contest.

Fast forward a few days later, not only did Bacot re-write his own record books, but he helped lead his team to a much needed win over an ACC rival who has had the Tar Heels number for the last few seasons.

Against the Cavaliers, Bacot recorded new career-highs in points (29) and rebounds (22). This game marks the first 20-20 performance of the junior’s collegiate career.

There’s a lot of history to break down from Bacot’s performance.

For starters, Bacot now has six consecutive double-doubles to his name. He became just the ninth player in program history to put together such a streak.

Not only did Bacot dominate on the defensive glass, he also put in work on the offensive side as well. The Richmond, Virginia native hauled in 9 offensive rebounds, the most since Kennedy Meeks recorded 10 against Clemson back in 2017.

Bacot’s 21 total rebounds tied for third most ever by a Tar Heel against the Cavaliers, and marks the most since Billy Cunningham recorded 23 back in February of 1963.

Additionally, Bacot has now accomplished something that only one of his current coaches ever did in Chapel Hill. Bacot now joins former UNC basketball great Sean May as the only two Tar Heels to ever record 20 rebound games at the Dean Smith Center.

Regarding his 20-20 performance, Bacot became the first Tar Heel to record one since Brice Johnson accomplished the feat back in 2016.

Simply put, Armando Bacot made a lot of UNC basketball history in this game. Although his historic performance will draw a ton of attention, we’re sure that he’s simply happy that the Tar Heels came out victorious in this contest.

Armando Bacot simply was dominant, as he yet again earns our “Tar Heel of the Game” award for the second consecutive game. If you’re in the Chapel Hill area, we think you should go grab a “Mondo Burger” to celebrate!

Will Bacot continue his rein of “Tar Heel of the Game” honors, or will another UNC basketball player take home the award next Saturday night against Georgia Tech?! You’ll have to check back with the Keeping It Heel team to find out!

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for all the latest news and updates regarding Armando Bacot and the rest of the UNC basketball program.