Hawaii Investigated for Point Shaving

UPDATE: No criminal investigation being pursued as cops state there is not enough information.  Probably just a desperate gambler who has been losing betting on Hawaii lately.

Here is an interesting tidbit about the University of Hawaii being investigated for point shaving.  The Hawaii Police Department is investigating after the admissions office received an anonymous letter alleging point shaving on November 3rd.  According to my database, Hawaii is 3-7-1 ATS this year including a cover over FCS school Cal-Davis.  Hawaii has went 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games.  Point shaving usually occurs when teams are favored by large amounts and play not to cover the spread.  Although it is possible that players can intentionally lose games as favorites that they were supposed to win.

The most surprising score on Hawaii’s 2011 log is a 40-20 loss at UNLV as -17.5 point favorites.  The ATS margin of 37.5 was Hawaii’s largest loss while it was UNLV’s largest ATS win and one of their two SU wins on the year along with a 3-point home win to Colorado St.  Ironically, the Hawaii-UNLV game took place in Las Vegas, the sports betting capital of the world.

Hawaii is only 1-6 ATS as favorites vs FBS schools this year, winning and covering their opener against Colorado, and only winning two of the next six games they were listed as favorites while covering none.

For years, pro and recreational bettors always floated the idea that the referees in Hawaii home games were always slanted to the home team especially in those end of the year games where BCS schools from the mainland would visit.  However,  bettors who are always yelling “fix” when the play on the field doesn’t seem to go their way, have not mentioned anything about Hawaii games this year.  Those involved in this industry on a daily basis usually hear the grumblings before investigations begin.  More to come.