The North Carolina Tar Heels played to their true billing as a top seed in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, dominating Wagner in a 90-62 victory.
The Seahawks (17-16) gave UNC a good test early, staying within single-digits until there were three minutes left in the opening half. This tends to happen early in games, regardless of the matchup, as teams are rusty from not playing for several days.
North Carolina received scoring contributions from nearly everyone, led by double-digit outings from RJ Davis (game-high 22 points), Armando Bacot (20) and Jae’Lyn Withers (16). Bacot added 15 rebounds, notching career double-double 86 and moving one away from tying Tim Duncan atop the ACC list.
Not only is Bacot nearing Duncan’s double-doubles mark, but he also tied Duncan and fellow Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon with his seventh-consecutive double-double in the Big Dance.
ARMANDO BACOT IS AMONG THE GREATS‼️
The longest streak by any player over the last 50 seasons. @UNC_Basketball pic.twitter.com/Kgp5CStidn
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) March 21, 2024
This is pretty impressive company for another UNC all-time great to be in. Bacot has been a double-double machine this year, recording one in 18 games, including the past five.
The Tar Heels will need this type of production from their best forward, particularly as they advance deeper in the Big Dance. When North Carolina needs its stars to deliver in the clutch, Bacot has proven he can do so.
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