Armando Bacot shares what North Carolina must do to regroup after Duke loss

On Saturday, the North Carolina Tar Heels came up just short against their bitter rival Duke Blue Devils. Tar Heels star big man Armando Bacot did all he could to keep his team in the game, but they would eventually come up short, losing on the road 63-57. After the game, Bacot shared what he and his North Carolina teammates must do to regroup following the loss to Duke.

“We’re in a true groove. In both games, we lost; it just went down to them making more plays than us at the end. It’s upsetting that we lost, but it is encouraging, too, because it is something we can learn from. We just gotta get better at it. We ain’t got no choice now. It’s either we’re sad about it and cry and give up on the season or keep playing,” said Bacot.

Bacot was one of two North Carolina players to record a double-double and Saturday’s matchup against Duke. Guard Leaky Black also had one with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Bacot finished the game with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.

Up next for North Carolina will be another ACC contest against another state rival, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday from the Demon Deacons home of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The game can be seen on ESPN or using the ESPN app.

Jay Bilas examines North Carolina at Duke, Tar Heels’ ceiling

Jay Bilas is a believer in North Carolina, even if their season has been a roller coaster thus far. Joining SportsCenter on Saturday morning, the ESPN analyst evaluated the Tar Heels and their ceiling.

“I still think that North Carolina has the highest ceiling of any team in the ACC,” started Bilas. “They’re starting to defend at a higher level. Their last seven games, they’ve held their opponents under 70 in each of those games. I think the issue is when they continue to play inside-out. When they get the ball in to Armando Bacot, their offense runs better. He doesn’t shoot it every time he gets it. He kicks it back out. When they play that inside-out, and when they attack the paint. I mean, Carolina shoots and makes 18 free throws a game. You have to play really physical defense against them, protect the paint and do it without fouling, because you put them at the free throw line, I mean, RJ Davis is leading the ACC in free throw accuracy. They make their free throws when they get there.

“When’s all said and done in this game, this game is going to be decided on the backboard. The game starts when a shot goes up, and it’s going to have to be physical rebounding. Duke’s a great offensive rebounding team. Armando Bacot’s one of the best rebounders in the country and Carolina’s all time leading rebounder. This game is going to be about rebounding. Pat Riley said once, ‘No rebounds, no rings.’ In this game, no rebounds, no win.”