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Armando Bacot leaves Final Four game vs. Duke with apparent injury

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•04/02/22•

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Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Armando Bacot was having a massive game for North Carolina. Then, Tar Heels fans had to hold their breath.

Bacot went down with an apparent leg injury with 5:18 to play in the second half of North Carolina’s Final Four matchup against Duke. At the time, he had 11 points and 19 rebounds, and was a huge reason why the Tar Heels were able to keep pace with the Blue Devils. It was a tie game when he left the game.

He limped off the court and had some help from the trainers, but was seen walking better and under his own power toward the locker room at the Caesar’s Superdome. He ended up re-entering the game and immediately grabbed his 20th board.

Bacot has been a huge piece for the Tar Heels this season, averaging 16.5 points and 12.8 rebounds. He’s a big reason why North Carolina was able to rattle off a run to the Final Four this year.

Caleb Love hits tough shot to lift North Carolina to title game over Duke

It was a highly anticipated game for a reason, and Duke vs. North Carolina certainly lived up to the billing.

The two teams traded blows in the second half, seemingly going punch for punch down the stretch. In the end, North Carolina came out on top 81-77, ending Duke’s season — and, therefore, ending Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career.

With 18 lead changes, it was nothing short of an instant classic.

Duke had the lead at halftime, 37-34, but North Carolina went on a run to start the second half to make things interesting. The two teams traded blows down the stretch, always seeming to have an answer for one another. Ultimately, North Carolina struck the final blow.

Armando Bacot led the charge for North Carolina, pulling down 21 rebounds in addition to his 11 points before fouling out with 46.7 seconds to play. Caleb Love led the Tar Heels in scoring with 27 points, including the dagger three with 24 seconds to play. It only added to his massive NCAA Tournament this year.

For Duke, Paolo Banchero scored 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils with a double-double. The Blue Devils ran into foul trouble in the first half, but managed to fight through it into the second half to add to the craziness of the game.