National Championship: North Carolina gets great injury update on Armando Bacot

Just a day after suffering what looked to be a tough ankle injury, UNC Tar Heels star Armando Bacot said he’s going to play in the National Championship.

Bacot rolled his ankle late in the second half against Duke, but he wasn’t about to let that keep him from finishing out the best Final Four game in recent memory.

Nor is he about to let it keep him from playing in the National Championship, a feat that for most players is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“My right foot would have to be cut off for me not to play tomorrow,” Bacot said.

Well there you have it. Hubert Davis also added a little more context.

“They did X-rays. All negative. Obviously, it’s sore. … he’s ready to play tomorrow night,” Davis said.

UNC Tar Heels: Armando Bacot all set for the National Championship

Bacot is one of the best players in the country. Though he surprisingly did not win the ACC Player of the Year, losing out to Wake Forest’s Alondes Williams, he was All-ACC first team and average 16.3 points with 13.1 rebounds for the regular season. Against Duke, the UNC Tar Heels star was somehow even better, scoring 11 points paired with an astounding 21 rebounds.

“My status right now is that I’m playing. There’s no way I’m not playing in the national championship game,” Bacot continued, referring to his injured ankle.

So, while he might not be 100 percent, Bacot is ready to contribute on the boards. He’s a valuable rebounding force for the Heels, who routinely clear out on the defensive end when their big man is in good position to grab a board. Bacot’s outlet passes are some of the best in college basketball, therefore helping UNC set the fast-break pace they desire.

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