Temple-UAB basketball game flagged for 'unusual wagering activity'

A Division I men’s college basketball game was flagged for suspicious gambling activity on Thursday.

According to a report from Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated, gambling watchdog company U.S. Integrity sent an alert out to casinos regarding “unusual wagering activity” before Thursday night’s game between UAB and Temple at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pa. 

AAC men’s basketball director of communications Tom Fenstermaker told Forde that conference officials were “aware they flagged it.”

The alert was prompted by significant line movement leading up to the game. UAB started as a 1.5-point favorite over Temple and had shifted to as high as an 8-point favorite by Thursday afternoon at some sportsbooks. 

That would indicate that sportsbooks were receiving an overwhelming number of bets on UAB to cover the spread, many of which likely came from “sharp” — or professional — gamblers.

UAB won the game 100-72 and covered the 8-point spread with ease. Temple issued a statement on Friday, saying the school is taking the matter “very seriously.”

“We are aware of the social media posts regarding last night’s men’s basketball game,” the statement read. “We will review the reports thoroughly in accordance with university and NCAA policies. While we can’t comment any further at this time, we take this matter very seriously.”