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Armando Bacot discusses weight off his shoulder with double-double, rebounding records

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra01/22/23

SamraSource

Armando Bacot
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Armando Bacot is now alone at the top. The No. 1 rebounder in North Carolina history, the No. 1 double-double machine.

It took a monster performance — a performance where Bacot amassed 23 points and 18 rebounds against NC State Wolfpack — but he’s now the record holder of two prestigious marks. He passed North Carolina legends Billy Cunningham and Tyler Hansbrough — the former for double-doubles, and the latter for rebounds.

Afterwards, the Tar Heels star spoke about the weight off his shoulder moving forward due to the history he’s made.

“I would say probably just the weight was off of my shoulder,” stated Bacot. “I mean, all game I was just trying to go out there. I thought early on, I got a good start. Getting a good amount of rebounds. Then I picked up that second foul. I was like, not trying to get in foul trouble. But trying to stay in the game too. Be aggressive.

“Then I got lucky. They missed a couple shots. Then I got the last rebound. … Like I said, I was just trying to get that weight off my shoulder. I’m just happy.”

Continuing, it all started to sink in for the North Carolina star afterwards, but the coolest moment of the entire ordeal might’ve been a moment he shared with the aforementioned Hansbrough.

“I think now it’s really just sinking in,” added Bacot. “Just being able to greet Tyler Hansbrough after that. It meant the world to me. Growing up, seeing how great of a player he was. Not just at UNC, but also just in college in general. He’s one of the greatest players of all time.

“To be able to pass him just means the world to me.”

Alas, another thing that means more than anything to Bacot is the fact that he was able to accomplish so much while the Tar Heels captured a victory over the Wolfpack. With the win, North Carolina moved to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in the ACC for the 2022-2023 campaign.

Armando Bacot continues to cement himself as one of the greatest North Carolina players to ever grace Chapel Hill. A title is on his mind now, and time will tell if he can get his team there.