Cole Anthony called him “my guy.” Garrison Brooks said “tough situations” last year made him deserve this all the more. Armando Bacot lauded him as a “do-it-all" player, while (correctly) guessing that few people outside UNC know his name. At least a few more in Chapel Hill know it now.
Andrew Platek had the best game of his career in No. 9 North Carolina’s 76-65 win over Notre Dame, putting up eight points, four rebounds and two assists in a career-high 25 minutes.
Tame numbers, sure, in comparison to first-year phenom Anthony’s 34-11-5 line and even Brooks’ 10-point, nine-rebound outing. But, in talking to the reserve junior guard afterward, you got the feeling this one went beyond basketball.
“It’s crazy,” Platek said. “Only really my family and the people close to me know what I've been through these past two years and how hard I've worked to have this opportunity. It’s been the hardest thing in my life, but I'm so grateful.”
When senior guard Brandon Robinson sprained his ankle in an exhibition last week, Platek knew he’d take on a heavier load. But his first-half playing time was still a surprise — he played no more than 11 minutes in a game last season, yet here he was logging 12 in the first half of an ACC contest.
Within a minute of subbing in, he grabbed an offensive rebound, passed it out to Justin Pierce and worked a smooth pick-and-pop with the forward on the left sideline, tossing the ball over his shoulder to an open Pierce for a 3-pointer. He grabbed another offensive rebound and hit a three of his own before halftime.
“He’s getting the time he deserves now because he's worked so hard,” Brooks said. “People are going to see those shots going in all the time like I'm used to in practice. Proud of the way he plays.”
The Tar Heels dominated the second half in every facet — and that was thanks, mostly, to Anthony, whose 34 points set an ACC and UNC record for the most in a first-year’s debut.
