UNC’s experienced hoops roster has three 1,000-point scorers

UNC basketball players Armando Bacot, R.J. Davis and Cormac Ryan are all members of the 1,000-point scoring club.

Just over a month away from kicking off the 2023-2024 NCAA men’s basketball season, UNC is looking to avenge one of its most disappointing seasons in program history.

The Tar Heels had high hopes last year, especially after making the 2022 NCAA Tournament title game against Kansas, but instead became the first Preseason Number One to miss the Big Dance.

With an experienced roster led by R.J. Davis and Armando Bacot, plus an influx of talented transfers, there’s plenty of optimism UNC will bounce back.

The Tar Heels carry so much experience on this year’s roster, they actually carry three 1,000-point scorers: Bacot, Davis and Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan.

Bacot is already an all-time UNC great, leading the program in rebounds (1,335) and double-doubles (68). He was often the Heels’ go-to scoring source last year, bullying opponents in the paint and seemingly sucking in every rebound. With yet another offseason to refine his post moves and add some new tricks to his bag, expect Bacot to be even more of a force in his collegiate grand finale.

Davis provided the Heels strength in an area they’ve sorely lacked in recent years – 3-point shooting. Outside of Jackson Watkins draining his lone 3-point attempt last season, Davis led UNC in perimeter shooting percentage (.362%). Carolina has some additional reliable 3-point options this year, but expect Davis to anchor the perimeter shooting attack on a nightly basis.

Ryan, the newest Tar Heel on this list, is going to be Davis’ greatest scoring compliment. The 3-time team captain dropped 1,173 points and drained 212 3-pointers over the past three years at Notre Dame. His career perimeter shooting percentage is 35.2%, while he shoots over 80% from the free throw line.

UNC has plenty of additional scoring talent on the roster, such as 5-star freshman Elliot Cadeau and backup center Jalen Washington. If there’s three guys who fans can expect to lead the Heels in scoring this year, however, those guys would be Bacot, Davis and Ryan.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.