Sports gambling has only been legal in the state of Ohio since Jan. 1, but there’s already a serious situation involving a local college basketball program.

Dayton coach Anthony Grant, who previously coached at Alabama ahead of a stint as an assistant coach role in the NBA, had an extensive opening statement Tuesday night. At issue is gambling-related threats directed toward Dayton players.

Dayton beat Davidson on Tuesday, but Dayton on Friday lost, 63-62, to Virginia Commonwealth, after it led by 14 points at halftime.

“I have to say something because I think it’s just necessary at this point,” Grant said, per Cincinnati.com. “You know, these young men, we’re asking them to sacrifice quite a bit for us to be able to do what we do and enjoy what we enjoy. So I’m just asking all the Flyer fans just to understand that we’re dealing with 18-, 21-, 22-year-olds, and this is about them. This is about them. Alright? So those of us that love the Flyers – which is the vast majority of our fanbase – we appreciate you. Alright? But if this is about anything else that doesn’t relate to what’s in the best interest of the kids, what’s in the best interest of this university and this proud program and this community that loves the Flyers. There’s some laws that have recently been enacted, that really to me – it could really change the landscape of what college sports is all about. And when we have people that make it about themselves and attack kids because of their own agenda, it sickens me. They have families. They don’t deserve that. Mental health is real. So if you’re a Flyer fan, I ask you just to understand what you’re dealing with, with young people. Alright? Take a step back, and reevaluate your priorities. And if you can’t, we don’t need you. We don’t need you. I’ll take questions.”