Armando Bacot could have left Chapel Hill early to turn pro, but he decided to stay and play for one more season with the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2023-24 college basketball season. On Tuesday, Bacot played his final home game at Smith Center as a Tar Heel, helping North Carolina pull off a monster 84-51 win over ACC rivals Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
North Carolina Tar Heels Star Armando Bacot Sends Emotional Message After Win Against The Notre Dame Fighting Irish
When he left the floor for the last time at Smith Center, Bacot received a hearty standing ovation from North Carolina Tar Heels fans. After the game, an emotional Bacot sent out a heartfelt message that perfectly summed up his love for the school.
Via Brendan Marks of The Athletic:
“I’m just so thankful,” a teary-eyed Bacot said after the game. “I may not have been the best player that ever played here, may not have scored the most points — I did grab the most rebounds — may not have blocked the most shots, but in terms of players? Nobody has loved this school more than I have, and that’s something I can be proud of.”
Bacot scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds with an assist and a block in 25 minutes of action versus the Fighting Irish. Another senior, RJ Davis, led the Tar Heels with 22 points, four rebounds, and six assists in 31 minutes while shooting 9/15 from the field and 4/6 from deep.
“He’s been a great leader for us,” Davis said of Bacot (via ESPN). “He’s been dominant throughout his whole career here, breaking records left and right.”
Now, the attention of the Tar Heels shifts to the rematch against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham. It would make Bacot’s final season with North Carolina extra sweeter if the Tar Heels beat Duke again. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils at home early last February, 93-84.
