Former NFL head doctor gives important injury update on Armando Bacot
North Carolina fans held their collective breaths when Armando Bacot rolled his ankle late on Saturday, as thoughts of an injury that would keep him out of the title game crossed the mind. However, former NFL head doctor — David J. Chao — is providing a promising diagnosis.
“Right ankle mild inversion lateral sprain before fouling out,” tweeted Chao after viewing the injury. “Worry for overnight swelling but expect him to play Monday.”
It’s not an official diagnosis, but Chao’s words can lend some promise to worried North Carolina faithful. As long as Bacot is on the court, the Tar Heels have a shot at a title.
Moreover, Bacot went down with an apparent leg injury with 5:18 to play in the second half of North Carolina’s Final Four matchup against Duke. At the time, he had 11 points and 19 rebounds, and was a huge reason why the Tar Heels were able to keep pace with the Blue Devils. It was a tie game when he exited.
He limped off the court and had some help from the trainers, but was seen walking better and under his own power toward the locker room at the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans. The star forward ended up re-entering the game and immediately grabbed his 20th board. He finished the contest with 11 points and 21 rebounds.
Bacot has been a huge piece for the Tar Heels this season, averaging 16.5 points and 12.8 rebounds. He’s a big reason why North Carolina was able to rattle off a run to the Final Four this year.
He’ll look to continue to make his presence known at 9:20 p.m. ET Monday, when UNC is set to tip off against Kansas for the national championship.
Hubert Davis sends emotional message following North Carolina Final Four win
After North Carolina outlasted rival Duke 81-77 in the Final Four on Saturday, Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis couldn’t hold back his emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he tried to explain to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson just how special this moment is to him.
“I don’t know,” an overwhelmed Davis said. “I haven’t had a chance to think about it. All I know is this has been a group of toughness, perseverance, resiliency. I’ve said that over the last two, two-and-a-half months, this group has been so together. The help of this team and this program is at it’s finest. I’m just so proud of seeing them continue to have experiences, testimonies and stories out there. I’m just telling you as a coach, it brings so much joy to me to see these guys having a smile on their face and come up big. This is a beautiful moment.”
For Hubert Davis, who is in his first season as head coach of UNC after nine years as an assistant, this run to the Final Four has put the Tar Heels back where they belong. North Carolina had failed to reach 18 wins in each of the past two seasons, and even this year wasn’t considered a contender for the title. But despite entering the tournament as a No. 8 seed, UNC will have a chance to cut down the nets Monday against Kansas.
“I felt like over the last two of three years, North Carolina wasn’t relevant,” Davis said. “North Carolina should never be irrelevant. It should be front and center with the spotlight on players like Caleb and RJ. I’m just so happy for them. I’m so happy for our program and university. It’s a beautiful day for North Carolina basketball.”
On3’s Nick Schultz and Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.