'In trouble': Kevin McNamara talks college hoops, illegal gambling in sports

McNamara is a longtime sports journalist who covers college and professional sports. He focuses heavily on college basketball, which kicks off Monday for programs across Rhode Island.

McNamara, who also runs the website KevinMcSports.com, said he's unsure whether Providence College, the University of Rhode Island or Bryant University will make the NCAA Tournament this season.

But he said the Friars may have a competitive advantage because the program has been spending big money under new rules that allow colleges to pay student-athletes up to a combined $20 million.

"At Providence, it's men's and women's basketball, hockey, some cross-country teams," he said. "But the focus is certainly men's basketball. No one knows how much Providence is investing in their men's basketball team this year. But it's new, and I can tell you, it's a lot of money."

McNamara also discussed last week's illegal gambling scandal involving the NBA and the New York Mafia. The FBI indicted big-name players and coaches, alleging game-rigging and coordination with gambling operators.

The scandal has fueled skepticism of sports betting and how it's affecting the integrity of competitive athletics. McNamara said it's something college sports need to examine more closely, as there have already been issues bubbling up at some schools across the country.

"Those are kids who did not or do not make much money, beyond their scholarship," he said. "They've gotten in trouble with sports gambling because it's legal and it's everywhere. And you think about how many people they come in contact with on a given day on campus, in their communities who say, 'Hey, you want to make an easy $5,000 to $10,000?'"

Later in the show, Dan and Eli talked about the "Stories We Wish We Wrote." They include (not all mentioned on-air):

Dan’s picks

• Why Does Rhode Island Have Such a Full House? by Ellen Liberman, Rhode Island Monthly.
• Massive Schools Plan Proves Hard to Pin Down by Jonathan Howard, The Providence Eye.

Eli’s picks

• The Great New Bedford election ‘plunking’ controversy by Jack Spillane, The New Bedford Light
• Police chief clarifies speed camera hours by Jon Baker, Blackstone Valley's Call & Times.

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

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It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.