BREAKING NCAA NEWS: In a potential major development shaking up the college basketball landscape, three officials who officiated the Indiana Hoosiers’ road loss to the USC Trojans on February 3, 2026, have been called in by NCAA investigators amid allegations tied to sports betting activities. Sources close to the probe indicate that the referees are under scrutiny for possible involvement in gambling on the contest or related prop bets, raising serious questions about the integrity of the outcome.

The game, played at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, saw USC pull away for an 81-75 victory, snapping Indiana’s three-game winning streak and dropping the Hoosiers to 15-8 overall and 6-6 in Big Ten play.

The allegations come at a time when the NCAA is grappling with an unprecedented wave of gambling-related scandals in college sports. Just weeks earlier, federal prosecutors unsealed a sweeping indictment charging 26 individuals—including more than a dozen former and current Division I basketball players—in a transnational scheme to fix games through point-shaving and performance manipulation.

That case, which spanned the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons and involved at least 29 NCAA games plus contests in the Chinese Basketball Association, highlighted how bettors allegedly bribed athletes with payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to underperform in specific ways, such as failing to cover spreads or hitting prop lines. While that probe focused primarily on players and fixers, the emergence of referee involvement in this Indiana-USC matter marks a troubling escalation, as officials hold unique power to influence games through calls on fouls, travels, and other discretionary decisions.

Details surrounding the Indiana-USC investigation remain limited at this stage, but initial NCAA statements from the referees reportedly include denials of any wrongdoing, with claims that any betting activity—if it occurred—was unrelated to their on-court duties. One referee allegedly admitted to placing small personal wagers on unrelated college games but insisted no conflict existed for the February 3 matchup.

Investigators are said to be reviewing betting patterns from sportsbooks around the game, including unusual movements in the spread (USC opened as favorites but the line shifted slightly) and heavy action on second-half totals or player props involving key performers like USC’s Alijah Arenas, who scored a career-high 29 points, and Indiana’s leading scorer in the loss.

If substantiated, the implications could be seismic. NCAA rules strictly prohibit gambling on any collegiate contest by officials, coaches, or staff, and violations can lead to suspensions, lifetime bans, or even voided results in extreme cases. Precedents exist for overturned games due to officiating scandals or integrity breaches, though rare in modern college basketball. Should the probe confirm that referee actions materially affected the outcome—perhaps through biased foul calls that favored one side or altered momentum—the NCAA could declare the result null and void, ordering a replay.

Such a decision would dramatically alter conference standings in the ultra-competitive Big Ten, where both Indiana and USC sit at .500 in league play and are battling for NCAA Tournament positioning.

For Indiana, already on the bubble for March Madness, this development offers a glimmer of hope. The Hoosiers entered the USC game riding momentum from key wins, including a dramatic overtime thriller against UCLA and an upset over ranked Purdue. Losing on the road to a fellow bubble team hurt their resume, but a potential nullification and replay could restore that victory opportunity or even flip the result if replayed under stricter monitoring. Coach Mike Woodson’s squad has shown resilience this season despite injuries and inconsistency, with strong home play (11-2) offsetting road struggles.

A replay scenario would likely be scheduled later in the season or during conference tournament adjustments, adding logistical challenges but potentially boosting Indiana’s at-large bid chances.

USC, meanwhile, would face the reverse scenario. The Trojans, led by emerging stars and a solid 17-6 record, celebrated the win as a statement victory in a tough Big Ten slate. Coach Eric Musselman has built the program into a contender since arriving, and voiding this result could dent their momentum and seeding projections. The game itself was competitive throughout, with Indiana trailing by five at halftime before mounting a second-half push that fell short amid late USC runs and key defensive stops.

This referee-focused inquiry unfolds against a broader backdrop of heightened scrutiny on sports betting’s impact on college athletics. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling legalizing sports wagering nationwide, the NCAA has repeatedly warned about integrity risks, pushing for bans on college player prop bets in multiple states. Recent cases have seen permanent ineligibility for athletes caught betting on their own games or sharing insider info, with investigations touching programs from power conferences to mid-majors. The federal indictment earlier this year exposed how sophisticated rings operated across borders, using encrypted communications and intermediaries to coordinate fixes.

Experts note that while player point-shaving grabs headlines, referee misconduct poses an even greater threat to perceived fairness, as a single biased call can swing momentum without obvious traces. Monitoring services and integrity firms now flag suspicious betting lines in real time, which may have triggered this review. The NCAA’s enforcement staff is reportedly coordinating with federal authorities and sportsbook partners to examine transaction data from the game date.

As the investigation continues, both fan bases and the college basketball community await clarity. Indiana supporters are cautiously optimistic that this could turn a disappointing loss into a second chance, while USC faithful hope the result stands as earned. The timing is critical, with Selection Sunday approaching in mid-March and the Big Ten Tournament looming as a potential resume booster or salvager.

No official timeline has been released for resolution, but sources suggest preliminary findings could emerge within weeks given the NCAA’s urgency amid ongoing scandals. In the interim, both teams press forward—Indiana hosts Wisconsin next, while USC continues its conference grind. Whatever the outcome, this case underscores the fragile line between competition and corruption in an era where billions flow through legal betting markets.

The broader message is clear: college sports must adapt swiftly to protect the game. Enhanced education, stricter monitoring, and potential federal reforms on prop bets could help, but each new allegation erodes trust. For now, the Indiana-USC saga serves as the latest reminder that in 2026, the stakes off the court may rival those on it.