Miami 2009-2010 Basketball Betting Prediction, Odds, Lines,

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Miami 2008-2009 Record: 19-13, 7-9

Miami 2008-2009 Post Season: NIT

Miami Coach: Frank Haith (88-73 at Miami, 88-73 overall)

Miami Projected Starters:

• Malcolm Grant, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
• James Dews, Senior, Guard, 8.2 points per game
• DeQuan Jones, Sophomore, Forward, 2.7 points per game
• Dwayne Collins, Senior, Forward, 10.6 points per game
• Cyrus McGowan, Senior, Forward, 4.6 points per game

Miami Player to Watch: Dwayne Collins

Miami Key Losses: F Brian Asbury, F Jimmy Graham, G Lance Hurdle, G Jack McClinton

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2009-2010 Miami Season Preview

After four postseason appearances over a five-year span, coach Frank Haith begins his sixth season with a lot of new faces and an equal number of questions. The first dilemma is trying to replace 39 points per game, with about half of those contributed by the now­ departed Jack McClinton, the kind of scorer that could keep a team in any game.

The answer begins with senior big man Dwayne Collins, the Hurricanes’ leading rebounder and top returning scorer who pulled his name from the NBA Draft. But it can’t end there, so also figuring in the process is a group of recruits with the ability to contribute right now

Miami Backcourt

Beyond replacing McClinton, the ‘Canes must fill the void created by the loss of speedy point guard Lance Hurdle and rangy wing Brian Asbury, who combined to account for 15.3 points per game.

Senior combo guard James Dews is the lone backcourt returnee. A fine complementary player and defender, his experience will be critical. That’s because Haith will call on four newcomers.

Chief among that group is sophomore point guard Malcolm Grant, a transfer who sat out last season after appearing in 29 games for Villanova as a freshman. Though he averaged just 5.6 points, 1.4 assists and nearly 13 minutes a game for the Wildcats, he also knocked down 46 percent of his 3-point attempts and 84 percent of his free throws.

The most heralded of the signees is freshman Durand Scott, a 6-3 scorer who ranked among the nation’s Top 10 prep shooting guards.

Miami Frontcourt

Collins’ early June decision to pull his name from the NBA Draft was no small coup for the Hurricanes.

Miami has no shortage of big bodies to surround Collins, which should enable him to gravitate to his natural power forward position. Senior Cyrus McGowan and sophomore Julian Gamble, a pair of sturdy 6-9 big men, have shown a willingness to do the same kind of dirty work – setting screens and hitting the boards – that made Jimmy Graham an integral part of the team the past four seasons.

Redshirt freshman Reggie Johnson, another 6-9 body suited for the center position, brings a similar skill set to the squad and should benefit from being in the program for a season.

The fourth member of Miami’s Top 25 signing class, 6-9 forward Donnavan Kirk, hails from the same Detroit Country Day School program that produced Chris Webber and Shane Battier. Kirk’s strength is rebounding and shot-blocking, which Haith has long coveted at the back end of the Hurricanes’ defense.

Offensively, fifth-year senior Adrian Thomas and sophomore DeQuan Jones – a pair of 6-7 small forwards – bring potential punch to the table. Thomas has battled injuries throughout his career, but has shown the ability to score in bunches from the perimeter. Jones is a high-flyer who can take the ball to the basket and finish, but must improve his perimeter game to maximize his sizeable potential.

2009-2010 Miami Predictions

Last season, the Hurricanes ranked among the league’s best teams in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 66.3 points per game. It’s safe to assume that Haith will need similar production this time around.

In his tenure, Haith’s teams have developed a reputation for being a tough out … a scrappy bunch that will find a way to stay in the game.

If Miami is to equal or improve on its NIT-worthy, 19-win campaign last season, its methods cannot change, especially with so many unanswered questions looming at the offensive end and a host of new faces about to receive their indoctrination to the rigors of the ACC. Miami Finish in the ACC: 12th
Miami Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT

Miami Betting Odds

Miami Odds to Win 2010 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +20000
Miami Odds to Win the ACC: +3000

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