Special Duo of Armando Bacot & RJ Davis Sends North Carolina to 35th ACC Tournament Championship Game

By Will Locklin

Staff Writer

March 16, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC — As the final seconds expired in North Carolina’s 72-65 win over Pittsburgh to advance to Saturday’s ACC Tournament Championship Game, Armando Bacot and RJ Davis embraced each aother. 

“Just one of those things being excited getting to the championship,” Armando Bacot said postgame. “RJ has been our closer all year and he hit some huge shots, so I was really just embracing him and telling him thank you.”

The biggest shot of all for the Heels came with just under three minutes to go. UNC held a four point advantage over Pitt, then Davis happened. The ACC Player of the Year hit a massive 3-point shot to bump Carolina’s advantage to seven, and ultimately push the Heels past the Panthers for good. 

“I think it just shows all the hard work he's put in to be able to make a huge shot like that when we need him most on the biggest stage,” Bacot said. 

While Davis gets the credit for the dagger 3-pointer, he was freed up for the shot because of Bacot’s excellent screen — showcasing how the duo has worked together to create magic happen on the hardwood for Carolina over the past few years. 

“RJ made a great move, but it was a traffic screen by Armando that got RJ open,” Hubert Davis said postgame. “Specifically in the second half we put the ball in the hands of RJ and Armando, and if they didn't score, just their passing and decision making was just fantastic.”

The Tar Heels star duo combined for 44 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Davis finished with a game high of 25 points, his 20th game of 20-plus points or more of the season. Bacot totaled 19 points and 10 rebounds, marking up his 16th double double of the season. 

Additionally, Davis and Bacot also scored the final 18 points of the game for Carolina — which was enough to salt away a scrappy Pittsburgh squad who was playing to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

“Super proud of this group and the way we battled tonight, because Pittsburgh is a really good team, they play tough on both ends of the floor,” RJ Davis said. “For us to come out with a win, that's Carolina basketball right there.” 

Bacot and Davis have been through a lot together in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. From the high of a Final Four and subsequent National Championship appearance in 2022. To missing the Big Dance entirely in 2023 after being ranked No. 1 in the Preseason AP Top 25 Poll. What kept the duo together after experiencing such a dichotomy of team success from one year to the next was their bond as friends.  

“He’s more than a teammate to me, he’s one of my best friends,” Davis said of Bacot. “He embraced me as soon as I stepped onto campus and our friendship goes beyond the game of basketball. It’s a lifelong friendship I’ll hold forever.”

Friday’s ACC Tournament semifinal game was the 133rd game Davis and Bacot have suited up in Carolina blue together as teammates. Game 134 for Davis and Bacot will give them an opportunity to cut down nets for the second time in their careers, and the first as potential ACC Tournament Champions. 

“The way we battled over the years and to now be in the position we’re in, playing for a championship tomorrow is special,” Davis said. 

Saturday, UNC will play in the program’s 35th ever ACC Championship and first since 2018 when the Tar Heels fell to Virginia, 71-63. If Carolina triumphs in the ACC Title Game, it will be the Heels’ first ACC Tournament Championship since 2016 when North Carolina beat Virginia 61-57.  

“It would mean a lot to this program just because we haven't won it in a couple of years,” Davis said. “It just shows how much of a team we are and how resilient we are. We set goals at the beginning of this year, and for us to be one more game away means a lot, but the job is not finished.”