Hubert Davis addresses North Carolina's plan with Armando Bacot's injury

North Carolina had a dominant performance in the second round of the ACC Tournament, defeating Boston College resoundingly 85-61. They left the Greensboro Coliseum with a win, but not with a fully healthy Armando Bacot. The Tar Heels star center rolled his ankle in the first half of Wednesday’s game, and after the win head coach Hubert Davis was asked what the game plan was moving forward.

“I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it yet. I gotta get back to the hotel and have some dinner first and then I can think about it,” Davis said. “But Armando just now leaving the locker room said he felt really good and that he’s already probably back at the hotel getting treatment.”

Bacot was in and out of the Tar Heels rotation for the remainder of the ball game, used sparingly and only when necessary in North Carolina’s win-or-go-home matchup. He played just 18 minutes, the second-lowest of the season behind the one minute he played before injuring his ankle another time this season versus Virginia.

Bacot still managed to score 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists in his limited minutes, and Davis has confidence that his production will continue moving forward.

“I’ve never seen anybody sustain ankle sprains and be able to come back like he can. He didn’t think it was as bad as the one obviously in the Final Four and also the one when he hurt it at Virginia. So when Armando’s out there, whether he’s 100% or 75% that’s good news for us,” Davis said.

The Tar Heels need Bacot more than they ever have, as the latest ESPN NCAA March Madness Bracketology has North Carolina as one of the first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament. They face No. 13 ranked Virginia in their quarterfinal matchup on Thursday night, and their leading scorer and rebounder being healthy will surely make a difference in Carolina’s biggest game of the season.

Hubert Davis updates status of Armando Bacot’s ankle injury

In the second round of the ACC Tournament, the North Carolina Tar Heels picked up a big win over Boston College. The Tar Heels dominated the Eagles, winning convincingly 85-61. Although the result of the game was hardly ever in question, the health of North Carolina big man Armando Bacot is, as they prepare for their next matchup. And after the game, UNC head coach Hubert Davis provided an update on Bacot’s injured ankle.

“They were able to loosen it up at halftime, and that’s why he felt like he could go out there and play,” said Davis. “But he was hobbling a little bit in the second half. And then I asked him, I said, ‘Are you OK?’ And he says, ‘No, I feel really good.’

“Once I took him out, then it was done. I didn’t want it to stiffen up or get cold. And so once we took him out, I tried to keep him in there as long as possible and then took him out so he could be done for the night.”

With the injury, Bacot played just 18 minutes for the Tar Heels. In that time, he was able to rack up 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

It was good that North Carolina did not require more from their star to close out Boston College. With North Carolina winning the game decisively, it allowed Bacot to get a few more moments of rest. And that rest could prove critical as the Tar Heels have an even more formidable challenge Thursday evening. Next up for the Tar Heels is their rubber match against Virginia.

On3’s Justin Rudolph contributed to this report