All eyes are on Hawkeyes baseball.
Days after Alabama fired its baseball coach in connection with a sports betting probe, Iowa is now under the microscope for potential violations as well, according to a new report.
According to Darren Rovell of the Action Network, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has launched an investigation into the program after Iowa several players were "withheld from competition" over the weekend.
Iowa released a short statement prior to the players' absence from a series against Ohio State, but has no commented on the investigation. The NCAA has also declined to comment.
MORE: Why Alabama fired its baseball head coach — 'Suspicious' bets at center of scandal
Here's the latest on the gambling inquiry, and what's happening with Hawkeyes baseball:
Iowa baseball player suspensions
Tuesday, May 9
Director of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission Brian Ohorilko says that there's no suspicious wagering activity involving Iowa or Iowa State games, with no evidence of match-fixing or point-shaving.
Brian Ohorilko, head of Iowa Racing and Gaming :
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) May 9, 2023
"No information of any suspicious wagering activity involving Iowa or Iowa State games. Hasn't been anything to raise integrity doubts. No evidence at this time of match-fixing or point-shaving."
"We (Iowa Racing and Gaming…
Via NBC13's Keith Murphy:
"No information of any suspicious wagering activity involving Iowa or Iowa State games. Hasn't been anything to raise integrity doubts. No evidence at this time of match-fixing or point-shaving."
"We (Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission) review wagers that come in and how suspicious they are. We have had integrity alerts in the past. LSU vs Alabama baseball last week was one. We've had UFC integrity alerts. We have had none for Iowa or Iowa State markets (games)."
"There are no Iowa or Iowa State athletic events scheduled to be banned or halted."
Monday, May 8
It's unclear why Iowa baseball players were suspended, but the University released a statement in the wake of the players' absence on Friday night:
Iowa athletics released this statement last night following the game against Ohio State which reads “due to a potential NCAA violation, we withheld some student athletes from competition.”
— Jack Delperdang (@jack_delperdang) May 7, 2023
Keaton Anthony has missed the first two games of this series. https://t.co/ybl01mhTEh pic.twitter.com/FoaIfIgUTu
"Due to a potential NCAA violation, we withheld some student-athletes from competition. We will have no additional comments as this is an ongoing investigation," the statement read.
Darren Rovell of the Action Network reported that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is investigating the program after the players were withheld, potentially signaling some kind of sports betting or gambling impropriety among its players or the program.
Standout Keaton Anthony headlines a list of four players who were not available for the team during their Ohio State series this past weekend. Iowa (30-12) took two of three games from the Buckeyes.
Notable Iowa Baseball players that were not present during the Ohio State series
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) May 8, 2023
Keaton Anthony
Jacob Henderson
Ben Tallman
Gehrig Christensen
The NCAA has not offered comment on the situation, citing the ongoing investigation as reason.
The NCAA will not comment. "Due to confidentiality rules put in place by NCAA member schools, the NCAA does not comment on current, pending or potential investigations."
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzNYC) May 8, 2023
"Due to confidentiality rules put in place by NCAA member schools, the NCAA does not comment on current, pending or potential investigations," the NCAA said in a statement.
Sports betting on Hawkeyes baseball in Iowa markets has not been halted, with regulators allowing betting to continue as the investigation continues.
This story will be updated.
