What is the deadline for NCAA tournament – March Madness picks, pools?

Every Wednesday night prior to the first full day of the NCAA tournament, there is a mad online rush to get March Madness picks in. So, what’s the official deadline?

Most online tournament servers allow you to make your picks right up until the start of game No. 1. Yahoo! is one of the more popular sites that hosts pools and its deadline this year is 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 17.

Of course, if you want to be on the safe side – shoot for noon on St. Patrick’s Day.

The first game on the first full day of the tournament is No. 13 UNC – Wilmington vs. No. 4Duke at 12:15 p.m. on CBS.