Hysier Miller dismissed from Virginia Tech due to Temple gambling inquiry, per report

Hysier Miller’s dismissal from Virginia Tech was related to the gambling inquiry at Temple, Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde reported. The Hokies announced Miller’s departure Wednesday, but did not provide a reason.

Forde reported the initial inquiry into Temple at the time when watchdog U.S. Integrity sent an alert to casinos about suspicious wagering activity on Owls basketball games. It was the second such game involving Temple, and the organization had been monitoring Temple for some time when news broke of the inquiry, according to SI.

Temple took on UAB in their penultimate regular season game, and after the Blazers opened as 1.5-point favorites, the spread ballooned to eight or 8.5, depending on the book. UAB went on to win the game 100-72 at Temple, and U.S. Integrity sent an alert to casinos about suspicious activity involving the game.

It was the second straight Temple game to raise questions about suspicious activity, Forde reported at the time. The Owls were 5.5-point favorites in their previous game against Tulsa and lost by five points, although SI said the halftime spread received “some scrutiny.” Tulsa trailed 32-23 at the break in that game – an eventual 72-67 loss.

U.S. Integrity had been monitoring Temple for some time when news broke of the inquiry, according to SI. The company partnered with the American Athletic Conference and other leagues this year to monitor gambling activity, and it was part of the investigation at Alabama last year that led to the firing of head baseball coach Brad Bohannon.

Virginia Tech released a brief statement on Miller’s standing with the program. It said he was “permanently released,” but didn’t give a reason for the move other than an incident before he arrived in Blacksburg.

“Temple transfer point guard Hysier Miller has been permanently released from the Virginia Tech basketball program due to circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech,” the statement read. “There will be no further comment by the university on this matter.”

Miller averaged 15.9 points per game for the Owls last season along with 4.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He spent three years at Temple before arriving at Virginia Tech as the No. 341-ranked player to hit the transfer portal this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.