Before Ohio State trip, Shannon takes a field trip

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/08/2010 -

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -When No. 12 Miami visits No. 2 Ohio State in a long-hyped matchup this Saturday, the Hurricanes know they won't see many friendly faces in the stands.

Maybe that's why Miami coach Randy Shannon surrounded himself with a roomful of backers Tuesday.

Making an unusual addition to his regimented game-week schedule - considering this might be the biggest matchup of his tenure with the Hurricanes - Shannon took a few hours to mingle with and then address 100 lunching boosters, most of whom wore either suits and ties or some sort of Miami-themed attire.

``I think this is unbelievable,'' Shannon told the group. ``I think this is the first time in a long time we've had this kind of support.''

Football coaches tend to have just about every minute plotted during game weeks, especially when it's a game that might end up carrying championship implications.

Shannon isn't really an exception to that rule. So it was surprising to see the coach in a gray suit and blue shirt at the front of a dining room, taking questions for about 30 minutes and spending probably twice that much time simply milling about and shaking a few hands.

Despite his insistence otherwise, maybe Shannon does think meeting Ohio State is a big deal after all.

``That's what we came here for, the big games, the spotlight,'' running back Damien Berry said. ``That's why we're at 'The U,' right? It's most definitely one of the highlight games of the season.''

Shannon was relaxed, laughing, smiling, emotions he doesn't always show when he's at work and hardly ever shows to fans who watch him on gamedays. He didn't make big news, other than revealing quarterback Jacory Harris ``injured'' - a word the coach rarely uses - his thumb against North Carolina last year and dealt with more pain in the last three games of 2009 than the team ever acknowledged.

Other than that, Shannon told the boosters what they wanted to hear: Miami is getting closer to championship form. Shannon didn't make any grandiose predictions for the game, or the season either, but told fans some of the reasons why the Hurricanes feel confident heading into a game that could vault them back into the national spotlight.

``A game like this, you've got to take it in stride,'' Shannon said. ``We've been there before.''

And shortly after he was done, his car pulled up alongside the restaurant, Shannon hopped in and headed back to work in Coral Gables, maybe 45 minutes away with traffic.

When it was over, Shannon was clearly happy he found the time in his schedule for the rare get-together.

``Anytime I can be around what I call my friends, or associates, it's great,'' Shannon said. ``I was saying this earlier: Anytime you can be around somebody who's passionate for the University of Miami, that's what it's all about. And to come out and enjoy things like that, that is my typical day.''

Within reason, of course.

If he stayed and answered every question everyone in the room had for him, Shannon might have missed Friday's flight to Ohio.

``It's no different for me this week,'' Shannon said before his appearance. ``It's just like me going to the grocery store. That's how I have to treat it. Yeah, people know who I am. They speak, I speak back and I keep going. There can't be a deal where I speak for 30 minutes with this person, 15 more with that person and so on. I think people respect that. I've got things I've got to get done.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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