Many Tar Heel fans are concerned about the start that this year’s team is off to after this season being billed the Redemption Tour 2.0. While there was frustration after a four overtime loss to Alabama in the third place game of the Phil Knight Invitational, that quickly turned to concern with injuries to two of the team’s ‘Core Four’.
Ross Martin of Inside Carolina reported late in the evening on Sunday following the loss that senior forward Armando Bacot said he was experiencing “sharp pains” in his right ankle and he was hobbled as he headed out of the media room after the press conference. Bacot didn’t look quite the same in overtime, something that seemed to be a symptom of foul trouble more than an injury. He played just :31 seconds of the final three overtime periods and could be seen after the second overtime running across the floor to sort of test the foot. That left some questions about his status for the upcoming ACC/Big Ten Challenge game against Indiana, but that was cleared up by head coach Huibert Davis in his press conference on Monday.
Davis said that the entire team did practice on Tuesday and that both Bacot and wing Leaky Black, who rolled his ankle in the first overtime, but did return, are expected to play in Bloomington on Wednesday night. Bacot will enter the game averaging 16.7 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game and 1.6 blocks per game. Black is having a career year so far, averaging 8.7 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game and shooting 54% overall and 41% from deep.
It will be huge for the team to have their top two rebounders and their best overall defender in this one where they will sorely need it against an Indiana team that is off to a strong start to their season. The game will tip tomorrow night around 9:15 PM on ESPN and the Tar Heel Sports Network.
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