NCAA athletes, coaches, and athletic staff members are prohibited from participating in ANY sports wagering activity, AND are prohibited from providing information to individuals involved in any gambling activity (such as telling a friend or classmate that a point guard or pitcher is injured and won’t be completely healthy in an upcoming game).

The NCAA defines a “wager” as a person agreeing to give up an item of value (entry fee, a shirt, a dinner) in exchange for the opportunity to receive another item of value, so even a bet over a meal or a t-shirt would be a violation of NCAA gambling legislation.

With the NCAA “Final Four” tournament bracket being revealed on Selection Sunday, athletes may be tempted to participate in a “pool” to fill out their tournament bracket. 

This is only possible
if they do so for bragging rights alone,
and no “item of value” is involved. 

In fact, I recall a few years ago when a college golfer was suspended because he participated in a “pool” with his father and his father’s golfing buddies.  When the athlete’s father posted on his Facebook page that his son had won the pool, athletic administrators at his school learned of the post, and the athlete was suspended.

Also, just within the last two weeks, five University of Richmond baseball players were suspended for their involvement in a fantasy football league.  They are ineligible for competition until the NCAA reviews and completes the eligibility reinstatement process.