EMU basketball games under scrutiny for suspicious betting

David Purdum, ESPN Staff Writer
Jan 17, 2025, 07:36 PM ET
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Betting integrity firms are investigating a Jan. 14, men's college basketball game between Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan, after multiple sportsbooks reported unusual wagering activity.

On Wednesday, sports betting monitor Integrity Compliance 360 distributed an alert to its clients, which includes sportsbooks, state gaming regulators, leagues and NCAA conferences, stating that a bettor had attempted to place "their largest wager to date" on Central Michigan to cover the spread in the first half of its home game against Eastern Michigan.

"While investigating, the operator also found two other high stakes wagers from two accounts in a different jurisdiction, both on Central Michigan 1st Half spread," the alert states. The activity happened in Connecticut and Tennessee, according to a copy of the alert obtained by ESPN.


The alert notes Tuesday's game was the second involving Eastern Michigan that had been flagged by sportsbooks this season. IC360 also sent an alert regarding suspicious betting activity on a Wright State-Eastern Michigan game on Dec. 21.

I didn't see B Loves remarks on the same subject, but not a good look for Eastern Michigan.

The Cats play up there Tuesday night. What will MAC do before game?

I seem to recall that at one point the MAC was thinking of expelling EMU. This was a number of years ago. Does anyone remember what the provocation was then? Will this be the final straw?

I have vague recollection of this as well. Seems it was back in the last century. I think it was not a serious scandal like this could become. I believe it had something to do with eligibility requirements to remain an FBS school. EMU's attendance was weighing the whole conference down.

Correct. Mid 80s. NCAA had attendance requirements to remain I-A; there were 10 MAC teams at the time and whichever team was 6th in attendance was worried they would not make it (conference needed a majority of members to meet standards to qualify the entire conference). EMU was last at the time, so the MAC was moving to oust them so that having five of nine make the standard would keep conference I-A.

Yes, there was a push to oust them until EMU responded with "We'll sue," and the MAC, as usual, backed down.

Probably unlikely anything happens that quickly. Temple was flagged similarly last season, and as far as I can tell, the investigation is still underway.