KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas coach Bill Self was chatting this week with someone who brought up the possibility that some unfortunate team with a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament might have to play its second game against Oklahoma State, which was once considered a Final Four contender. "I said, Just think if that happens in your conference tournament," Self responded. After winning their 10th straight regular-season title, the Jayhawks earned the top seed when the Big 12 tournament begins Wednesday night at the Sprint Center. But the reward is a first-round bye and a potential matchup with the eighth-seeded Cowboys in Thursdays quarterfinals; the two teams split their two meetings this year. Oklahoma State plays No. 9 seed Texas Tech in the first game Wednesday night. Seventh-seeded Baylor takes on No. 10 seed TCU in the nightcap of a double-header. "I think weve always had very competitive Big 12 tournaments," Self said, "but I dont know if I can ever remember where if theres a final between whatever seeds there are, it would be absolutely not a major surprise to anybody. Its going to be a pretty special weekend." The Big 12 has been the runaway leader in conference RPI all season, and some believe that it could land seven or eight teams in the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday. Just consider the games that will be played Thursday: Along with Kansas getting Oklahoma State or Texas Tech, second-seeded Oklahoma will play the Baylor-TCU winner, No. 3 seed Texas will play No. 6 seed West Virginia, and No. 4 seed Iowa State will play No. 5 seed Kansas State. "This league," Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith said, "is by far the toughest in the country." Thats why the Jayhawks still believe they can earn a No. 1 seed to the NCAA tournament, despite their 23-8 record. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State (20-11) is teetering around the bubble, and a win over Texas Tech might be enough to push the Cowboys firmly into the dance. Knocking off the Jayhawks would certainly do the trick. "Were just trying to worry about the next game," Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said, "and worrying about all that other stuff doesnt really do you any good." In that case, here are five things that fans SHOULD worry about: BUBBLE WATCH: Oklahoma State isnt the only team on the NCAA tournament bubble. Baylor (21-10) would feel much better with a win or two, while West Virginia (17-14) hopes the momentum it picked up by knocking off Kansas last weekend will propel it to enough wins in Kansas City to make a case on Selection Sunday. "I think if we won two wed be in great shape," said Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins, "but I think if we can win that first one that we would be pretty good." CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE: Kansas is the only current member to have won the Big 12 tournament since 2005 -- twice since then, Missouri won the title. In fact, Oklahoma and Iowa Stare are the only current schools besides the Jayhawks and Cowboys to have won. "No matter what people say, no matter what other teams do," Oklahoma States Marcus Smart said, "it goes through Kansas." STAR WATCH: There will be stars-a-plenty at the Big 12 tournament. Andrew Wiggins of Kansas is a potential No. 1 draft pick, Iowa States Melvin Ejim is the Big 12 player of the year and Smart is also a potential lottery pick. But one player who wont be on the floor is Jayhawks centre Joel Embiid, whos been ruled out for the Big 12 tournament and unlikely for the first week of the NCAA tournament because of a stress fracture in his back. HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE: Local schools Kansas and Kansas State always pack the Sprint Center, but Iowa State also tends to draw well -- its campus is a reasonable drive from Kansas City. That means itll be tough to secure a ticket to Thursdays first session, when the Cyclones play the Wildcats and Kansas is also in action in a tantalizing double-header. LONGSHOTS: Even longshots have coaches concerned this year. Texas Tech is the No. 9 seed but has wins over Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas on its resume. And nobody thought TCU would go winless in the league, so the No. 10 seed Horned Frogs could be primed for a first-round upset of the Bears. "Were going to do our best to keep within striking distance, like we have all year long, and give ourselves a chance down the stretch," TCU coach Trent Johnson said. Andrew Luck Womens Jersey . -- Tony Finau won the Stonebrae Classic on Sunday for his first Web. Darius Leonard Youth Jersey . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. http://www.coltsofficialstore.us/authent...n-colts-jersey/. -- ETwaun Moore had 14 points in 30 minutes, and the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 87-86 on Sunday night. Bobby Okereke Youth Jersey .Pete Morelli said the back judge threw a flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens on a pass to Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew in Dallas 24-20 wild-card win Sunday. But the head linesman said there wasnt enough contact and that Hitchens was face-guarding, which isnt a penalty in the NFL. Johnny Unitas Youth Jersey . Goldeyes third baseman Ryan Pineda drove in three runs and the pitching staff didnt allow an earned run, as Winnipeg downed Kansas City 6-3 in American Association exhibition action at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas.MONTREAL - On his death at age 83, Montreal Canadiens great Jean Beliveau was remembered as a hockey giant, a legend and a role model to us all.Tributes poured in from around the hockey world and from political leaders after the Canadiens announced that perhaps their best player ever, and certainly their greatest captain, had died.Beyond being one of the greatest players in NHL history, Jean Beliveau was class personified, said Canadiens owner and president Geoff Molson. He was a hero to generations of his fellow French Canadians and hockey fans everywhere. Our sport has lost a great ambassador.Flags were lowered to half-mast at the Quebec National Assembly and at Montreal city hall while the hockey great was honoured in the House of Commons.Highlights and reminiscences from fans and Beliveaus former teammates and opponents dominated newscasts. At an arena named after him in Longueuil, Que., the suburb where Beliveau and his family lived for more than 50 years, fans brought flowers to his statue, and one put a Canadiens scarf around its neck.Beliveau won 10 Stanley Cups in his 20 seasons as a player from 1950 to 1971 and seven more as part of the administration of the National Hockey Leagues most successful franchise.But he was known and cherished as much for his graciousness and class as for his hockey skill.He was a great human being, said Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Put hockey aside and look at what he represents not only in Quebec and Canada, but across the world.Bergevin said the Canadiens, in the midst of a four-game road trip, would all wear Beliveaus No. 4 on their helmets in a game against the Wild in Minnesota on Wednesday night. The teams next home game is Tuesday night against the Vancouver Canucks.For fans to pay their respects, Beliveau will lay in wake at the Bell Centre on Sunday and Monday, the team announced. His funeral is set for Wednesday at Mary Queen of the World cathedral near the Bell Centre.It promises to be an emotional week, as Beliveau was likely the most popular and respected Canadien in the clubs 105-year history.He was the bar for being a Montreal Canadien, goalie Carey Price told the teams website. He set the standard for everyone else to follow. He was a winner and he was a humble winner.No one knew that better than Beliveaus former linemate Frank Mahovlich, who joined the Canadiens in the 1970-71 season after starring for Toronto and Detroit earlier in his career. Mahovlich discovered a captain like none hed seen before. When I got traded to the Canadiens, I wondered why they had so much success and I found that they never had the problems we had with other clubs, said Mahovlich. If there was a problem, the player would go to Beliveau and Beliveau would take it up to management and get it resolved.So you were ready to play hockey all the time. You didnt have all the grievances other teams had. I think that meant a lot.Mahovlich was on the ice on Feb. 11, 1971, when his six-foot-three centre had a hat trick to reach 500 career goals. The historic marker was a beauty, with Mahovlich slipping a pass to Phil Roberto on the right wing on a rush and Beliveau sweeping in to take the pass, deke Minnesota goalie Gilles Gilbert and flip a backhand inside the far post.Getting an assist on his 500th goal was an honour, said Mahovlich. It was a great goal.It was a goal that typified the grace and skill Beliveau brought to the sport.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement saying hockey was elevated forever by Beliveaus character, dignity and class.No record book can capture, no image can depict, no statue can convey the grandeur of the remarkable Jean Beliveau, whosee elegance and skill on the ice earned the admiration of the hockey world while his humility and humanity away from the rink earned the love of fans everywhere.dddddddddddd His departure leaves an immeasurable void.Its been a sombre time for the hockey world. Former player, coach and executive Pat Quinn and former Canadien Gilles Tremblay both died last week, while Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe suffered a major stroke in late October.Beliveau always seemed to have time to talk to fans, sign an autograph or pose for a picture. Stories abound of him sending a note and making a phone call to fans who were ailing or even those who just wished to meet him.Big Jean always practised what he preached, said former Canadien Murray Wilson. He had a very legible autograph because he always thought it was special for someone to ask him for his autograph.Prime Minister Stephen Harper, an avid hockey fan, offered condolences on behalf of Canadians.Mr. Beliveau will be remembered as a hockey giant who inspired a nation with his outstanding skill, humility and pure love of the game, he said in a statement. His legacy lives on in the records he set, the legions of hockey players that he inspired, and the deep love he shared with his home province of Quebec.Gov. Gen. David Johnston said Canada had lost a great champion.In Quebec City, the national assembly observed a minutes silence. Premier Philippe Couillard remembered the Habs legend as a man who transcended sport.For Quebecers and Canadians, he was more than just a great hockey player — he was a gentleman, said Couillard, who recalled getting an autograph from Beliveau outside the old Montreal Forum when he was 13. He gave us an image of ourselves that we liked.Senator Jacques Demers, who coached Montreal to a Stanley Cup in 1993, said: What Im most proud of today, as a French-Canadian, is the tremendous honour that hes paid in tributes by all Canada, anglophones. That makes me feel very special.And Montreal mayor Denis Coderre sent out a tweet that said: Farewell Mr Beliveau, you were an inspiration for us all. A true gentleman.Beliveau won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP twice. He captured the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in 1956 and won the inaugural the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1965. In 1,125 games, he recorded 1,219 points on 507 goals and 712 assists.The native of Trois-Rivieres, Que., who grew up in Victoriaville, Que., was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. His No. 4 was retired in 1971.Beliveau had been in poor health in recent months. His death was felt around the NHL.With his great talent and class, Jean Beliveau not only became a hockey legend but also a model who will be remembered in Quebec and Canada forever, said Colorado Avalanche coach and former Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy.Fellow Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux said Beliveau was class personified.He was a hero to generations of his fellow French Canadians and hockey fans everywhere, said Lemieux. Our sport has lost a great ambassador.Hes an unbelievable man, Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien said. When you talk about class, it has Jean Beliveau written all over it. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know him.Paul Henderson, the 1972 Summit Series hero who played against Beliveau, added: He played the game the way the game was supposed to be played, but how he conducted himself off the ice. . . I remember thinking Thats the kind of man I want to be, in terms of a husband, a father. You need role models like that — like Jean Beliveau. You ask a lot of people from my era, Beliveau was one of the guys that you wanted to emulate. Man, he lived his life well. ' ' '