Sports

Beyond March Madness, colleges face sports betting issue

Multiple Contributors Apr 3, 2025, 09:04 AM ET A crime ring travels around the nation, inviting athletes to parties where there’s gambling. The plan is to put the student-athletes in debt and compromise them for future exploitation. involving Jontay Porter, placed bets on at least two New Orleans men’s basketball games this season, ESPN previously […]

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2 months ago

April 4, 2025

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Beyond March Madness, colleges face sports betting issue

Multiple Contributors

Apr 3, 2025, 09:04 AM ET

A crime ring travels around the nation, inviting athletes to parties where there’s gambling. The plan is to put the student-athletes in debt and compromise them for future exploitation.

involving Jontay Porter, placed bets on at least two New Orleans men’s basketball games this season, ESPN previously reported. Four New Orleans players were suspended after a late-January game, reportedly because of an investigation into sports gambling. The Privateers finished the season 4-27.

“For us, it seems to point back to an organized crime ring that’s not just localized in the Southland footprint,” Grant said. “It is going on around the country.”

Bookmakers first began noticing anomalies during the 2023-24 college basketball season and pointed to a UAB-Temple game in March 2024 that raised significant concern. The other incidents allegedly occurred in the low level of Division I, often featuring losing teams. Mississippi Valley State. Eastern Michigan. North Carolina A&T. Investigations are ongoing, and public details are scant about who’s behind the suspicious betting and why certain games and programs were targeted.

There has not been a point-shaving scheme in college basketball that has resulted in a conviction since legalized sports betting began spreading around the U.S. in 2018. The NCAA and its member institutions are concerned that the streak is in jeopardy.

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“It’s just really fragile,” said Mark Hicks, the NCAA’s managing director of enforcement who spearheads the association’s anti-gambling education efforts. “We want to believe that these games are unpredictable, that people don’t have ulterior motives, that they’re playing to win. [But] it’s a fragile system.”

Gambling industry sources say the suspicious bets in several games were on the point spreads and over/unders on first halves. These bets on games involving small-conference teams might seem like a small-time opportunity to the casual gambler or observer. Betting limits on such games are typically a few thousand dollars at sportsbooks, after all.

Gambling syndicates, however, aim to circumvent the limits by working as a team and sharing information and sportsbook accounts, according to sportsbook sources in the U.S. and offshore. One of the men charged in connection with the Porter case had a “network of co-conspirators across the country” and “orchestrated and participated in numerous fraudulent wager schemes” that “resulted in potentially millions of dollars’ worth of illicit profits,” according to a court document filed by federal prosecutors.

The sportsbook sources said bettors with inside information tend to wager in a coordinated fashion rather than place large individual bets that can trigger compliance checks. That’s what occurred with some of the betting against teams under investigation: A surge of action began showing up and didn’t stop, despite the lines moving against them, a major red flag, the sources said.

While the NCAA braces for what comes next, it remains concerned about individual prop bets, which can be easily influenced. Over/under bets on stats such as points or rebounds can be tempting, and seemingly innocent, ways for players “to place bets on themselves,” Hicks said.

All of this makes arguably the most difficult job in college athletics even more difficult. Just how do you get the message out to over 500,000 student-athletes, very few of whom are great players on great teams, that they are just as appealing to scheming gamblers as a future NBA lottery pick? How do you get them to realize that money can be made on mostly anonymous players in mostly ignored games via mostly obscure bets?

“I mean, it’s just unnerving as an athletic director to try and get your fingers around it,” said High Point AD Dan Hauser. “And really the way you can get a handle on it is just to overeducate and overcommunicate.”

The NCAA, conferences and on-campus compliance offices attempt to work in lockstep to provide information to athletes. There are guest speakers, in-person sessions, online programs and so on and so on.

“In terms of educating athletes, we [constantly repeat that] you don’t have to be the star player in order to be at risk. That is something that is a key message point in every delivery session on campus,” Hicks said.

“That’s why they go to Divisions I, II and III and speak to all high-profile athletes and also nonrevenue-generating sports to drive home that message,” Hicks continued. “You know it can affect everyone in every sport regardless your competition level.”

Arizona State.

The now 53-year-old works as an ambassador for Epic Global Solutions, a firm that partners with the NCAA and is focused on educating athletes about gambling harm. He doesn’t mince words when it comes to his current mission — stop someone from becoming the next player to fall into trouble, especially in this era when sports wagering is on every phone and advertisements are on every media site.

“You’re not going to stop gambling, can’t stop it,” Smith told ESPN. “But we can educate them of the consequences.”

Smith remains concerned that young athletes don’t understand the lengths that bad actors will go to to compromise them. Smith said coming out of high school in Dallas, gambling to him was shooting dice and playing cards. He was introduced to sports betting at Arizona State through campus bookmaker Benny Silman and agreed to participate in a point-shaving scheme in exchange for payment. In 1997, Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy for what the feds alleged was point-shaving in four Sun Devils games during the 1993-94 season. He spent one year in prison.

As he tours the country, speaking with current athletes, he senses the same naivete about gambling that he once had.

“There’s a lot of them who are not educated on gambling, so they’ll be nonchalant about some information that gamblers can use, want,” Smith said. “This is some serious business. There are people out there that this is what they get paid to do, to look for situations like this.”

It may all sound like something out of Hollywood, which is a long way from some little campus in some small-time league.

That’s the problem, the NCAA says. And that’s the ongoing challenge.

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DePaul University Blue Demons – Official Athletics Website

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – DePaul track and field opened its stay in College Station with four statement performances on Wednesday, as every Blue Demon improved upon their West Region qualifying mark. The day was highlighted by Alex Bernstein punching his first ticket to the NCAA Championships, while Demetrius Rolle and Darius Brown advanced to their […]

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13 minutes ago

May 30, 2025

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – DePaul track and field opened its stay in College Station with four statement performances on Wednesday, as every Blue Demon improved upon their West Region qualifying mark. The day was highlighted by Alex Bernstein punching his first ticket to the NCAA Championships, while Demetrius Rolle and Darius Brown advanced to their respective quarterfinals set for Friday.

Bernstein delivered a moment to remember in the men’s hammer throw, erupting with a scream after a clutch final attempt sealed his spot at the NCAA Championships. Ranked 20th in the West entering the week, the senior unleashed a 65.36m mark on his third and final throw to place 11th and claim one of 12 qualifying spots. It marks the first national appearance of his career, and he’ll now head to Hayward Field among the top 24 hammer throwers in the country.

Just minutes later, Jaiden Gary stepped into the ring and nearly added another Blue Demon to the Eugene-bound list. The freshman, seeded 49th in the region, shattered expectations with a personal-best 18.28m toss to finish 20th overall, less than half a meter shy of advancing. He placed third among all freshmen in the West and capped a standout debut season with a performance that bodes well for the future of DePaul’s throws unit.

Darius Brown, a seasoned postseason competitor, remained steady in the 110m hurdles. The senior ran a clean 13.48 to finish seventh in the opening round, advancing comfortably to Friday’s quarterfinal.

Demetrius Rolle made the biggest leap of the day. In his NCAA postseason debut, the graduate student surged from a No. 35 seed to finish 17th in the 100m with a time of 10.39, good for a spot in Friday’s quarterfinal round. He and Brown will now each compete in their respective events among 24 athletes vying for a top-12 finish and a berth to Eugene.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, DePaul was without 800m qualifier Dustin Hudak, as he was held out shortly before the race.

NCAA West Preliminary Rounds
E.B. Cushing Stadium – College Station, Texas
Wednesday, May 28

Men’s Hammer Throw: 11. Alex Bernstein – 65.36m (q)
Men’s Shot Put: 20. Jaiden Gary – 18.28m (PB)
Men’s 110m Hurdles: 7. Darius Brown – 13.48Q
Men’s 100m: 17. Demetrius Rolle – 10.39q
Men’s 800m: Dustin Hudak – DNS

UP NEXT: Graduate thrower Kash Allen will compete in the women’s shot put on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CT as the Blue Demons continue their historic run in the NCAA West Prelims.

FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS

For all of the latest on DePaul Cross Country, Track & Field, stay tuned to DePaulBlueDemons.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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Texas A&M Athletics

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M track & field’s Aleksandr Solovev highlighted the opening day of the NCAA West First Round, booking the teams’ first spot to the NCAA Championships Wednesday at E.B. Cushing Stadium. Solovev punched the Aggies’ first ticket to the national championships, taking the top spot of the men’s pole vault with […]

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29 minutes ago

May 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M track & field’s Aleksandr Solovev highlighted the opening day of the NCAA West First Round, booking the teams’ first spot to the NCAA Championships Wednesday at E.B. Cushing Stadium.

Solovev punched the Aggies’ first ticket to the national championships, taking the top spot of the men’s pole vault with a clearance of 5.42m/17-9.25. The junior entered the meet at the third height and cleared a pair of bars to ensure his qualification to Oregon.

The group on the track secured 12 spots to Friday’s quarterfinal rounds, headlined by Ja’Qualon Scott who got the ball rolling on the track as the junior secured his spot to Friday’s meet in the 110m hurdles. The junior won the third heat of the event in 13.24 which stood as the No. 1 time of the first round. Continuing his dominance, Scott added his second top time and quarterfinal spot of the day in the 400m hurdles winning the fifth heat with a time of 49.06. Bryce McCray also ensured his advancement to Friday after finishing second in the first heat with a time of 50.44.

The 1,500m duo of Cooper Cawthra and Luca Santorum continued the momentum for the Aggies, as both advanced to the following round of the event after earning automatic qualification out of their respective sections. Cawthra took second in heat three in 3:44.91, while Santorum placed third in heat two with a time 3:55.98.

Ernest Campbell added his name to the list of advancing Aggies, placing second in heat six with a time of 10.43 to earn an automatic qualification spot.

A&M’s decorated 400m group made their presence felt on the oval, ensuring three spots to Friday’s competition. Auhmad Robinson led the group, winning the opening heat of the event in 45.60 for automatic qualification, while Hossam Eddine Hatib grabbed fourth in 45.79 to claim the fastest timed qualifying spot. Cutler Zamzow was the third of the group to move on, finishing second in heat 5 with a mark of 46.44.

The governance on the track continued in the 800m, as Sam Whitmarsh snatched the third heat and fastest time of the event in 1:46.83. Kimar Farquharson also battled his way to Friday, finishing second in heat five with a mark of 1:47.83.

Mason Mangum secured the last quarterfinal spot of the day in the 200m, crossing the line in 20.85 in a competitive fourth heat.

Next Up
The Aggies return to E.B. Cushing Stadium tomorrow for the second day of the NCAA West First Round.

To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.

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York Sophomore Named To Illinois 1st Team All-State In Water Polo

ELMHURST, IL – York High School sophomore Ethan Allen has wrapped up a remarkable year, achieving historic milestones both in academics and athletics, and earning national recognition in the sport of water polo. Allen, who finished his sophomore year with honor roll, has become the first sophomore in York High School history to be named […]

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39 minutes ago

May 30, 2025

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Allen, who finished his sophomore year with honor roll, has become the first sophomore in York High School history to be named Illinois 1st Team All-State in water polo. His performance this season was nothing short of exceptional – he led the Dukes in scoring with 117 goals and played a critical role in helping the team secure a 3rd place finish at the Illinois State Championship, the highest in the school’s water polo history.

But his success isn’t stopping at the state level. Allen has been selected as one of only 15 boys across the country to represent the United States on Team USA at an international water polo competition in Serbia in August 2025. It’s a prestigious honor that places him among the nation’s most elite young athletes.

This summer Allen will be training in Southern California, traveling to Greece for advanced international training, returning to California to compete in the Junior Olympics with Socal water polo team, and finally joining Team USA in Serbia for the highly anticipated international tournament.

Ethan Allen’s accomplishments at such a young age reflect a combination of talent, discipline, and drive. As he continues to grow on the national and international stage, both the York community and the broader athletic world will be watching closely.

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Sports

No. 11 Women’s Track and Field advances three to NCAA Championships

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – No. 11 Texas Women’s Track and Field advanced three to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on the second day of the NCAA West First Round at E.B. Cushing Stadium. Seven Longhorns later advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals. Sophomore Aaliyah Foster was the first Longhorn to book a trip […]

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49 minutes ago

May 30, 2025

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – No. 11 Texas Women’s Track and Field advanced three to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on the second day of the NCAA West First Round at E.B. Cushing Stadium. Seven Longhorns later advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Sophomore Aaliyah Foster was the first Longhorn to book a trip to the NCAA Championships after finishing seventh in the women’s long jump with a mark of 6.44m (21-1.50). Foster has now reached the NCAA meet all four times (2 indoor, 2 outdoor) in her career for Texas.

Senior Chrystal Herpin and sophomore Nina Ndubuisi both qualified for the NCAA meet in shot put with two top-six finishes. Herpin will compete in her final meet as a Longhorn and second NCAA outdoor meet after finishing fifth with a throw of 17.55m (57-7). Ndubuisi was sixth with a throw of 17.15m (56-3.25) and has reached all four NCAA meets in her young career.

Graduate transfer Elizabeth Stockman advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals in the 1500-meter after qualifying on time at 4:17.25. It was the 14th-fastest time of the afternoon. The top-12 in Saturday’s race will advance to the NCAA Championship meet.

Junior Carleta Bernard also advanced to the quarterfinals after running a season-best time of 11.19 in the women’s 100-meter dash. It was the 13th-fastest time of the day.

Two Longhorns later advanced to the 400-meter hurdles after Akala Garrett posted the fastest qualifying time in 55.87 for the 19th-fastest time in UT history. Freshman Mackenzie Collins also advanced with the ninth-fastest time of the day in 57.34.

Texas later qualified three in the 200-meters first round led by junior Kenondra Davis who finished in 22.87 and freshman Holly Okuku who posted a time of 22.88. Bernard qualified for her second individual event crossing the line in 23.09.

RESULTS:

Akala Garrett – 1^st – 400mH – 55.87 Q

Chrystal Herpin – 5^th – Shot Put – 17.55m (57-7)

Nina Ndubuisi – 6^th – Shot Put – 17.15m (56-3.25)

Aaliyah Foster – 7^th – Long Jump – 6.44m (21-1.50)

Kenondra Davis – 7^th – 200m – 22.87 Q

Mackenzie Collins – 9^th – 400mH – 57.34 Q

Holly Okuku – 9^th – 200m – 22.88 Q

Carleta Bernard – 12^th – 200m – 23.09 Q

Carleta Bernard – 13^th – 100m – 11.19 Q

Eva Jess – 13th – 10,000m – 34:36.21

Elizabeth Stockman – 14^th – 1500m – 4:17.25 q

Amity Ebarb – 29^th – 800m – 2:07.39

Nita Koom-Dadzie – 41^st – 200m – 24.07

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Havea, Bosko Advance to NCAA Outdoor Championships

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Arizona women’s track and field thrower Tapenisa Havea and long jumper Jenica Bosko advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Day 2 of the West First Round. Tapenisa Havea (shot put) and Jenica Bosko (long jump) advance to Eugene while Taylen Wise (100m […]

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1 hour ago

May 30, 2025

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Arizona women’s track and field thrower Tapenisa Havea and long jumper Jenica Bosko advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Day 2 of the West First Round.

Tapenisa Havea (shot put) and Jenica Bosko (long jump) advance to Eugene while Taylen Wise (100m hurdles), Jade Brown (100m and 200m), McKenna Watson (100m and 200m), Ava Simms (400m), and Antonia Sanchez Nunez (400m hurdles) qualified for the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Havea grabbed the 12th and final qualifying spot for the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a throw of 16.25m (53-3 ¾) in the shot put. It marks her first appearance at the Outdoor Championships since 2023, when she qualified in the discus.

Bosko leaped 6.42m (21-3/4), marking a season best, to finish 10th in the long jump and earn a berth in the NCAA Championships. It will be the second straight year that Bosko has competed in Eugene, after appearing in the long jump at the US Olympic Trials in 2024. This marks her first time advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Brown’s time in the 100m of 11.05 (.046) was an all-conditions school record as she just edged Shawnti Jackson, 11.05 (0.49) (Arkansas) for first place in the heat. Brown broke her program record in the event (11.27) set on March 8, 2025, in Tucson.

Sanchez Nunez finished third in her heat (58.10) of the 400m hurdles to gain automatic qualification into the quarterfinals of the event on Saturday at 5:25 p.m. MST. Sanchez Nunez will be in lane three of heat three for the competition.

Advancing to Quarterfinals on Saturday

Taylen Wise – 100m Hurdles: 15th (13.22)

Jade Brown – 100m: 3rd (program record: 11.05) | 200m: 22nd (23.30)

McKenna Watson – 100m: 23rd (11.33) | 200m: 19th (23.27)

Ava Simms – 400m: 18th (52.47)

Antonia Sanchez Nunez – 400m Hurdles: 19th (58.10)

Other finishes

Erin Tack – Javelin: 14th (51.31m/168-4)

Jathiyah Muhammad – Pole Vault: 17th (PB: 4.32m/14-2)

Mackenna Orie – Shot Put: 21st (15.80m/51-10)

Keilee Hall – 400m Hurdles: 28th (58.95)

Lauryn Love – Shot Put: 37th (14.70m/48-2 ¾)

Brooke Nordman – 400m Hurdles: 41st (1:00.65)

The Arizona women’s track and field team will be back in action on Saturday, with five athletes looking to earn their way to the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

The men’s track and field qualifiers will be back on the track tomorrow with the discus starting Day 3 at 11 a.m. MST.

FRIDAY, MAY 30 (DAY THREE) (WATCH LIVE)

Men’s Discus (11 a.m.) – Youssef Koudssi, Zach Landa, Sam Hala’ufia

Men’s 4×100 Relay (3 p.m.) – James Onanubosi, Brian Limage, Isaac Davis, Tyson Tippett

Men’s 110m Hurdles (4:15 p.m.) – Zach Extine

Men’s 100 Meters (4:35 p.m.) – Tyson Tippett

Men’s 400 Hurdles (5:25 p.m.) – Yan Vazquez

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS!

Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Facebook (ArizonaTrack), X (@ArizonaTrack), Instagram (@arizonatrack), and YouTube (@arizonawildcatstrack).

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Denver Volleyball Signs Maddie Winkler Ahead of 2025 Campaign

Story Links DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program has signed freshman Maddie Winkler to its 2025 roster, head coach Megan Pendergast announced on Thursday. “Maddie Winkler is one of the most competitive and high-achieving athletes we’ve had the chance to recruit,” Pendergast said. “Her determination, work ethic […]

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2 hours ago

May 30, 2025

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DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program has signed freshman Maddie Winkler to its 2025 roster, head coach Megan Pendergast announced on Thursday.

“Maddie Winkler is one of the most competitive and high-achieving athletes we’ve had the chance to recruit,” Pendergast said. “Her determination, work ethic and relentless drive to improve make every team she’s on better. Every time I watch Maddie, she looks sharper, more dynamic and more confident. We are absolutely fired up to add her to our roster and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in our gym and in our program.”

Maddie Winkler – Keller, Texas – Keller H.S – Libero – 5-5
BEFORE DENVER:
2024 Second Team All-District…2024 Academic All-State…2023 Varsity Newcomer of the Year…2023 Second Team All-District…2023 Academic All-District…2022 AVCA Phenom Watch List…2022 6A State Semifinalist…2022 GJNC Open Bronze Medalist…2021 GJNC Open Silver Medalist…2019 GJNC American Bronze Medalist…Played her club volleyball for Texas Advantage Club.

PERSONAL:
Chose the University of Denver because of the welcoming atmosphere and supportive staff, its strong academics and its great location…Hopes to pursue a career in sports medicine or orthopedics after graduation…Also enjoys baking, cooking and spending time with friends and family.

Season tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver’s NCAA Division I sports.

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