Iowa baseball team subject of sports betting investigation

Just four days after the University of Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon for his alleged role in a sports betting scandal that concerned the Crimson Tide's game at LSU on April 28, Action Network is reporting that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is investigating the University of Iowa for a possible violation.

Iowa suspended four players for its weekend series against Ohio State, including infielder Keaton Anthony, one of the team's best hitters; and key relief pitcher Jacob Henderson. According to multiple reports, the team said the suspensions were "due to a potential violation" without providing specifics.

It's unclear exactly what role, if any, the players had in a sports betting scheme. Action Network reported that Iowa spokespersons did not respond when asked if there was a connection between the suspensions and the gaming commission's investigation.

“The commission takes the integrity of gaming in the state seriously and is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide any additional information when able,” Brian Ohorilko, the director of gaming for the state’s commission, told Action Network.

There has not yet been a betting ban placed on Iowa baseball.

The involvement of players would mark a key difference from the situation at Alabama, where multiple reports quote sources saying no players were involved. Bohannon reportedly contacted an associate at the BetMGM Sportsbook in Cincinnati, where the associate placed two large bets on LSU to beat Alabama. The Tigers won that game 8-6 after Alabama scratched its top starting pitcher in the hours before first pitch.

College baseball typically doesn't attract much sports betting, so larger bets tend to stick out. Four states have banned betting on Alabama baseball entirely, and none of the Crimson Tide's games against Vanderbilt last weekend were available in Louisiana on any major sportsbook.