AUBURN HILLS -- Detroit Pistons players take pride in following their former college teams during the NCAA tournament.

Tracy McGrady, who went straight from high school to the NBA, has a rooting interest even though he never played college basketball.

“If I was going to go to college, I was going to go to Kentucky,” he said. “So that's the team I root for throughout this time of the season.”

McGrady said not participating in the tournament is one thing he “regrets” about not playing collegiately. But when someone asked if he ever truly regretted skipping college for the NBA, McGrady got to the point quickly.

“It was either college basketball and the classroom or millions of dollars,” McGrady said. “You pick which one you would take.”

Kuester supports Oakland University

Pistons coach John Kuester played collegiately for North Carolina and will be rooting hard for his alma mater. But he will also be supporting Oakland University, the Summit League champion and a 13th seed in the West.

Oakland, coached by Greg Kampe, is scheduled to open tournament play Friday against Texas.

“Greg has done a great job with Oakland,” Kuester said. “I'm very impressed with their team. ... They've really risen to the occasion.”