I’ll betcha . . .
 . . . whether a crossover dribble and dagger at the buzzer may have cost you a bet or won you cash that night, no one really has “The Answer” where Allen Iverson’s future may be heading.  But according to the persistent vultures in the press, you might think a betting line may post exactly when he’s going to sink.  

With a laundry list of problems facing AI, one sure wager is he's never going to suit up on an NBA court again.  Five weeks ago an ‘undisclosed illness’ for 4-year-old daughter merited a leave of absence and informal retirement.  Following this week are bitter divorce reports from his wife and companion since junior high.  The seediest rumors are newspaper accounts of Iverson’s alleged out of control drinking and pathological gambling.

If this mountain of personal obstacles is true, Iverson will quickly discover who his true friends really are.  Hopefully, he’ll take full responsibility, shun the posse enablers who helped trigger the problems and listen to those who can mercifully dig him out.

Detroit newspapers are rigidly sticking to their story of Iverson being banned from local casinos.  In this case what exactly you do to get yourself permanently thrown out of a casino is unknown.  Get drunk and lose a lot of money? Hell no.  Be a known NBA superstar luring people to the tables?  Absolutely not.  Call it geographic Philadelphia speculation but stories are also emerging of Iverson being banned from Atlantic City casinos.  I’llbetcha somebody should earn a technical foul for stretching the story that far.  For the record, only a minority of people are forbidden to enter a casino, mostly for known organized cheating or serious criminal activity.

If accusations are true, where was, or is, Commissioner Stern on these incidents?  Perhaps still busy sorting out the Tim Donagy scandal or patting down Gilbert Arenas.  Or maybe they’re just not true.  With newspapers desperate to remain in business, juicy headlines targeting sports superstars gain you notoriety and help keep the presses rolling.  Nobody cares about Peyton Manning’s neck surgery this week but Big Ben Roethlisberger’s alleged sexual assault is front page tabloid news and coffee-talk around the world. 

I’ll admit to sounding somewhat sympathetic to Iverson at this part of the game.  Regardless of his off-court problems not many NBA players gave us as much during the game nor created as much exciting action off the court as A.I.  Over the next several months he’ll be facing plenty of questions.  Let’s sort out the truth before we draw conclusions and final answers for "The Answer". 

I’ll betcha . . .
 . . . few bettors can name the states where Winthrop, Murray State and Belmont University hold classes.  And not the Belmont U in New York where I majored in horse racing. 

But no matter where on the map, what’s important a week from now we’ll want to know whether these institutions will cover the spread or “bracket on” for us.   Yeah..I don’t know where they play, who play’s for them or much about who they’re playing.  All I know is "I got a serious play on them".  Welcome to the true essence of "March Madness".

With 63 games to choose the hardcore challenge begins approximately Noon EST next Thursday.  Better have your "boss button" properly installed on your computer.  With broadband access available to every game, don’t want to be caught viewing your selections on company time.  A quick emergency click insures you’re back minding your work if the evil boss circles your desk. 

I would have to think if they played weekday World Series games in 2010 the boss wouldn’t mind you taking a peek at your laptop.  But try making a case for risking your job to watch Radford-Oral Roberts?  Everybody has money or at least their office pool dough down for that.   Plus it’s been six long weeks since the Super Bowl and a high percentage of bettors are finally getting their fix.  

Let’s face it, without gambling and office pools March Madness is March Sadness.  Television ratings would equal hockey on the Versus Network.  The advertisers don’t fund CBS who funds the NCAA plus the schools and so on.  Compared to college football, there is no Heisman Trophy spotlight on players.  The pressure is on schools begging their stars to forego NBA stardom to remain for their degrees.  I’llbetcha you can’t recall colleges the three top paid NBA players played for (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett).  None University.

For the traditional sports bettor the tournament is must-see, must-wager action.  Three weeks of intense opportunity.  For the casual fan, the guy or gal in the office it’s "sports bingo".  Fill out a big card and hope your numbers (basketball teams) are called to win a nice prize.  Become a fantasy sports player for five bucks.

Ladies and gentleman of the jury:  I offer you more conclusive proof wagering dollars rule supreme for "the Big Dance".  During CBS coverage count the mesmerizing break-ins to other games while you’re focusing upon your rah-rah favorite school.  And don’t become hypnotized by the continuing scrolling scoreboard on the top of the screen.  Remember, every basket is huge for Kansas up 28 when they’re favored by 31 1/2.

Oh, to save you Google time, here are your answers:  Winthrop (South Carolina), Murray State (Kentucky) and Belmont (Tennessee).