Reports - New Orleans hoops suspensions over gambling probe - ESPN

NEW ORLEANS — Four New Orleans players who have been suspended since late January are under investigation for possible NCAA violations related to sports gambling, according to multiple reports.

The university's only public statement about the matter has described the reasons for the suspensions as an unspecified violation of team rules.

James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter and Jamond Vincent have not played since the Privateers' loss to Incarnate Word on Jan. 27.

The reasons for their suspensions were first reported in a social media post by college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman.

New Orleans (4-25, 2-16 Southland), has lost all eight games it has played since the suspensions and is scheduled to play next at UT Rio Grande Valley on Saturday.

Multiple gambling industry sources told ESPN's David Purdum that a betting ring under federal investigation also placed bets on at least two New Orleans men's basketball games this season. The Dec. 28 game at McNeese State and the Jan. 11 game against Southeastern Louisiana attracted bets from the sportsbook accounts associated with the betting ring, according to the sources. The point spread moved significantly against the Privateers in three other games this season.

ESPN previously reported that the ring also placed bets on games involving Temple, North Carolina A&T, Eastern Michigan and Mississippi Valley State. The bettors also have ties to two NBA betting cases, including one that led to former Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter being banned from the league.

The revelations at New Orleans come days after Fresno State suspended two of its top men's basketball scorers on Saturday and removed a third player from the team amid reports that the program is the subject of gambling