Is Armando Bacot Playing Tonight? UNC Basketball Star Had An Ankle Injury

Posted by Carisa Kissane on Friday, May 17, 2024

Armando Bacot will be playing tonight against Indiana despite his ankle injury. Bacot medical reports say he will be available to play the next game.   

Armando plays in the NCAA for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He got an average of 16.3 points per game and an impressive 56.4% shooting from the field. He has been a star for the North Carolina Tar Heels as he guided his team to reach the final four spot in the 2021-22 season. 

Bacot has excellent performance and is a vital element for UNC. The fans will be stressed as they lost to Alabama and now have to face Indiana with the possibility of their star player's absence. 

With the ankle injury consuming Bacot in the second half, the fans have begun to question whether he will play the next game. However, Head Coach Hubert Davis said he expects Bacot to play in the upcoming matchup. 

Bacot Got An Ankle Injury While Playing Against Alabama

Bacot started to feel his ankle injury in the second half of the match against Alabama without coming into any contact. 

The no-contact injury has surprised fans, and pundits believe he may have fumbled somewhere in the 38 minutes he played. 

Even with his injury, he scored 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, his explosive strength and footwork were still lacking. 

Some of his fans believe he should have rested right then. He could have taken it as a minor issue, or maybe his dedication to the sport made him continue to play. 

Per a tweet by Ross Martin of Inside Carolina, Bacot said that he had felt sharp pains in his right ankle during his game and had to hobble to do post-game interviews. Bacot also said he would try his best to be on the roster against Indiana. 

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The head coach and Bacot himself have given the thumbs up about playing the next game against Indiana; however, the fans are still skeptical since it might just be a ruse to keep Indiana guessing.  

Bacot Has Been Plagued With Ankle Injuries In The Past

Bacot is not a newcomer to getting injuries in his games and recently got an ankle injury back in April 2022.

Bacot got an ankle injury in the semi-final match against Duke on April 3, 2022. His right ankle got rolled in the second half. It was a painful moment, but he didn't stay on the sidelines since he returned in the last quarter. They won the match by 81-77. 

Even though they won the match, North Carolina fans feared their star player wouldn't be in the finals due to the injury. However, a podcaster named Armando Schade tweeted on  April 4 that he reassured the fans that he was in perfect condition to play and wouldn't quit such an important match, no matter what. 

Bacot Had Bad Luck in the Finals

Bad luck loomed in the finals as he received another ankle injury in the game's last minutes against Kansas Jayhawks. 

He was going for a stunning layup; however, his ankles rolled and led to him crumpling on the court. He watched as he lost possession and the final whistle played out as Tar Heels lost by 72-69. 

However, the Kansas team displayed great sportsmanship as Kansas Forward Jalen Wilson didn't take a clear upper hand when their opponent was injured and chose not to take the lead in the match when they were leading by just one point, i.e., 70-69. 

Even after losing the match and getting injured, the Virginian native still chose not to miss the senior season for Taar Heels. 

Controversy About His April Injury

Bacot's last-minute injury in the finals created a controversy about the durability of the courts and its designer.

A user named Chris Butler posted a video on Twitter the next day after the match, showing how the floor had buckled underneath his weight when he got injured. 

The video went viral; many fans complained about the situation and demanded answers and fairness from the NCAA and the court designer. 

The court designer, Conner Sports, made a reassuring statement about how their floors had no loose sides and that their skilled technicians always maintain them. All in all, it was an unfortunate event for Tar Heels and Bacot. 

Bacot had another Ankle Injury back in 2019

Armando Bacot received another ankle injury back in 2019 against Ohio State Buckeye.   

The freshman at that time, Bacot, injured his left ankle when he went for an offensive rebound in the first half and had to leave when he couldn't even walk properly. The team announced that Bacot would miss the rest of the game. 

The coach at the time, Roy Williams, had reported that Bacot had sprained his ankle and was swollen by the time they were at the locker room. Tar Heels lost that game by 74-49, which was a devastating home loss.

Regardless of his injuries, in the 2019-20 season, Bacot played 32 games and started all those 32 for Taar Heels. This only reinforces his star power for the team. He had the per-game records of 9.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 Blocks, and 1.2 Assists.

Armando Bacot Is Having a Prolific Season in the 2022-23

Armando Bacot is a superstar for Taar Heels and is having a great run in the 2022-23 season despite the injuries that plague him from time to time. 

With his towering 6 foot 11 height and incredible physique, it is no wonder he dominates the court. 

In the 2022-23 season, Bacot played 7 games and started all 7. He has played 34.6 minutes per game; if not for his injuries, this stat would only increase. 

Bacot has performed well as a Forward with 16.7 points per game, 11.3 rebounds, and a 67.2 free throw percentage. With more fun to play, we have yet to see more from him. 

Bacot Is A Star In Double-Double

Bacot is North Carolina's highest achiever in double-doubles, and it is one primary factor for his success and fame in the NCAA. 

His double-doubles are a sight to see, and in April, he has already made a 31-double-double single-season record that ties with the 1986's No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, David Robinson. 

On November 20, North Carolina Taar Heels' official Twitter account congratulated Bacot for making 50 successful double-doubles and passing former UNC's Antawn Jamison and Brice johnson in rebounds. 

He has been prolific in rebounds and is the 4th player in the Atlantic Coast Conference's history to post more than 500 rebounds in one season. We have yet to see the full potential of the 22-year-old youngster and hope to see him take care of his injuries and get drafted into the NBA soon. 

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