A federal investigation into a gambling ring for its role in two NBA betting cases is examining its involvement in unusual wagering activity on at least three men’s college basketball programs, including Eastern Michigan, according to a report from ESPN.
Sportsbook accounts linked to the gambling ring bet on EMU games as well as North Carolina A&T and Mississippi Valley State, according to ESPN.
Some of the accounts that placed bets on the college programs also placed bets on NBA games that involved former Toronto Raptors players Jontay Porter during two games in the 2023-2024 season, as well as Terry Rozier during his time with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, the ESPN report stated.
ESPN reported in January that two EMU basketball games from this season were also under scrutiny by betting integrity firms for unusual wagering activity.
EMU’s games against Wright State on Dec. 21, and against Central Michigan on Jan. 16, were flagged, according to the report.
ESPN reported a bettor attempted to place “their largest wager to date” on CMU to cover the spread in the first half of its home game against EMU.
The first half spread involving the game between EMU and CMU opened at –3.5 and moved to –6.5 an hour before tip-off.
CMU hit a 3-pointer to close the first half with a 39-33 lead. The Chippewas won the game 83-62.
In both instances involving EMU games, the suspicious bets were placed against the Eagles, according to the report.
“We do not know anything further about what may have precipitated the suspicious activity,” EMU said in its statement last month. “We are working with the Mid-American Conference and will provide further details as we learn additional information.”
Greg Steiner, EMU senior associate athletics director told MLive Tuesday morning the school had nothing further to add from its initial statement.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
