The NCAA approved a rule change last week that will allow student-athletes and athletic department officials to gamble on professional sports starting Nov. 1 in a departure from decades of precedent.

One day after the NCAA’s announcement, news of a massive NBA gambling scandal broke, featuring fixed poker games tied to the mafia as well as the leakage of inside NBA personnel information for betting purposes.

It would be a stretch to create a direct link between a college athlete wagering on pro sports games and the schemes that have ensnared Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

But that didn’t stop Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi from unloading on the NCAA’s ruling and the omnipresence of sports gambling in general.

“I think it’s absolutely one of the stupidest decisions I’ve ever seen,” Narduzzi said. “First of all, it’s a habit. It’s no different than smoking, drinking (or) doing drugs. It’s a bad habit. I don’t think anybody in here encourages their guys to go out drinking and get smashed on a Friday or Saturday night or at a ballgame. It’s a disease.

“… I think it’s an addiction. I think if you want to go to the casino down the road and hang out there and throw your money away, think you’re going to continue to win, gambling is gambling. I’m not a gambler, so I don’t understand it. I’m not addicted to anything. I don’t think it’s a great thing to teach our young people how to do.”

Pitt’s 11th-year coach sees what the NCAA is allowing as a slippery slope as it pertains to NCAA compliance, adherence to which requires regular weekly meetings on Narduzzi’s part.

“Push the wrong button on your phone (and) see what happens,” Narduzzi said. “ ‘I did it, but I thought it was an NFL game. I pushed the wrong button and just put a bet on a college football game.’ I just think it’s not good.”

Narduzzi said he’ll be dedicating a chunk of one of Pitt’s team meetings to address the recent rules changes, which are soon taking effect whether he likes it or not.

While Narduzzi can’t control whether his players or staff choose to place wagers on pro sports, he’ll be making his own opinion on the matter crystal clear.

“Stay away,” Narduzzi said. “Nothing changes in our room. You guys shouldn’t be doing any of that. Save your money. Put it in the bank. That’s my feelings.”

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