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Some quick thoughts on the NCAA tournament as we prepare for Sweet Sixteen action Thursday:

*My original Final Four was Kansas, Louisville, Miami and New Mexico. I’d like a do-over, and I’d instead like to go with Michigan, Louisville, Indiana and Arizona.

Buzz Williams (AP)

*Best games of the Sweet Sixteen: Kansas/Michigan and Duke/Michigan State. Both feel like Elite Eight matchups, don’t they? I believe any of those four are capable of winning the national championship. Louisville is the favorite (as it should be), but something scares me about Peyton Siva and Russ Smith. In a fullcourt game, they’re awesome. If a team can handle their pressure, though, and limit fastbreak opportunities, the Cardinals sometimes struggle to score in the halfcourt. Siva is a streaky shooter and Russ Smith is, well…you know how he is.

*Best game of the tournament: The obvious choice here is Wichita State/Gonzaga, but I like Marquette/Butler. No, it wasn’t as well-played as the Shockers’ upset over the Zags. It was, however, a classic back-and-forth battle, a physical, dive-on-the-floor affair. You have to hand it to Buzz Williams: He’s been to three consecutive Sweet Sixteens, the longest current streak among Big East teams.

*Speaking of  Buzz, the UCLA job remains open and two top candidates — VCU’s Shaka Smart and Memphis’ Josh Pastner — have decided to stay put. That leaves a dwindling field of qualified candidates. Williams, who has averaged 24.2 wins in his five seasons at Marquette, must be near the top of the list.

Newsflash for UCLA:  Rick Pitino isn’t leaving Louisville, Tom Izzo isn’t leaving Michigan State or Billy Donovan isn’t leaving Florida. Why would they?

I’d imagine that UCLA will have to settle for one of two options (or three if you include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who reportedly expressed interest in the job Wednesday): A former NBA guy or a young college coach. Villanova’s Jay Wright and Washington’s Lorenzo Romar have been mentioned as a candidates.

Now, don’t freak out UConn fans, but I don’t see why UCLA wouldn’t contact Kevin Ollie. While unproven, Ollie looked like a star-in-the-making as a rookie at UConn. He grew up in Los Angeles, and given his NBA background, he’d probably kill the L.A. recruiting scene. He’d make perfect sense.

With that said, there’s no way Ollie leaves. He’s far too loyal to the program and the university. When he says things like “I’ll keep coming back to my office until the keys stop working,” you have to believe him.

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No longer the Big East, the league that UConn calls home will add Tulsa as a full member in 2014, according to an ESPN report.

The old Big East will also make East Carolina a member in all sports. When Tulsa arrives in 2014, nine of the 11 schools will have been former Conference USA members. Navy, the 12th school, is set to join in 2015.

Still in the process of choosing a name, the league is considering titles such as the “America” and the “Metro,” according to CBSSports.com’s Jerry Fowler.

On Tuesday, the soon-to-be-renamed league entered a long-term deal with CBS for basketball coverage. The contract extends through the 2019-20 season and includes up to 12 appearances per year, half of which will be conference games. The league previously agreed to a TV deal with ESPN that goes through 2019-20. It was reported to pay about $20 million per year. Financial terms of the CBS contract were not disclosed.

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UConn junior Tyler Olander was arrested on charges of trespassing early Thursday morning while on spring break in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Olander, 20, was brought in on the charges around 3 a.m. He was released from Bay County Jail Thursday afternoon, according to the records department.

Olander is the second UConn player to be arrested since February. His frontcourt mate, Enosch Wolf, was arrested Feb. 11 by campus police on charges of third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. He has yet to enter a plea, and his next court appearance is scheduled for April 24.

Aside from a 16-point performance against Notre Dame, the 6-foot-9 junior struggled for the majority of the season. Olander, a Mansfield native, averaged just 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game before fracturing his left foot in a late-season loss to South Florida. Surgery on the foot went “flawlessly”, the Hartford Courant’s Dom Amore tweeted Wednesday.

Olander’s case will be heard in court Friday at 4 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

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UConn junior Enosch Wolf, arrested on Feb. 11 in a domestic dispute, had his case continued Wednesday. His next court appearance will be April 24.

Enosch Wolf (AP)

Charged with criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and burglary, Wolf hasn’t yet entered a plea, according to his attorney, Rob Britt. Wolf continues to focus on “compliance with court-ordered counseling and treatment, his classes and upcoming exams,” Britt said.

The 7-foot-1 center was suspended indefinitely following his arrest. He missed UConn’s final eight games.  At the time of the suspension, UConn coach Kevin Ollie said, “We are aware of the situation concerning Enosch and we are taking the matter very seriously. He has been suspended from the team indefinitely, until the legal and university process is finalized.”

Right now, it’s unclear if Wolf will return next season.

If he does, he’ll re-join a frontcourt that includes Tyler Olander and incoming freshmen Kentan Facey and Amida Brimah. Both newcomers possess great length and athleticism, but are considered raw offensively and physically underdeveloped. Wolf could be in line for the starting spot if he’s brought back.

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Well, it’s about time for me to publicly embarrass myself and unveil my bracket.

When it comes to winning your office pool, going with your gut is usually the best approach. Worrying about other people’s brackets and maniacally switching your picks until the last possible minute is usually the worst.

This year, I went with the latter strategy.

Some impressions below:

*Kansas has a brutal road to the Final Four. A potential second round matchup against North Carolina is probably the most difficult draw for any No. 1 seed (although some would argue Gonzaga/Pittsburgh). The Jayhawks may have to go through UNC, Michigan/VCU and then Florida/Georgetown to get to Atlanta. It doesn’t get much tougher than that, which is precisely why I picked the Jayhawks to win the national championship.

*The Big East received eight bids. I believe four will be eliminated in the first round.

*Top Five potential second round matchups

1. Kansas vs. North Carolina

2. Michigan vs. VCU

3. Indiana vs. N.C. State

4. Michigan State vs. Memphis

5. Gonzaga vs. Pittsburgh OR Louisville vs. Missouri

*Top 10 teams most likely to win it all

1. Louisville

2. Indiana

3. Kansas

4. Miami (Fla.)

5. Duke

6. Florida

7. Gonzaga

8. Ohio State

9. Georgetown

10. Wisconsin

*Everyone expects upsets, which is why I went with mostly chalk. But all chalk never happens, so I had to throw in a few surprises. But then again, everyone usually does better than me, so I should have scratched the upsets and played it safe.

The takeway: If I win any money this year, that will be the greatest upset of all…except, of course, N.C. State over Indiana. My picks are below.

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In its final year of existence, the Big East secured eight NCAA berths (and it would have been nine if UConn was eligible).

Here’s my outlook for all eight schools:

FINAL FOUR

Louisville (No. 1, Midwest) — That Big East title game against Syracuse was simply amazing.

Gorgui Dieng (AP)

The Cardinals have all three elements of a national champion: a good point guard (Peyton Siva), an imposing big man (Gorgui Dieng) and a big-time scorer (Russ Smith). Problem is, Smith and Siva have been erratic. You wonder if they’ll hit a scoring drought, thus bouncing Louisville before it reaches Atlanta. It’s possible, but I’m sticking with the Cards to the Final Four.

ELITE EIGHT

Syracuse (No. 4, East) – I like N.C. State over the top-seeded Indiana in the second round, which opens the door for Syracuse to make an Elite Eight run. The Orange must be crushed after the debacle in the Big East title game, but the fact remains: ‘Cuse has the personnel to play with any team in the nation. Its extreme length on defense should cause some problems, especially against non-league foes that aren’t so familiar with the ‘Cuse zone.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Georgetown (No. 2, South) — History doesn’t bode well for the Hoyas, who have lost to a double-digit seed in their past four tournament appearances. Good thing history doesn’t count for much.

Georgetown has a bonafide stud in Otto Porter, perhaps the best wing in the country. The Hoyas have a fairly difficult path to the Final Four, though. I say their run ends against high-scoring Florida in the Sweet Sixteen.

SECOND ROUND

Marquette (No. 3 , East) – The committee rewarded the Golden Eagles with a No. 3 seed (seems a little high) for its 14-4 Big East regular season record. Marquette is solid, but to me, it’s the weakest of any top four seed in this field. I like Butler over the Golden Eagles in Round Two.

ONE AND DONE

Pittsburgh (No. 8, West) – Everyone is looking to bounce Gonzaga early. Pitt, which could draw the top-seeded Zags in the second round, will be a popular Sweet 16 pick. I’m sticking with Wichita State over Pitt in Round One, though. The Shockers are a veteran group — three seniors and a junior comprise their top four scorers — that has the size to bang with the Panthers up front. Pitt doesn’t have enough offensively (it lacks a go-to scorer) for a deep NCAA run.

Villanova (No. 9, South) – Despite wins over Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown and UConn, I’m not crazy about the Wildcats. They get a tough draw in the first round with North Carolina, a talented team that is peaking at the right time. The ‘Heels have too many offensive weapons for ‘Nova.

Notre Dame (No. 7, West) – The Irish generally struggle in the Big Dance, and this year should be no different. Even if Notre Dame gets by Iowa State in the opening round, it’s difficult to envision this group knocking off Ohio State to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

Cincinnati (No. 10, Midwest) – Sorry, but I’m not a fan. The Bearcats looked totally undisciplined late in the season, dropping seven of their past 11 games. Their two leading scorers — Sean Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright — shoot less than 40 percent from the field. A polished Creighton squad awaits in Friday afternoon’s opener.

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As the year progressed, Kevin Ollie spoke of “the story” that UConn was in the process of writing.

Like any great story, this season had it all: drama, adversity, new characters (Ollie himself in the lead role) and the perfect narrative.

Shabazz Napier (AP)

It all started when Ryan Boatright stripped Michigan State’s Keith Appling 20 seconds into the season and took the ball the other way for UConn’s first field goal. Its final basket of the year, at least from the field, came from Boatright again, this one a circus fallaway that arched 20 feet in the air and dropped — somehow — to sink Providence in the season finale.

Here’s a look at everything in between.

THE GAME — UConn’s 79-78 double-overtime loss to Georgetown was hands down the best game in this wild season. Up seven with 2:03 remaining in the second OT, the Huskies surrendered a pair of 3-pointers and, eventually, an Otto Porter transition layup with 9.5 ticks on the Gampel clock. It was an epic finish, and a true showcase for Porter and UConn’s DeAndre Daniels.

Runner-ups — The double-overtime win versus Quinnipiac at the Paradise Jam was a classic, as well. Shabazz Napier scored 23 points in the final 3:24 of regulation and both overtimes to save the Huskies’ from an early in-state loss…Of course, the series finale versus Syracuse — a 66-58 UConn victory — deserves mention. With Jim Calhoun watching from the baseline, Ollie recorded his first victory over a top 10 opponent.

Shabazz Napier and Tyler Olander (AP)

TEAM AWARDS – Napier was among the valuable leaders in the nation. If it weren’t for Porter, he’d be the pick for Big East Player of the Year. Three other players showed marked improvement: Daniels, Omar Calhoun and Phil Nolan. Daniels gets the nod for most improved, though. He looked the part of a top 10 recruit in the final weeks of the season. If he comes back next year — there are rumors of an early entry to the NBA Draft — he could be one of the top stretch-fours in America.

Tyler Olander, meanwhile, was the lone Husky who had a disappointing individual season. Outside of a career-high 16 points against Notre Dame, Olander was hardly effective on offense or on the boards, where UConn most needed him.

SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO? – I won’t pretend to understand the financial/academic situations of Boatright, Napier and Daniels. But from a basketball standpoint, it does not make sense for either Boatright or Daniels to bolt for the NBA Draft. I highly doubt Boatright would be drafted. Daniels would, but he could greatly elevate his stock — and become more prepared to contribute at the NBA level — with another year at UConn. I’ve felt Napier’s stock is near its peak, so I can’t blame him for leaving (if that’s the route he chooses).

“THE ROCK” — R.J. Evans, the lone scholarship senior, was once called “the rock” of the team by Ollie. From everything I saw and heard, Evans is a high-character leader, someone worth retaining on the coaching staff — perhaps in a grad assistant position — if both sides are interested.

OLLIE’S RECOGNITION– Injuries probably cost the Huskies a few wins, but Kevin Ollie still deserves Big East Coach of the Year. No coach has succeeded in the face of such unique obstacles: a seven-month contract, filling the shoes of a Hall of Famer, motivating a team with no postseason, etc. The award will be announced Tuesday, and it looks like John Thompson III of Georgetown is the favorite.

OLLIE’S ISMS – Who doesn’t love a good Ollie-ism? Here are my top five from the year:

1. “As I embark on this journey, I want to say we’re going to take the stairs and not the escalator. The escalator’s for cowards. We’re going to take the stairs, and it’s going to be one….step…at a time.” — Sept. 13

2. “I always talk about time, seed and harvest. The seed goes first. Then you have the time. Then you have a harvest. (Tyler Olander) is not finished yet, but I really enjoyed his harvest today.” — Jan. 12

3. “I tell the kids –  ‘Go the second mile. There’s less traffic on the second mile than the first.’  — Jan. 31

4. “Ten toes in, not five” — Nov. 9

5. “They can ban us from the postseason, they can ban us from the Big East tournament. But they can’t ban us from loving each other.” — Feb. 13