Temple University has announced that it will be conducting a thorough review following reports of suspicious betting activity in a recent men's basketball game involving the Temple Owls. The game in question took place on Thursday night against the UAB Blazers, where the betting line saw a significant surge from the Blazers opening as a two-point favorite to eventually reaching as high as eight points, according to tracking website Covers.com. UAB went on to cover the spread with a dominant 100-72 victory over Temple.
In response to these reports, Temple University issued a statement expressing their awareness of the situation and their commitment to investigating the matter in compliance with university and NCAA policies. The American Athletic Conference, of which Temple is a member, confirmed its affiliation with gambling watchdog company U.S. Integrity but refrained from providing further comments. U.S. Integrity, on the other hand, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
U.S. Integrity, known for its efforts in monitoring and reporting suspicious gambling activities, previously played a role in the investigation of potential misconduct involving a University of Alabama baseball game. Last year, Alabama dismissed its baseball coach amid allegations of providing insider information to a gambler who placed illegal bets against the team.
Temple's men's basketball team, currently under the leadership of coach Adam Fisher, has struggled this season with an 11-19 record. They are set to conclude their regular season with a game against UTSA in San Antonio before heading to the conference tournament in Fort Worth, Texas next week.
The significant shift in the point spread for the Temple-UAB game has raised concerns due to the unusual amount of money wagered on UAB, particularly in a game without major player absences or injuries. The Owls' performance in the game, notably being outrebounded 41-19 by UAB, further adds to the scrutiny surrounding the match.
As the investigation unfolds, Temple University remains focused on upholding integrity within its athletic programs and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The outcome of this review will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the game and any potential implications for the men's basketball team moving forward.
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