Welter: Armando Bacot is back and so is college basketball

By Pat Welter

Has NIL saved college basketball? It doesn't hurt. In the age where everyone feels like the NCAA is exploiting college athletes, the consensus has been go to the NBA when you can. Now there's a middle ground, you can stay in school and get paid. The longer you stay, the bigger you can build your brand. There's also this crazy concept, maybe playing college basketball is really fun.

UNC double-double machine Armando Bacot announced Wednesday that he was coming back for his senior year. In a well-crafted release by UNC, Bacot simply said "I'm back."

A video message he posted to social media was more loquacious.

In the video, Bacot said, "We got so close this year. I know there are no guarantees, but I want the opportunity to play in those big games and keep Carolina on the national stage. To have the chance to do what coach Davis has talked about since his first day on the job, hang another banner in the Smith Center. My Carolina story isn't finished yet. Next season starts right now."

Despite averaging 16.3 ppg and 13.1 rpg and finishing as the runner-up ACC player of the year, Bacot isn't considered a NBA-caliber big man, at least a starting one. That said, we have been conditioned to assume every player who can chase the money, even if it's G-League, will.

Bacot's decision is refreshing because it reminds us that college basketball and college accomplishments still matter. Bacot's return could mean that Leaky Black and Caleb Love return announcements are next. Brady Manek is the only player among the 2021 starting five without any eligibility remaining.

Immediately after Carolina's heart-breaking loss to Kansas in the national championship, I was reminded of the 2015-16 UNC team who lost to Villanova on a last second shot by Kris Jenkins. That team lost Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson, but returned Joel Berry, Theo Pinson, Justin Jackson and Kennedy Meeks. They defeated Gonzaga to earn Carolina its sixth national title the next year. Like Bacot said in his video message, this group has a chance to do the same thing.

Caleb Love has said he's exploring the NBA draft process and gathering feedback. ESPN has him going 50th overall. Personally, I think he could and should be a lottery pick. I won't judge what he decides to do, and neither should you. However a return would be a major win for college basketball.

We've seen 2021 lottery picks Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga bypass college basketball for the G-League. Charlotte's LaMelo Ball chose to play in Australia. NIL should help stop that trend.

A Carolina with a core who played in the national championship game and ended Coach K's career would give the nation someone to root for and against. Sure Duke will be back in the mix under Jon Scheyer but with almost an entirely new group. NIL obviously plays a factor in a player's decision to return to school, but we shouldn't overlook their genuine love for the game.

Armando Bacot said you'd have to cut his foot off to keep him from playing in the national title game after he sprained his ankle versus Duke. He heroically returned to the Duke game after exiting and then received round-the-clock treatment before getting hurt again versus Kansas. Those weren't "business decisions." That's heart.

I should also add he had to complete a homework assignment the day before the national championship game.

When Bacot says he wants to return to hang a banner I believe him. Hubert Davis repeatedly said during Carolina's March Madness run that making the Final Four as a UNC player was his favorite basketball memory ever. He lost to Kansas in 1991. Imagine how good it would feel to actually win it all.

I don't know about you, but college was the best years of my life. I met my wife at Providence College in Rhode Island. I met best friends that I still talk to and hang out with every day. I can only imagine what college would be like as a student-athlete. We are so conditioned to hate the NCAA that we've forgotten how special that experience can be.  Sure turning pro is a dream come true, but being the big man on campus surrounded by your friends, with a free education and the ability to get paid is pretty cool too.

Bacot and whoever else decides to return from the 2021 Tar Heels has a chance to be immortal. The NBA will be there a year from now. I guess you can say heaven can wait.