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Tennessee’s Rick Barnes Apologizes for Gambling Joke After Win Over Auburn

The offhand remark spread quickly as a social video during heightened scrutiny of college sports gambling.

Overview

  • Barnes joked he wondered if his players were betting on games, then immediately asked reporters to erase the remark and apologized.
  • Tennessee committed 15 turnovers in the 77-69 victory over Auburn, and each of the five starters had at least one.
  • Turnovers have been a season-long problem for the Volunteers, who average 13.1 per game and rank near the bottom nationally.
  • A clip of the exchange posted by reporter Paige Dauer circulated widely and drove national coverage.
  • The quip drew extra attention given recent college basketball gambling and point-shaving cases, and there have been no allegations involving Tennessee players.