LOS ANGELES — As NCAA President Charlie Baker calls for a ban on prop bets on college players, North Carolina star Armando Bacot admitted he received messages from bettors outraged by his performance in games.
“It's terrible,” Bacot said. “I think I didn't get enough rebounds or something in the last game. I thought I played pretty well in the last game, but when I looked at my DMs, over 100 people told me I was the worst. I got the message, 'We didn't get enough rebounds, so that's what happened.
“I think it's a little out of hand, for sure. But at the same time, I understand the point of it. Let's say you bet a lot of money on something, and it's just one pick away from someone ruining it. ” “I understand that the fans are angry, but sometimes it's frustrating,” Bacot added.
Bacot had 18 points and seven rebounds in the second-round game between North Carolina and Michigan State, setting him up for Thursday's Sweet 16 game against Alabama.
His comments came the same day Baker called for a ban on college prop bets. College prop bets are bets placed on a specific athlete, usually with an over/under related to that player's performance. Baker's request comes after the NBA began investigating Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for gambling fraud involving prop bets this season.
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“The problem of sports betting is on the rise across the country, with prop gambling continuing to threaten the integrity of competition and student-athletes being harassed,” Baker said. Statement on social media. “The NCAA is working with states to address these threats, and many states have responded by banning college prop bets.”
Bacot wasn't the only one commenting on the ugly side of sports betting on Wednesday. Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said earlier in the day that the team's office had received a call and it was “very concerning.”
“People are getting very aggressive these days,” Brownell said. “Our office gets phone calls from time to time. When things obviously don't go the bettor's way, we get a nasty phone call. Players will probably get it through social media. I know .”
“This is a really unique time with everything going on in college athletics, but now the gambling element is fueling a whole different fire.”
No. 6 seed Clemson will play No. 2 seed Arizona in the West Sweet 16 on Thursday. This game will be followed by No. 1 seed North Carolina vs. No. 4 seed Alabama.
