Keeping It Heel
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North Carolina Basketball: 10 players the rivals loved to hate the most

By Joey Loose

Jan 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Former North Carolina Tar Heels great Tyler Hansbrough presents forward Armando Bacot (5) with the game ball after the game. Bacot became the all-time Tar Heels rebounding leader during the game breaking Hansbrough’s record. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Former North Carolina Tar Heels great Tyler Hansbrough presents forward Armando Bacot (5) with the game ball after the game. Bacot became the all-time Tar Heels rebounding leader during the game breaking Hansbrough’s record. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) and forward Pete Nance (32) react during the second half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Armando Bacot

A 5-star recruit from Richmond that continues to torment college programs, Armondo Bacot has developed into a major weapon since arriving on campus four years ago. He’s already started more than 130 games at North Carolina and will return for a 5th season next year, meaning the book on Bacot hasn’t fully been written yet, though his presence has no doubt frustrated his rivals.

He’s been an important weapon and offensive piece in North Carolina’s frontcourt under both Roy Williams and Hubert Davis. He’s really come out against the Blue Devils, with a 23-point performance against them in late 2022, outdone by his 21-rebound effort in North Carolina’s Final Four win against them. It was the ultimate performance for this program and Bacot was a major reason why the Tar Heels got to the national title game.

Though Bacot had a pair of double-doubles, North Carolina lost both games to Duke this past season, though that doesn’t mean they suddenly like this 6’11 center. Bacot still has at least two more chances to make his mark against the Tar Heels, but his role in that Final Four win is the reason he’s on this list. He’s the only current North Carolina player listed today, but every rivalry game has to have a villain and he fits the mold right now.

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