CHICAGO -- Isiah Thomas is just like the rest of America, catching up on the NCAA tournament on TV whenever he can. There's just one tiny difference.

The Hall of Fame guard felt no need to fill out a bracket this year.

"I haven't filled out a bracket, no. I just know Indiana is going to win, so I don't waste my time with a bracket," he said with a chuckle.

It's been 32 years since Thomas scored 23 points to lead the Hoosiers to a 63-50 victory over North Carolina in the national championship game. Thomas was the most outstanding player for the 1981 tournament and joined teammates Jim Thomas and Landon Turner on the all-tournament team.

The win over the Tar Heels was his last college game, but he still has fond memories of that March run to the title.

"Just the anticipation of the games," Thomas said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I think you know March is a very special time for all the students everywhere, and not only because of basketball, because all the students look forward to spring break and all the athletes really look forward to March Madness."

Thomas' old school won the regular-season title in the Big Ten and is the top seed in the East Region. The Hoosiers play their first tournament game on Friday in Dayton, Ohio, and the former Detroit Pistons star is clearly ready for tip-off.

Asked about other schools or players to watch for this tournament, Thomas responded: "I only like Indiana and I only root for Indiana."