How Armando Bacot helped Jae’Lyn Withers record his first double-double against Louisville
With 11:50 left in the game, Jae’Lyn Withers made the first of two awarded free throws. Between shots, Louisville’s Mike James made a comment about El Nopal — a Mexican restaurant at which they used to eat together.
Withers missed the second. He “got a little sidetracked.”
Withers transferred to North Carolina this season after spending four years with the Cardinals. Wednesday, he was the “hero” of UNC’s 86-70 victory over Louisville, contributing 15 points and 10 rebounds — the graduate student’s first double-double as a Tar Heel.
“We just don’t win this game without J-Wit. He was fantastic,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “We needed him to have his best game of the season. I’m just really happy and I’m really proud of him.”
Withers brings a level of activity, athleticism and bulk to the lineup that Carolina doesn’t have in anyone else, Davis added. He made cuts off the ball and scored, contributed a baseline dunk, and muscled his way through the paint to grab rebounds.
Armando Bacot, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds — three shy of a double-double — said his lower-than-usual rebound total was intentional.
“I told (Withers) today I was gonna make sure he got a double-double.,” Bacot said. “That’s why I didn’t get a double-double. I was just boxing out trying to give him all the easy rebounds. He did a good job with that, so I’m happy for him.”
Withers said he’s learned a lot from Bacot. The longtime Tar Heel taught the newcomer how to be gritty in the post and bully opponents. He’s also taken notes on footwork.
RJ Davis called Withers a “freak of an athlete” for his ability to perform on both ends of the floor, while Bacot attributed Withers’ recent performances to feeling comfortable. He’s finally finding his spot on the floor.
“I thought he did a great job of just picking up energy, especially coming off the bench,” Bacot said. “I thought he was great. We didn’t have the best performance from our bench guys today, but just him making a difference meant everything for us.”
Originally from Charlotte, Withers said nine family members were at Wednesday’s game, the second-highest total of the season so far.
Withers appeared in 81 games for the Cards, averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He recorded five double-doubles during his time in Louisville.
The forward called his big night “definitely special.” There were nerves at first, he said, but it all worked out.
Neither Withers nor his teammates believe he’s reached his ceiling. They believe he can continue improving and set the Heels up for additional success as the season continues.
“He’s the X-factor with the way he can do so many things athletically,” Bacot said. “Nobody on our team can do that, and it’s huge for us when he’s playing at a high level.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2024 at 8:16 AM.
