Tuesday was spent, per usual, writing the weekly version of this column for Point Spread Weekly. This week, I mostly explained what’s it’s like to write that weekly column and this daily version (note: did you know that I’ve written “Tuley’s Takes Today” every morning since Sept, 13, 2021 (171 straight days)? You can find that article here.
It was written as a thank-you to my loyal readers and also meant as an open letter to those who might be new to my column, explaining how I’ve always felt sports betting was a legitimate beat and how the calendar pretty much dictates what I write about from week to week.
It also gave me the excuse to do a little humble-brag about our recent hot streak in this daily column to try to attract VSiN subscribers who might just check out PSW. I was afraid I might jinx myself, but we improved to 15-1-1 ATS the past 17 days starting with the Super Bowl as Wisconsin (+ 3) beat Purdue 70-67. As a bonus, I also his my secondary best bet again on the Devils-Blue Jackets First-Period Over 1.5 -140 as the Devils scored just 54 seconds into the contest and the Blue Jackets scored 13:05 into the game to get us the easy win, and added another goal with 2:25 left in the period to also cash for those who had to go Over 2 goals. The Over 1.5 closed around -195 at the books dealing that number, but as my VSiN colleague Pauly Howard always says: “You don’t pay the juice if you win.” The Devils are the gift that keeps on giving as they’re 24-5 with 1P Over 1.5 in their last 29 games and also 25-3 with the “will there be a score in the first 10 minutes” prop for those that have been betting that.
Let’s get to the rest of the recaps of Tuesday’s action and then try to continue our winning ways with our best bets on Wednesday’s betting cards.
Tuesday’s recaps
NBA: Faves went 5-1 SU on Tuesday with the only upset by the Timberwolves (+ 4 in 129-114 home win vs. Warriors, but faves went only 2-2-2 ATS with the Nets (+ 8) covering in 109-108 loss at the Raptors, plus pushes on the Mavericks (-5 in 109-104 win at Lakers) and Wizards (-3 in 116-113 win vs. Pistons). Unders went 4-2.
CBB: No. 10 Wisconsin (+ 3) upset No. 8 Purdue 70-67 to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. Also in the Big Ten, Nebraska (+ 15, + 850 ML) shocked No. 23 Ohio St. 78-70. In the Big 12, TCU ( 6) upset No. 6 Kansas 74-64 while No. 11 Villanova (-10) beat No. 8 Providence 76-74 in the Big East, but didn’t cover. In the SEC, No. 7 Kentucky (-16) beat Mississippi 83-72 and No. 13 Tennessee (-16) beat Georgia 75-68, but neither covered. No. 4 Duke (-14.5) routed Pittburgh 86-56, No. 14 Houston (-15) beat Cincinnati 71-53 and No. 2 Arizona (-4.5) beat No. 16 USC 91-71 with all 3 covering.
NHL: Faves went 7-2 Tuesday with the only upsets by the Red Wings (+ 179 in 4-3 OT win vs. Hurricanes) and Ducks ( 155 in 4-3 win vs. Bruins). Of the 7 winning faves, the Blue Jackets (-115 in 4-3 win vs. Devils) were only one to not cover -1.5 puck line. Overs went 6-3.
Wednesday’s Takes
Auburn-Mississippi State Under 140.5: We’ve been relying mostly on NBA and CBB sides during this hot run, and I have a strong lean on Mississippi State + 3.5 as a home underdog with added motivation of being on the wrong side of the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. However, that line is a little too light for my liking, but the Bulldogs do play better at home, so I’m expecting them to keep this closer than expected in a low-scoring game. The total is 140.5 and I’m confident it will stay Under as long as it doesn’t turn into a foul-fest or go to overtime.
Parlay on Sabres-Maple Leafs First-Period Over 1.5 -165/Predators-Kraken First-Period Over 1.5 -125: The hottest 1P Over teams are off on Wednesday night (it’s been strange how the schedule has fallen this way with the teams grouped this way), so this is just for those who are addicted to “NHL FIrst Period Crack.” The Maple Leafs are 32-21 with 1P Overs and the Sabres are 29-25 for a combined 61-46, while the Kraken are on an 8-0 run and now 32-23 while the Predators are 28-25 for a combined 60-48).
Good luck today (and every day!).