UNC Basketball: UNC owns N.C. State again, led by Bacot’s dominance

The UNC basketball program again went into PNC Arena and dominated the NC State Wolfpack, this time behind a dominant performance by junior big man Armando Bacot.

Two words. Armando Bacot.

In today’s game, Bacot solidified his place as a dominant force in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He was a one-man army against the NC State Wolfpack, as the Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 84-74 at PNC Arena.

Bacot dominated the Wolfpack with 28 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks. Towards the end of the game, it was reported that Bacot’s performance marked the first time a UNC player finished a game with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.

Throughout his college career, Bacot has continued to improve his skill set. This season, he is one of the frontrunners for the coveted ACC Player of the Year award. Today’s performance certainly gives him a boost in his battle against Duke’s Paolo Banchero.

Bacot’s stat line from today’s game marked his 22nd double-double for the 2021-22 season. 22 double-doubles in 29 games is very impressive. The proof is in the pudding. Bacot’s work in the weight room and in practice has paid off and it shows a great deal. If Bacot has two more double-doubles this season, he will break the record for most double-doubles in a season by a UNC player, held by Brice Johnson (23 in 2015-16).

The Tar Heels’ defense staggered NC State a great deal. North Carolina’s biggest lead was 19. UNC led at halftime 46-29. The Wolfpack made 37.9 percent of their field goals. Nearly half of their field goals were three-pointers. State hit 33.3 percent of their trifectas. As a whole, the Tar Heels shot 51.3 percent from the floor, 26.3 percent from the three-point range and 91.3 percent from the charity stripe.

North Carolina lost senior forward Leaky Black halfway through the game with a hyperextended right knee. Black sustained the injury with no contact after coming down from a shot. Black did not come back in the game.

After the Tar Heels lost Black with four-plus minutes remaining before halftime, Puff Johnson stepped in and wrecked shop. Johnson defended tenaciously, hit big shots and rebounded the ball well. This was, by far, Johnson’s best game at a Tar Heel, and it’s no surprise that it came in the game he got his most minutes on the court.

Johnson finished the game with 16 points and five rebounds off the bench. A performance like this may lead to more trust from UNC head coach Hubert Davis. His ability to hit jump shots, play with energy and affect the opposition with his defensive prowess could be big down the stretch.

Brady Manek played a great game, as the Robin to Bacot’s Batman. Manek had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Caleb Love scored a quiet 16 points while adding six rebounds.

With the exception of Black’s injury, everything went Carolina’s way in today’s game. North Carolina has two more games this season against Syracuse and Duke prior to the ACC Tournament.

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