Hubert Davis wants North Carolina to play inside-out using Armando Bacot

North Carolina had to go back to the drawing board this week. After losing four straight games, the Tar Heels needed these last few days to reevaluate their performance as something was just not working. They were able to end their losing streak with a 75-59 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday and, after the game, Hubert Davis pinpointed exactly why.

Davis praised UNC’s post players and says he’s requiring them to be more involved after beating the Yellow Jackets. He said it has to be the way they play because of their talent down low as well as how it opens up the rest of the team’s offense.

“We have to be inside out. Plain and simple, period, the end. We can’t be outside in,” said Davis. “We have Armando (Bacot), we have Pete (Nance), and we’ve got to use them. We’ve got to throw the ball down on the block and let them use their gifts and talents. Not only to score but to open up shots for our guards out on the perimeter. And also to get us into the penalty because we’re a really good free throw shooting team.”

Bacot is as reliable a big as any in the college game. He’s currently at a second straight year of averaging a double-double with 16.7 points and 11.3 rebounds as a senior. Pair him with the Northwestern transfer Nance (12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds) and North Carolina has one of the best frontcourt duos in the nation as both are shooting over 50% from the field.

Davis said it was an emphasis this week in practice to add this layer into their game plan. Considering how it worked for UNC this weekend, it’s something they’ll continue to build on as the season moves forward.

“I also thought, because Armando was posting up so hard and he didn’t get the ball, that he occupied a defender. And so Caleb (Love) and RJ (Davis) were able to get to the basket and nobody was there. They were able to get there because of how hard Armando worked down low on the block,” said Davis. “We had time to practice. And so it’s nice to have that time this week to practice. And be able to implement it in a game and for it to look pretty good.”

Something needed to change for North Carolina and, with this development, it seems that something did. However, one game does not a trend make. If UNC wants to get back on track this season, seeing this new inside focus apply and succeed in their upcoming stretch against teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and the real start of ACC play will be vital.