My favorite betting story involves UConn men`s basketball. I had season tickets at the then Hartford Civic Center with three other guys, from the early 80`s to the early 90`s. There was a game in February 1985 when a so-so UConn team (shortly before the Jim Calhoun era) behind Earl Kelley`s game winner with three seconds left beat a heavily favored Syracuse team (Pearl Washington, Rafael Addison, Rony Seikaly, etc.) 71-69.
It was bedlam. Crazy! Wonderful. Except for one of my friends who had bet Syracuse, not sure how much but certainly enough to matter. He was quite taciturn (a word I don`t use with regularity) while we were all overjoyed about the UConn win and more than happy to give a fair amount of arguably good-natured ribbing to our friend who had the misfortune to have bet on Syracuse.
I learned from that that betting on a game, especially one you have a serious rooting interest in, is problematical but that above all it is a HUGE MISTAKE to bet against the team you are rooting for!!!!!
Two of the four, including the bettor, are unfortunately no longer with us. When I get together with the fourth season ticket holder, we invariably bring that situation up and laugh heartily. We find it hilarious. Maybe you had to know the guy (he was a character) and to be there, I don`t know. Anyhow, don`t bet against your team, whatever you do!
