Iowa Baseball Under Investigation For Possible Betting Infractions

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is investigating possible sports betting infractions at the University of Iowa, according to a report Monday from Action Network. The university’s baseball team withheld several players from its weekend series against Ohio State, including Keaton Anthony, the Big Ten Conference’s leader in batting average during league play and an everyday starter prior to this weekend. 

Iowa’s athletic department issued a vague statement on the unusual lineup decisions over the weekend. The Hawkeyes are battling for an NCAA Tournament berth, needing a strong finish to the season to be in line for an at-large spot. 

“Due to a potential NCAA violation, we withheld some student-athletes from competition,” an Iowa spokesperson said. “We will have no additional comments as this is an ongoing investigation.” 

Another college betting controversy

Last week, a sports betting controversy involving the University of Alabama’s baseball team drew national attention. Head coach Brad Bohannon was fired amid reports that he he was in communication with a bettor who placed a large wager on an Alabama baseball game at an Ohio casino. 

Specifics related to the extent of Bohannon’s involvement have yet to be uncovered, but Alabama gathered enough information to move away from the head coach.

As for the Iowa situation, it’s unclear what occurred with Iowa athletes and wagering. The NCAA has a zero-tolerance policy for sports betting, which means not only are players prohibited from betting on their own sports or teams, but they can’t wager on any sporting event. 

“If you put something at risk (such as cash, entry fee, dinner or other tangible item) on any amateur and/or professional sporting event with a chance to win something in return, you violate NCAA sports wagering rules,” the NCAA website outlines. 

Notable Iowa Baseball players that were not present during the Ohio State series

Keaton Anthony
Jacob Henderson
Ben Tallman
Gehrig Christensen

— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) May 8, 2023

Virginia Tech linebacker Alan Tisdale was suspended six games during the 2022 college football season for self-reporting bets he placed on NBA playoff games the summer before the season. Several professional leagues, including MLB, allow players to wager on sports other than the one they play. 

The NCAA declined to provide additional details into the Iowa investigation. 

“Due to confidentiality rules put in place by NCAA member schools, the NCAA does not comment on current, pending or potential investigations,” an NCAA spokesperson said.