LOOK: Mike Krzyzewski, Armando Bacot share moment after Final Four

Armando Bacot had a massive game for North Carolina against Duke in the Final Four on Saturday. Afterward, he shared a cool moment with retiring Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Bacot pulled down 21 rebounds while also scoring 11 points to lead the Tar Heels over the Blue Devils 81-77 and into the national championship game. As Krzyzewski made his way to his press conference, he stopped Bacot — who left the game briefly with an injury — and had a message for him.

K just approached Armando Bacot before going to media availability and said, “I hope you’re OK, man. You were my player of the year.” pic.twitter.com/KnRV3pYNZT

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 3, 2022

“I hope you’re OK, man,” Krzyzewski told Bacot, via CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. “You were my Player of the Year.”

Bacot sure played like the Player of the Year on Saturday, and he’ll now get ready to play for a national championship. North Carolina will take on Kansas in the title game on Monday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

North Carolina defeats Duke in Final Four, advances to national championship

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.