March is here, and Madness is soon to follow

Huge empty-netter from Florida last night to cash us on that over, but unfortunately Auston Matthews and Toronto couldn't find goal-scoring success at home. We turn now to the college hardwood, and by the way, get used to that as it is most definitely March now.

Conference tournaments are just about to start, and we have a few big conference matchups tonight worth digging into.

Marching on with two big conference clashes

Massive game in the Big Ten

The game of the night might belong to the two top Big Ten teams squaring off. Purdue and Illinois are both inside the top-12 in the national rankings and KenPom, and both sides could very well be meeting again in the Big Ten title game in just over a week.

While we lean Illinois' way at home, we just have a feeling the better team to back is the Boilermakers. Purdue has won 12 of its past 13 games, and as the Boilermakers inch closer to the tournament, we have a feeling that loss to a 16-seed from last year is fresh in their heads. Similarly to how Virginia went on to win it all the season after their historic loss, Purdue seems poised for a deep run, and that momentum starts now with a strong showing against a conference rival on the road.

Purdue beat Illinois by five at the beginning of January, and has the edge in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

Betting: Purdue +2.5

Grab the Gators in this SEC showdown

A popular look today that we'll happily join is Florida to cover and win at home against No. 16 Alabama. The Gators are 13-1 at home this season and seem to own a massive advantage in the rebounding department, which could be the difference. 

Revenge is the key to know here. Alabama escaped with an OT win two weeks in Tuscaloosa, and Florida probably should have had that game. The Gators know that, and now in their own barn, it seems only right they get on the win column against this Crimson Tide squad.

We like the athletes on the Florida end to do enough to make Alabama uncomfortable, so give us the Gators to win with room to spare.

Betting: Florida -1.5

In the news ...

QB movement feeling imminent with Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins — NFL news owns the day here, as rumors and reports continue to trickle out with free agency fast approaching. In Denver, the Broncos have informed Russell Wilson he will be released once the new NFL year begins on March 13, putting a bow on one of the worst trades we can remember in NFL history. Sportsbooks took down the market for a player's next team, but last we saw, it was Pittsburgh favored to land Wilson this coming year. Elsewhere, rumors are whirling that Kirk Cousins is preparing to move to Atlanta, which would lend itself to the belief that he is going to sign with the Falcons. A move there has some repercussions, as it was rumored that the Falcons were going to trade for Justin Fields. If Fields doesn't go there, then where? We have a feeling these dominoes and musical chairs are only just getting started, so buckle up.

Jason Kelce retires after 13 years in the NFL — Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce called it a career yesterday in a tearful press conference. Kelce has made six All-Pro teams, seven Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl in 2018. He should have a strong case to be a first ballot Hall of Famer in five years, and now Philly will turn to 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens to take over for Kelce in what is a massive season for the team to turn it around after their late-season collapse. Philly is +2000 to win the Super Bowl in 2025, the third-best odds in the NFC.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.