By all accounts, this has been a banner season for basketball in the Southland Conference.

The league has moved up seven spots in conference ranking thanks to an influx of young coaches, quality transfers and increased investment by university officials. However, a dark cloud now hangs over one of the league’s schools.

On Wednesday, NOLA.com reported the University of New Orleans and the NCAA were investigating unspecified improprieties in the school’s men’s basketball program, UNO Athletic Director Vince Granito confirmed. Earlier in the day, TheFieldof68.com, which covers college basketball, reported that four UNO players were suspended “due to an investigation into sports gambling.”

Sources within the SLC confirmed the report to the American Press.

According to NOLA.com, the school suspended JamesWhite, Dae Dae Hunter, Jah Short and Jamond Vincent after the Privateers’ 74-58 loss to Incarnate Word on Jan. 27.

“We suspended the four players at that time for violation of team rules that needed to be investigated,” Granito said. “Nothing has changed on that. They’ve been out since then, and the investigation is still ongoing.”

White was leading the conference in scoring per game at 19.2 points when he was suspended. None of the four players played when McNeese State beat UNO in New Orleans on Feb. 15.

All players took part in the first meeting between the teams on Dec. 28 in Lake Charles. McNeese won that game 79-51 to open Southland play. The four players scored 31 points combined against the Cowboys, led by White’s 20 points and 10 rebounds.

McNeese head coach Will Wade and Athletic Director Heath Schroyer declined to comment specifically about UNO. However, both said they were not informed that any games involving McNeese are under investigation.

“There are a bunch of schools that are dealing with this issue around the country,” Schroyer said. “This is not just a New Orleans issue.”

On Tuesday, Sports Illustrated reported on widespread gambling in pro and college basketball, which the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York is investigating.

The report called this investigation “one of the most pervasive point-shaving scandals in North American sports history.”

SLC Commissioner Chris Grant said he was aware of the investigation.

“It is independent of the conference,” Grant said. “The NCAA and school are in charge.”

Grant added that his concern lies with the student-athletes and the university.

The timing is bad for the conference. The league is preparing to play its postseason tournament in two weeks in Lake Charles. McNeese is the top seed, having won the regular-season title. However, while the league continues to thrive, UNO’s struggles seem to be increasing. Already strapped by major financial issues, the school’s athletic future remains in question.

In recent years there has been talk of UNO moving down to Division III. The students also voted down a failed attempt to start football.

The Southland consists of 12 schools, 10 of which play football. If something were to happen concerning UNO, the SLC would not likely need to add another member immediately.

There is a feeling among conference ADs that 11 would be just fine.

It is not clear how the investigation will play out in New Orleans and throughout college basketball. This is a bump in the road for the league, which has had smooth sailing this winter.

Sports enthusiasts, especially in Southwest Louisiana, hope the pothole doesn’t turn into a sinkhole swallowing up more college teams the deeper the investigation probes.

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Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press. Email him at jimgazzolo@yahoo.com