The bracket for this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament was just released hours ago, but the trash talk has already begun. It's not just the players doing the talking — one notable alum had something to say, as well.
Former Kansas star Paul Pierce found out Sunday that his Jayhawks will be taking on the local favorites, the Boston University Terriers, in the first round of the tournament on Friday. For a second, he felt conflicted, wanting to pick both his alma mater and his current hometown team. Then he changed his mind.
"I'm in a tough predicament," the Celtics' captain said. "Well, no. It's not that tough a predicament. Everybody knows that I'm a Kansas guy. BU's season's going to be over next week.
"I'm sorry, guys. I still love you."
The Terriers are 21-13 this season — they snuck into the tournament by winning the America East Conference, topping Stony Brook in the final on Saturday. The Jawhawks improved to 32-2 by beating Texas on Saturday to win the Big 12.
Kansas is a No. 1 seed taking on a No. 16, and no top-seeded team has ever lost in the first round. Pierce doesn't see his school being the first.
"Definitely not," he said. "I guarantee that we won't lose the first game."
