The proliferation of legal sports betting has led to concerns among some fans that the integrity of games could be compromised. College basketball is now at the center of those concerns after some unusual line movement ahead of the Temple-UAB game.
The Temple men's basketball team odds for the Owls' game against UAB massively shifted Thursday without explanation.
College sports were rocked by a betting scandal in 2023, when Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired after he was accused of making a starting pitcher change while on the phone with someone who was betting against the Crimson Tide.
Speculation surrounding Temple basketball isn't quite as clear at this point, but details are trickling in about the unusual activity that prompted an investigation.
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Here's what you need to know about Temple basketball's betting scandal.
Temple basketball betting scandal, explained
U.S. Integrity, a sports betting watchdog, flagged Thursday's game between Temple and UAB for unusual betting activity, according to Sports Illustrated, after the spread shifted several points without explanation.
UAB began the day favored by 1.5 points on the road, but the line shifted as far as eight points by the afternoon without any notable injuries involved. UAB would win 100-72, cruising past the Owls in Philadelphia.
While the game raised a red flag — it was the second consecutive game in which Temple easily failed to cover the spread — Sports Illustrated reported that U.S. Integrity has been monitoring Temple "for a while."
It's unclear what originally caught the watchdog's attention, but one game has been at the center of speculation. The spread for Temple's game against Memphis on Feb. 8 jumped from 6.5 points to 10.5 points less than four hours before tip-off. That movement came despite zero notable players missing the contest with injury. Memphis failed to cover, however, only winning by seven.
"There's nothing we can find here. Look, I'm not gonna say this is point-shaving...It's weird to see it a second time with Temple."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 8, 2024
Jim Root on the Temple basketball team's line dramatically shifting for the second time this year.pic.twitter.com/nBSlnAUYZ8
On March 8, a second program, Loyola (Maryland), was flagged by the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency for unusual wagering activity. The Greyhounds finished 7–25 on the season. No information regarding the suspicious activity has been released other than the investigation announcement.
“We are aware of the investigation, and based on the scope of this investigation the Agency’s role is limited to providing licensee contact information,” spokesperson Seth Elkin told Sports Illustrated.
For Temple, it's been a difficult season all-around. The Owls sit last in the AAC at 4-13 in conference play and 11-19 overall in year one under coach Adam Fisher. They lost 10 consecutive games from early January through mid-February, but they won three straight before these last two losses.
Temple has one more regular season game on its schedule before the AAC Tournament begins.
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Temple statement on betting allegations
Both Temple and the AAC have addressed the speculation.
Temple basketball director of strategic communications Chad Cooper said the program takes the issue very seriously, explaining, "We are aware of the social media posts regarding last night’s men’s basketball game. We will review the reports thoroughly in accordance with university and NCAA policies."
AAC director of men's basketball communications told Sports Illustrated, "We are aware they flagged it," confirming that U.S. Integrity is involved.
There is no indication Temple's scheduled regular season finale against UTSA on Sunday is in danger, but extra attention will be paid to an Owls team that has otherwise endured an unremarkable season in the AAC.
