SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
And now it's time for sports.
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SIMON: And alas, time for another sports gambling scandal. Also, NFL playoffs and the college football championship. Sports reporter Michele Steele joins us. Michele, thanks so much for being with us.
MICHELE STEELE: Good morning, Scott.
SIMON: Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania charged 26 players this week in a widespread college basketball point-shaving scheme - 17 schools. The indictment alleges that a gambling ring fixed dozens of games in the previous two seasons. Sports betting keeps expanding. And can fans at this point - do we have to wonder, is what we're seeing and caring about real?
STEELE: Sure. I mean, that's a real valid point. College basketball already has a tough time getting folks to watch outside of March Madness. So when you have 26 players charged across 17 schools for taking bribes to tank games, including from some big names like DePaul and Georgetown...
SIMON: Yeah.
STEELE: Scott, it's a gut punch. You know, what stinks is that for the players who aren't involved, every time there's a missed layup, you know, you're going to hear a couple cynical fans mutter to each other about it being a, you know, business decision, as opposed to just a missed shot. But we've invited the sportsbook in the arena. Can't be too shocked guys are checking the spread in the hallway.
SIMON: I do want to ask about NFL playoffs. Divisional round, eight teams remaining, including da Bears. Four great matchups today and tomorrow. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills begin this afternoon against the Denver Broncos. What games you looking forward to?
STEELE: Well, I'm in Chicago. So all together now, Scott, da Bears game.
SIMON: (Singing) They're the pride and joy of...
STEELE: Of Illinois.
SIMON: Yeah. Sorry.
STEELE: (Laughter) Yeah. Chicago hosting the Rams tomorrow. The Rams are flying in today. And on the way to their hotel, I saw a billboard, Scott, that says, hey, LA, we dare you to lick the goalpost.
SIMON: Oh. Oh. That's harsh. Yes.
STEELE: Welcome to Chicago. But looking at the games for today, you have to love Bills at Broncos, you know, Josh Allen versus Bo Nix. But the game I'm going to be keeping a close eye on is 49ers-Seahawks. Classic NFC West rivalry.
SIMON: Yeah.
STEELE: And one of these teams, of course, Scott, will be playing - Chicago can dream - the Bears, perhaps in the conference championship. We'll see.
SIMON: College football championship game on Monday. Do the Miami Hurricanes have any chance against the Indiana Hoosiers?
STEELE: (Laughter) I don't know. I think they're going to get a nasty dose of Hoosier hospitality. Indiana, 15-0, looking for the perfect season. And, of course, they're playing in Miami's backyard. But their offense is a machine. They're just good everywhere, Scott.
SIMON: Yeah.
STEELE: Miami's going to have to be mistake free. I think Curt Cignetti, who, by the way, has an amazing name. Coach Cig is what they call him. I think that this guy completes the most remarkable turnaround...
SIMON: Yeah.
STEELE: ...That I've ever seen in college football, just two seasons. And my pick here, I think Indiana's going to be your national champions. And don't forget their quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, from Miami. You couldn't script it...
SIMON: Right.
STEELE: ...Any better.
SIMON: Look, a rather extraordinary scandal is rocking ski jumping. This is right before the Winter Olympics. Two Norwegian coaches and the team's suit technician...
STEELE: Yes.
SIMON: We don't have one on our staff here.
STEELE: Not yet.
SIMON: Not yet - have received an 18-month suspension for what? Let's be careful how we explain this, Michele Steele.
STEELE: Yeah. This is a special one, Scott. Let's just say the Norwegian coaches and their technician that you referred to, caught on video performing some creative tailoring on these ski suits. And, you know, we're not just talking about sewing a button or...
SIMON: Yeah, hardly.
STEELE: ...You know, darning a sock or something, or I don't know. I'm not a sewer myself, so I don't know what the verbiage is. But they were adding illegal, nonelastic stitching - can I say this on NPR? - to the crotch area of the jumping suits.
SIMON: Well, you've said it already.
STEELE: OK. Well...
SIMON: So it's fine. Yes. You can say it. Yes.
STEELE: What this does, it turns the trousers into human flying squirrel suits. Great for distance. Not great for the not-cheating part of the Olympics, Scott.
SIMON: Michele Steele, it's good to have you on the important stories.
STEELE: Yeah. On that note...
SIMON: It is an important story. Exactly.
STEELE: On that note, let's see what Chicago does tomorrow night.
SIMON: All right. So thanks very much. Talk to you soon.
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