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UNC Basketball: 247Sports says Bacot, Banchero battling for ACC POTY

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives against Mark Williams #15 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 05, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 87-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives against Mark Williams #15 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 05, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 87-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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According to 247Sports, UNC basketball’s Armando Bacot is battling a rival Duke player for this year’s ACC Player of the Year Award.

The good ol’ Duke and North Carolina rivalry never takes a break.

As we approach the final week of the regular season, analysts are starting to break down their top candidates for some of the biggest individual honors in college basketball. One of these awards is ACC Player of the Year, which may ultimately come down to a two-man race between a member of the UNC basketball program as well as a rival Duke Blue Devil.

Matt Howe of 247Sports took some time to break down his top Player of the Year candidates for each Power 5 conference. For the Atlantic Coast Conference, Howe tabs Armando Bacot and Paolo Banchero as the top candidates for the award.

Banchero, who came in as the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2021, has lived up to the hype that surrounded him. The true freshman is averaging 16.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, as he’s led the seventh-ranked Blue Devils to the top of the ACC with a 23-4 overall record.

Bacot has been outstanding for the UNC basketball program this season, as he’s arguably been one of the best big men in the entire country. The Richmond, Virginia native has averaged a double-double, 15.9 points and 12.3 rebounds, as he’s provided a steady force for the Tar Heels in Hubert Davis’ first season at the helm.

Heading into Saturday’s contest against NC State, Bacot ranks first in the conference in total rebounding and offensive rebounding (3.7), is fifth in field goal percentage, sixth in blocks (1.58), and seventh in scoring. As he once again leads the Tar Heels in points, rebounds, field goal percentage, and blocks, Bacot would become the first player in program history to lead the team in those four statistical categories in back-to-back seasons.

Banchero may have the upper edge in this battle, given his success combined with what Duke has been able to accomplish. However, Bacot is more than deserving to be in this category, as his elite play is a major reason why the UNC basketball program has won 20-plus games during the 2021-22 season.

We’ll get at least one more chance to see these two players match up, as North Carolina will take the short trip to Durham on the final day of the regular season. A big performance from Bacot and a win from the Tar Heels could give the junior big man momentum in the battle for this award.

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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.

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