3 Key UNC Players to Watch in March Madness
North Carolina is headed to the NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites. They need these three X-factors to perform well to go far.
By Cem Yolbulan
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels are entering the NCAA Tournament as one of the top seeds and the favorites to win the national championship. As they hope to win their seventh title, and first since 2017, North Carolina will be led by their star guard RJ Davis.
One of the best players in the country, Davis will be the go-to scorer for North Carolina throughout March Madness. The Tar Heels know what to expect from their senior guard.
What they get from the rest of the team, however, will determine how far they go in the tournament. These are the three most important players for the Tar Heels' Final Four chase.
Armando Bacot
North Carolina has first and foremost been a defensive team this season. Compared to previous seasons, Hubert Davis' team has relied more on their defensive intensity and physicality over their offensive prowess to rack up wins.
And the anchor of this defense has been senior big man Armando Bacot.
Bacot hasn't made the offensive leap some were hoping for, seeing a reduction in his usage and scoring this season. But, his defensive contributions have been undeniable.
One of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the tournament, Bacot provides backline defense while perimeter defenders can pressure the ball and force steals to go out in transition.
Considering that the Tar Heels are the sixth-best defensive team in the country according to KenPom, Bacot's importance to the team can not be understated. They will need him to stay out of foul trouble and continue dominating with his physicality to give North Carolina a chance to win against the best teams.