An unexpected shift in betting lines for Thursday's Temple-UAB American Athletic Conference (AAC) men's basketball game raised eyebrows within the gambling community.
U.S. Integrity, a reputable sports integrity and investigative consulting firm, reportedly flagged unusual wagering activity surrounding the contest to casinos on March 7, 2024.
According to reports, the line swung dramatically from Temple as a two-point favorite to reaching highs of eight points in favor of UAB at various sportsbooks.
During a college basketball game marked by an absence of major injuries or suspensions to key players, the betting behavior deviated noticeably from the typical.
U.S. Integrity, known for its efforts in safeguarding the integrity of athletic competitions against betting-related corruption and other forms of misconduct, had previously flagged such activity in the University of Alabama baseball game last year.
received the alert and are reviewing the matter to see if there's any impact in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Temple's loss to UAB by a score of 100-72 saw UAB cover the spread, with an impressive performance that included shooting 60% from the field and scoring their most points since 1998.
In the wake of the flagged wagering activity, Temple University released a statement acknowledging the reports but provided no further comment on the matter.
The AAC confirmed its status as a client of U.S. Integrity and declined to provide any additional details.
Covers.com reported that the line movement could be attributed to an influx of bets on UAB, which is concerning since it marked a shift from the original betting line set before the game.
The Owls' loss also came after their defeat by Tulsa last Saturday, where they were favored by 5.5 points and lost by five.
We are aware of the media reports regarding last night’s men’s basketball game. We will review the reports thoroughly in accordance with university and NCAA policies. While we can’t comment any further at this time, we take this matter very seriously.
Temple (in a statement)
It's important to note that while unusual wagering activity does not necessarily mean that corruption or wrongdoing has occurred, it serves as a red flag requiring further investigation.
The point spread can shift significantly when sportsbooks receive an unusually high volume of bets on one side, which could potentially impact the outcome of the game.
According to an article penned by Dave Connelly for SportsGrid.com, Temple suffered a stunning defeat against UAB with a 41-19 rebounding disparity, and Connelly expressed astonishment over the late shift in betting lines, which was unexpected given the minimal impact of injury or player availability updates.
The NCAA's Stance
As of March 8, 2024, the NCAA's stance on student-athletes participating in sports betting remains unchanged, with penalties for violation of these rules being severe.
Temple is scheduled to play their regular-season finale on Sunday, March 10, against UTSA and will compete in the AAC tournament next week in Fort Worth, Texas.
The growth of legal sports betting in the United States has led to increased scrutiny over potential wrongdoing, particularly among college-aged individuals.
NCAA President Charlie Baker expressed a desire earlier this year to modify draconian penalties for student-athletes who engage in betting on sports.
Meanwhile, U.S. Integrity continues its efforts to protect the integrity of athletic competitions by providing a tip line that allows athletes, coaches, and staff to report suspicions about gambling activity anonymously to regulators and law enforcement agencies.
The scandal involving Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon last May illustrates the importance of monitoring betting activity in college sports.
"Coaches, student-athletes, and administrators have access to information deemed valuable to those involved in betting. Improperly sharing that information for purposes of sports betting cuts to the heart of the honesty and sportsmanship we expect of our members and is particularly egregious when shared by those who have the ability to influence the outcome of games," this from Vince Nicastro, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of The Big East Conference.