Jan 26, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) with the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies forward Justyn Mutts (25) and forward Keve Aluma (22) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina center Armando Bacot is Dick Vitale’s pick for ACC Player of the Year.
Bacot has broken numerous program records so far this season and is averaging 16.4 points and 12.7 rebounds per contest. He’s closing in on UNC’s single-season record for rebounds, too.
Vitale explained this pick in a column for ESPN on Thursday
.
“Bacot has been a double-double machine, keeping the Tar Heels in the hunt for an NCAA tournament bid,” Vitale wrote.
No one can argue with that assessment. Bacot has posted 23 double-doubles already this season and has been one of the most dominant players in the ACC.
UNC coach Hubert Davis has repeatedly advocated for Bacot to take home t
he honor. Other candidates include Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Wake Forest’s Alondes Williams.
Williams is perhaps a more serious threat, as the he leads the ACC in points and assists going into the final weekend. Wake Forest also beat the Tar Heels earlier this year in a game where Williams put up 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Still, Bacot’s résumé will be hard to ignore. North Carolina finishes its regular season on the road at Duke on Saturday.
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