A good $50 play

[gridman]

Playing Hawaii for some loose change. Hawaii on the road for the 3rd time this yr. So far, they are 4-1 ATS on the road and unlike previous years, this team is going against the grain by winning its away games. SMU is the first of a two game trip and offers the best chance of a "W" for Hawaii. And they know it! That's why they came in a day earlier to get acclimated and focused. LA Tech is next and that is the harder of the two. LAT is also a hot team so don't be fooled by Hawaii's 20pt blowout of them at home. LAT has its calender circled and you better believe that they are looking forward to Hawaii's visit. Keep LAT in mind for a Saturday play.

As previously stated, Hawaii is proving to be something special and has tremendous team chemistry. They know how to "share" the ball and have been playing very solid defense. Keep an eye on them (13-5 ATS) as they have made some loose change for me. Not many folks know about this unranked team as they continue to be shunned by the East Coast pollsters. At 19-3, they are really underrated. But, that's OK - this is one Dark Horse that could go on a long ride come March.

Thus, am recommending a play on Hawaii +3 for some loose change $. I usually pick and choose with my plays on Hawaii as I live and die with them and try not to be too biased when it comes time to betting them or against them.

Just thought I'd share this tidbit in the forum.

GM

 

[superbook]

I like them even better at +4 (Camelot).

 

[hello there]

Grid....

I've been following Hawaii.......
among other teams this season. When Hawaii is on the road, who knows what team will show up. My theory.....when Hawaii is on the road, either play the other team or lay off the game. Hawaii had a real difficult time getting past SMU at home. They will have an even more harder time playing at a revenge seeking SMU team, especially now that Hawaii has a target on their back being at the top of the conference. Plus now it's Hawaii that has to travel, and SMU is well rested because their last game was at home. SMU should dominate Hawaii in the paint, and Hancock, future NBA player, will be killing them from the outside. Hawaii needs to stay away from foul trouble(especially with the aggresive Defense they play) and shoot a very high percentage from the field in order to have a chance to win this game. They went to Tulsa and won, so who knows, maybe these guys are for real...I personally don't think they are, so we will see what happens. But guess what, I hate SMU, sooo GOOOO HAWAII!!!!!! Hope they win this one for you.

PS: Were you listening to the Hawaii vs Tulsa game in the Wac tourney last season on the radio???? I was listening to it and when Hawaii was about to win the game and get the automatic bid, one of the Hawaii announcers was yelling, "Hawaii is the Gonzaga of the new millenium!!!!" or something like that. It was sooooo funny, I was cracking up!!!

 

[gridman]

Hello There - Your points are well taken but, as stated earlier, this Hawaii team has a terrific team chemistry and has been playing tremendous team ball. I agree whole heartedly that Hawaii has always had BIG problems on the road but this year they have been winners except for that speed bump in San Jose. I think they went in there with big heads and got them handed to them. A lesson well deserved.

Anyways, I had a hunch they would do good at SMU as they wanted to at least come away with a split on their 2 game road trip. By the way, SMU played its best game of the year at Hawaii and I figured that they would not repeat. Guess it held true. Hope you made some loose change.

This Saturday will probably be a different story as LAT has been hot and has had this revenge game circled on their calender. Hawaii whipped them by 20pts, 81-61. Being that Hawaii goes into Rustin with a win, they just might relax their guard and get creamed by LAT. Depending on the spread, I'd either go with LAT or pass. JMHO. Hope this helps to shed some light on this game.

Unless I hear otherwise, I will try to give my $.02 worth on Hawaii whenever I can. Hopefully, this will help everyone on this forum.
GM

 

[hello there]

Just like most games, Hawaii was dominated in the paint as I expected:

SMU = 68 rebounds <---
Hawaii = 39 rebounds.

SMU had more turnovers, but the key stat, which Hawaii had to have to win this game was they had to shoot a high percentage since they suck at rebounding:

Smu = FG .397, FT .591, 3PT .290
Hawaii = FG .482, FT .792, 3PT .480 <---key stats that got them the win

Hawaii has been winning on the road with excellent shooting and defense, despite their weakness in the paint. Louisiana Tech is one of if not the best rebounding team in the WAC. I see Louis tech totally and utterly dominating Hawaii in the paint, so Hawaii will have to have one of those miraculous shooting nights once again to get the win here. However, I see Hawaii controlling the perimeter game, which I think is Louis tech's weakness.

Check out what Louis tech did to San jose st:

Louis tech 77 San jose st 53
Louis tech = 41 rebounds
San jose st = 23 rebounds
Louis tech: FG .580, FT .933, 3PT .556
This might be a good thing for Hawaii, maybe Louis tech shot themselves out, nah, probably not, San jose st just sucks.

 

[gridman]

Bingo! You're right, Hawaii's rebounding isn't that good but, believe me, it is very decent. They have this big Israeli stud (Soph) but he is young and still learning. But, believe me, he is a presence that affects Hawaii's opponents. By the way, your stats are off - the reboundg was SMU 47 to 32.

As for shooting, Hawaii has been quite awesome this year. So far, they have been quite consistent with their 3 pointers as they are close to 48% for the season. Sometimes I cringe for fear that one day, it will abandon them in a crucial game. Yet, so far, they have continued to surprise me.

BUT, the main ingredient for this team is its team chemistry. They play fantastic team ball and there are no egomaniacs. Did you see the assists category? Hawaii 21 SMU 8. And that's been the story for them this year. Do keep an eye on them as they should continue to surprise (even me) and make the Big Show.
GM