There’s a big difference between a “best bet” and a sure thing.
After ESPN betting analyst Erin Dolan recommended betting on Northwestern to score under 60.5 points during its game Sunday against UConn in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, host Rece Davis’s deadpan banter during the televised segment might have crossed a thin line.
“You know what?” Davis said to Dolan. “Some would call this wagering, gambling. I think the way you’ve sold this, I think what it is, is a risk-free investment.”
Rece Davis (l.) and Erin Dolan (r.) on ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Sunday. ESPN Dolan briefly interrupted Davis and called it “sweating,” sensing that low number would have some gamblers worrying with every basket scored by Northwestern.
But she seemed as surprised as anyone when Davis called it a “risk-free investment,” shrugging her shoulders.
“OK,” she said. “A positive way.”
It sounded a bit like a joke that missed the mark, based on Dolan trusting her gut more than any research.
“We’re going to get a little spicy here. This is going to be a sweat,” she said. “I wish I could give you a ton of research on why this is going to hit under. But we look at UConn, they like to slow down the tempo. Same thing goes for Northwestern. If they want to stay in this game, they are going to have to slow down UConn’s offense.”
Northwestern scored 77 points in its first-round win against Florida Atlantic, but the score was 58-58 after regulation.
No bet is risk-free. Few investments, if any, are risk-free.
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Rece Davis (l.) interviews Jim Harbaugh (r.) after Michigan’s Rose Bowl win on Jan. 1, 2024. Getty Images Social media was quick to criticize Davis’ assessment.
“This is way more damaging to the sports betting industry than anything going on with Shohei Ohtani,” Fox Sports Radio betting analyst Jared Smith wrote.
“No, it’s not a ‘risk-free investment,’ and it never will be,” Prince J. Grimes, betting writer at Bet For the Win, wrote.
Davis went on X Sunday afternoon to say his comment was not meant to be taken seriously.
“During a segment this morning on @CollegeGameDay, due to @ESPNBet picks hitting yesterday, I joked the advice was more like “risk free investing.” As we all know, such a thing does not exist,” Davis wrote. “Obviously, there are risks. Though I’m not a gambler, I strongly encourage those who do partake, do so with prudence, care, caution, fiscal and personal responsibility and never over-extend. Sports are unpredictable. Wagering is tricky. So let’s agree to manage monetary risks appropriately. I’m sure most recognized my comment was tongue-in-cheek. Just to clarify.”
