Sports betting has been a hot topic of late amidst the backdrop of the 2024 March Madness, with the NCAA calling for the ban of prop bets. Enter North Carolina Tar Heels big man Armando Bacot, who shared a story that exemplifies the negative impact of betting on college athletes like him.
Via Shelby Swanson of The Daily Tar Heel:
“After last game versus Michigan State, I guess I didn’t hit the over, so I got probably over 100 DMs from people just telling me, ‘You suck’ and ‘You didn’t hit the over,’” Bacot said with a laugh. “I get it because you come so close to something and you lose it, but at the same time too like, when you’re gambling you gotta realize those books weren’t built on people winning.”
It’s great that Bacot was able to handle the attacks with class, but it’s still unprovoked and warrantless behavior from people who probably shouldn’t be risking money if they can’t handle the worst-case scenarios of their self-made decisions.
Armando Bacot, North Carolina Tar Heels Eliminated From 2024 NCAA Tournament
The Tar Heels are out of the Big Dance after suffering a heartbreaking 89-87 loss to the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday. In other words, Bacot had already played his last game in Tar Heels uniform.
In what turned out to be his farewell appearance for North Carolina, Bacot amassed 19 points and 12 rebounds to go with two steals and a block in 34 minutes.
“I’m definitely hurt. I think we all are a little shocked,” Bacot said after the game, per the Associated Press (via ESPN). “Felt like we hand a chance to win the national championship this year.”
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