Nearly two weeks after Temple came one game from qualifying for March Madness, the NCAA still appears far from resolving an investigation into suspicious wagering activity on several Owls’ games this year.
Speaking at a press conference at the NCAA East Regional in Boston, Baker hinted that it could be awhile before any investigations surrounding irregular betting will be completed. Baker, a former governor of Massachusetts, declined to comment on the Temple matter on Thursday due to the pending investigation.
Ahead of Temple’s loss to UAB on March 7, several major books pulled the game off the board amid rapid line fluctuations. Within a period of hours, sports betting industry watchdog, told Sports Handle that the game “might be looked into deeper.”
UAB defeated Temple 100-72, handing an easy victory to backers of the Blazers. One day later, Loyola (MD) disclosed that the school dismissed a member of the men’s basketball team for a gambling violation.
There are indications that a law enforcement agency is investigating the Temple case, a source with knowledge of the matter told Sports Handle on Thursday. The NCAA has not disclosed if other universities are under investigation for games involving suspicious wagering.
“Pulling the thread far” 5a732c
Given the complexity of multi-jurisdictional investigations in sports betting, quick resolutions are often unrealistic. Last May, Alabama fired former baseball coach Brad Bohannon for sharing inside information on an injured Crimson Tide pitcher with an Ohio bettor. The Ohio Casino Control Commission eventually placed Bohannon on an involuntary sports betting exclusion list, but not until last month. Bert Neff, one of the bettors embroiled in the scandal, pleaded guilty to obstructing a federal investigation in February.
In the NFL, former Colts defensive back Isaiah Rodgers Sr. reportedly placed hundreds of bets two seasons ago, including a four-figure prop on then teammate Jonathan Taylor. It took the NFL more than six months to suspend the corner. Even with this month’s investigation against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, law enforcement appeared to exercise caution before confirming the probe. While federal authorities reportedly learned of the connection to Ohtani in January, the case didn’t come to light until last week’s 2024 Seoul Series in South Korea.
UAB built a double-digit lead by the four-minute mark of the first half, before heading to the locker room with a 47-32 lead. It marked the third straight game that Temple failed to score at least 35 points by halftime, prompting some bettors on social media to raise questions on the Owls’ proclivity for hitting first-half under wagers.
Temple then reeled off five straight wins creating a rematch against the Blazers in the AAC tournament finals. UAB prevailed 85-69, ending Temple’s miraculous run. The Owls ended the season with a 16-20 mark.
NCAA President Charlie Baker declined to address the Temple suspicious betting case citing the pending investigation. Generally speaking, Baker added that it is more important to investigate such matters thoroughly rather than to reach a swift resolution #MarchMadness #GamblingX pic.twitter.com/CvtOgC9eXX
— Matt Rybaltowski (@MattRybaltowski) March 28, 2024
While Temple University indicated that it would review all reports in accordance with university and NCAA policies, the athletic department did not comment further. Baker addressed the case on Thursday for the first time publicly. As with any major investigation, Baker stressed there is a “constant tension” between conducting a meticulous probe and getting to a resolution.
“I think in these particular instances it’s really important that we pull the thread as far as we can before we make a decision,” said Baker in a response to a question from Sports Handle.
Banning props on college athletes v1q2o
Baker’s appearance came one day after he issued a statement urging others to several states in banning prop wagers on college athletes. In recent months, three states — Maryland, and Vermont — approved measures prohibiting bettors from placing prop bets on college athletes. Massachusetts and Colorado also banned props on college athletes when the states enacted legislation on sports wagering.
A gambling regulator from Michigan told Sports Handle on Thursday that the state will examine a potential ban after the NCAA’s push to extinguish the bets from the market. At Thursday’s press conference, Baker depicted an environment on college campuses where athletes are constantly being inundated with reminders on betting. The atmosphere becomes more complicated if a player receives pressure from a fellow student to “not take the first shot” of a game or miss his first two free throws, Baker noted.
If Baker is successful in enlisting a majority of states to ban props, the offshore market will likely benefit, JMP Securities analyst Jordan Bender wrote in a research note. A large-scale ban could negatively impact sportsbooks by as much as $500 million, Bender determined based on 2023 revenue. It may also prompt pro sports commissioners to re-evaluate the role of props in the marketplace.
Also this week, ESPN reported that the NBA is investigating Raptors forward Jontay Porter for betting irregularities associated with at least two props this season.
NCAA President Charlie Baker released the following, saying that they are seeking to remove college prop bets from all betting markets. “The NCAA is drawing the line on sports betting to protect student-athletes and to protect the integrity of the game.” pic.twitter.com/Grkco7kplG
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 27, 2024
One study commissioned by the NCAA found that approximately one in three student-athletes have been harassed in some form by bettors. Last year, the association hired a company to monitor traffic on social media being directed toward athletes, coaches, and officials related to sports betting. Baker described a threat to one team as “severe enough” that the NCAA provided the team with 24/7 police protection.
An NCAA spokesperson later told Sports Handle that the threat did not occur during the Men’s Division I basketball tournament.
Concern among coaches 3h6
Baker delivered the comments on a that featured Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, along with representatives from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health.
The ists discussed a public-private partnership unveiled Thursday that will seek to address the harms associated with youth gambling on sports. Campbell would like the partnership to focus on advocacy that deters underaged bettors from being ensnared “into a cycle of problem gambling, law-breaking, or addiction.”
A day earlier, the media peppered coaches from all four participants on the perils associated with sports betting. When asked about Baker’s crusade to outlaw props, Illinois coach Brad Underwood responded, “I would hate to see the day where nobody jumps for the jump ball because of a prop bet.”
When the line of questioning turned to the Temple investigation, Underwood noted that his fellow coaches “would be buried in a hole” if they weren’t paying attention to the current climate on betting.
Baker: "Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity of competition and leading to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed." https://t.co/bgHMf0oIX7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 27, 2024
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger previously coached at UNLV, a school located several miles from some of the world’s largest sportsbooks. Last September, the XL Center in Hartford opened a new 5,000-square-foot sportsbook, an arena where UConn played several games in 2024.
UConn coach Dan Hurley is in favor of increased outreach efforts aimed at educating players on unsavory characters that may be lurking on campus. The seminars can inform athletes on certain characteristics to identify if they are approached by an individual.
The athletic department continues to hold internal discussions, Hurley indicated, on stressing to its athletes how to avoid the pitfalls of sports betting. For its part, U.S. Integrity launched an anoymous tip line that enables athletes, coaches, trainers, and others to report potential betting improprieties without fear of retribution.
The NCAA 2023-24 athletic season concludes in June with the College World Series. Baker did not set a timetable for when an investigation into suspicious betting activity may be completed.
“It might take longer than people want, but at the end of the day, that’s not a bad thing,” he added.
