"While neither illegal nor a violation of NCAA rules, gambling is a touchy issue for an organization already skittish about holding its biggest event in a city that counts three casinos among its attractions.

In a separate news conference at Ford Field, NCAA president Myles Brand said the organization only prohibits gambling on college and professional sports. But Brand said he would prefer athletes don't gamble at the casinos.

"Well, I warn against that slippery slope. It's a fair question," said Brand, who was not asked specifically about Lawson. "What a student does, play bingo in his church for example, while we discourage that, we prefer not to try and regulate that particular kind of activity. But it's highly discouraged."

Tar Heels team spokesman Steve Kirschner had a different take about the 21-year-old Lawson visiting the craps table.

"I'm just amazed that people are going to make a big deal about it," Kirschner said.

Personally, I have no issue with this gambling expedition. If they player is of legal age and he's not throwing around thousands of dollars, it shouldn't be a problem.

Disagree?