Anyone who watched North Carolina play Kansas in the national championship Monday night could see big man Armando Bacot was less than 100 percent.
He sprained his ankle just two days prior against Duke, and the injury limited his usual movement and effectiveness. But it was a game UNC desperately needed his size and skill, so he gutted it out and played through the injury. And what a performance it was.
With one good leg, the Tar Heels’ leading scorer and rebounder basically matched his season averages, with team-highs of 15 points and 15 rebounds, including six offensive boards. He was instrumental in UNC building its huge lead and really the only answer they had to Kansas big man David McCormack.
