Toledo Basketball

Please note players listed in above photo from 1997 were not involved in the Toledo point—shaving scandal.

On Wednesday, federal indictments were handed out to two Detroit—area men, Ghazi Manni and Mitchell Edward Karman, along with several members of the Toledo Rockets basketball and football teams—all in connection to a series of games that were believed to be fixed between 2004 and 2006.

As I went through the court documents, I was disgusted with what I saw. Had I been in on the fix, I actually would have lost money!

The indictment lists the basketball games in question, along with the amount of money being wagered. If one were to follow Manni and Karman's bet strategy, they would finish with a *9-6-2 ATS record, having lost $54,000.

I would want much better than a 9-6-2 record.

Bet plan below:

• Nov. 20/05 42K South Carolina -12 PUSH
• Nov. 27/05 10K SMU +2 LOSS
• Dec. 2/05 10K NIU +8.5 WON
• Dec. 17/05 44K St. Bonaventure +10.5 LOSS
• Dec. 21/05 21K ECU WON
• Jan. 4/06 10K Kent St. -5 WON
• Jan. 7/06 15K Akron -6.5 WON
• Jan. 15/06 17K BGSU +4.5 WON
• Jan. 18/06 21K Miami (OH) -6.5 WON
• Jan. 24/06 40K NIU -5.5 LOSS
• Feb. 1/06 40K WMU -1.5 WON
• Feb. 4/06 20.5K CMU +14 LOSS
• Feb. 7/06 20K Kent St. -1.5 LOSS
• Feb. 18/06  30K Detroit -2.5 LOSS
• Nov. 20/06 25K VCU +1 PUSH
• Dec. 2/06 21K Vandy -4 WON
• Dec. 19/06 21K Detroit +10.5 WON

Even the games in which the Toledo basketball team managed to count properly and not cover the spread were way too close for comfort

Take for instance the February 1, 2006 gameat Western Michigan. Manni and Karman had $40,000 on WMU who were favored by 1.5 points. The game came down to the final 30 seconds with Kasif Payne (indicted by the way) missing two free throws.

I'm sorry but if I fix a game and have $40,000 on it, I want the game to not come down to the final seconds. And actually what disgusts me most about Manni and Karman is not their record ATS as it is above 50 percent, but rather their money management. They were 1-2-1 in games where they bet over $40,000.

Basically you had no advantage from being "in" on these fixed Toledo basketball games. It's the equivalent of buying picks from Brandon Lang.

So remember kids, just because you know a game is going to be fixed, it does not mean that the fix will be carried out properly.

I'm here to help.

Other Notes from games:

—After a 2-1-2 start against the spread (not good for bettors in on the fix), the Toledo basketball team finally got the hang of things by losing the next five against the spread.

—Toledo messed up the last three fixed games of the 2005/06 season by covering the spread, no doubt causing a tense if not awkward offseason.

—Toledo came back and did their job the next season losing two against the spread and having one push. However all these games were close. The Vandy game went into OT and only missed by one point, while they only lossed the Detroit game by half a point.

Source information taken from court documents and lines from covers.com archives of the 2005/06 and 2006/07 basketball seasons.

Author did not bet on any MAC basketball games during the 2005/2006 season. His gambling picks (he's on a roll in MLB)  can be followed fixed—free on twitter.

A golden rule, in my opinion, is that Hollywood should not remake a movie until at least 20 years have passed since the original release. The production is then re-introduced to a new generation, while also using modern advancements in studio technology to arouse interest in the original fan base.

In 1994, Blue Chips was released in theaters. The movie starred Nick Nolte and Shaquille O’Neal, with a storyline focused on the use of improper benefits by college basketball programs to lure the nation’s top recruits. As an additional piece to the sideshow, the screen writers also included a point-shaving scandal.

Today, 15 years later, we have Blue Chips redux, and it comes in the form of a documentary. Instead of actors, we have one of the nation’s top recruits, Renardo Sidney, portraying himself, and likewise, the University of Toledo.

Sidney has finally established his future home. After being rejected by local area schools USC and UCLA, the high school senior committed to Mississippi State University.

Sidney’s story is one surrounded by speculations of improper benefits, and according to the Los Angeles Times, inside sources confirm that his father insinuated that a large amount of money should be provided to the family in exchange for their son’s commitment.

The Sidney family’s ability to live beyond their financial means, relocating repeatedly and easily to residences apparently unaffordable in comparison to their income, instantly led to red flags blowing in the wind. And the new relationship between his father and representatives from a major shoe company, created a nationwide storm that forced America’s top programs to close their windows and doors.

As the Sidney saga plays out, a point shaving scandal is uncovered in Ohio. In the original Blue Chips, a relationship between Happy and Anthony would eventually bring the program down. But just as all remakes look to better the original, one isn’t enough. Six Toledo basketball players are accused of receiving gifts in return, from two Chicago based businessmen, for altering the outcome of games.

In 2009, Blue Chips meets Hoop Dreams in a made for TV spectacular. And remember…The persons and events in this production are NOT fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is NOT coincidental.

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