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Dayton Holds Out Transfer in Connection With Widespread Sports Gambling Probe

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 21:28 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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A sudden spotlight on Dayton

The saga began last year when an unnamed player who had recently transferred to Dayton was identified as having a connection to a sports‑betting scheme that allegedly involved insider information. The NCAA’s Office of the Associate Committee on Infractions was notified and launched a full‑scale inquiry. The investigation, which is now the most high‑profile case involving sports‑betting and college basketball, has examined not only the player in question but also the network of contacts that may have provided him with illicit information.

In the weeks that followed, Dayton’s coaching staff was forced to re‑evaluate its roster. The school’s compliance office issued an advisory that any player who had a history of sports‑betting violations, even if the violations were not directly linked to the NCAA, could jeopardize the program’s integrity and invite sanctions. That advisory was the impetus behind the decision to hold out transfers.

Holding out to preserve integrity

When the transfer portal opened, Dayton had several highly touted players who were looking to come to the Flyers. The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Archie Miller, decided to withhold offers to those transfers until the NCAA probe was concluded. Miller explained that “the integrity of the program comes first, and we do not want to inadvertently become involved in any violations.” By “holding out,” Dayton essentially put a hold on extending contracts or signing bonuses to those prospects, even though the prospects themselves were not implicated in any wrongdoing.

The policy was not limited to a single player. Dayton also applied a blanket hold on all transfers who had previously been flagged by the NCAA’s infractions database as having possible connections to sports‑betting activities. That includes a player who had played for a mid‑western school a few years earlier and was cited in a separate state‑level investigation for placing bets on games he had played in. Even though that player had never been formally charged by the NCAA, Dayton’s compliance office deemed it prudent to avoid any risk.

The impact on the roster and the program

The decision to hold out has had an immediate effect on the Flyers’ roster depth. Dayton had already lost two seniors in the previous season, and the program had been counting on new talent to fill those gaps. By delaying offers, the coaching staff is now in a precarious position, needing to balance the urgency of bolstering the lineup with the long‑term risk of potential NCAA penalties.

Players who were held out have responded with a mix of frustration and understanding. One transfer, a guard from a Division III school, told reporters that he understood Dayton’s caution but was disappointed that he could not sign. Another, a forward from a rival Mid‑Atlantic conference, expressed concern that the holdout would harm his chances of playing in the NBA. Coaches across the conference have weighed in, noting that Dayton’s cautionary stance may set a precedent for other programs wrestling with similar issues.

Broader implications for college basketball

Dayton’s situation is a bellwether for how the NCAA’s crackdown on sports‑betting will reshape transfer portal dynamics. The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions has made it clear that any player or coach involved in gambling activities, or even those who facilitate such activities, can face significant penalties, including suspensions, probation, or loss of scholarships. As a result, many programs are now instituting internal reviews of prospective transfers and implementing stricter vetting procedures.

This shift also raises questions about the role of the transfer portal itself. While the portal has been hailed for giving athletes greater freedom, it now appears that it may also be a conduit for questionable relationships. The NCAA is reportedly considering new guidelines that would require coaches to disclose any known gambling ties for players before they are placed in the portal. If such guidelines are adopted, the process could become even more bureaucratic, potentially discouraging legitimate transfers.

Looking ahead

The NCAA’s investigation into Dayton’s alleged sports‑betting connections is expected to take several months, with a preliminary report slated for release early next year. Until then, the Flyers will continue to play under a cloud of uncertainty. In the meantime, Coach Miller has emphasized that the team will focus on player development and compliance, while also keeping communication open with the NCAA’s compliance office.

The broader lesson emerging from Dayton’s experience is that college basketball is at a crossroads. As sports betting becomes more prevalent and regulated, the lines between legitimate play and illicit influence grow thinner. Dayton’s decision to hold out transfers reflects a growing awareness among coaches that safeguarding a program’s integrity may sometimes mean sacrificing short‑term competitiveness. Whether that strategy pays off in the long run remains to be seen, but the university’s actions signal a new era in which compliance and competition must go hand in hand.