KenPom predicts outcome of crucial four-game stretch for Texas

March is fast approaching, which means the regular season is coming to a close. For Texas, it’s a big stretch as Chris Beard wraps up year one back in Austin — and KenPom projects some big opportunities.

The Longhorns are currently 19-8 overall and 8-6 in Big 12 action, sitting 3.5 games back of first-place Kansas. They have a couple chances to move up the standings before the conference tournament with a game against second-place Baylor before the season finale against the Jayhawks.

The KenPom predictions are in for this big stretch, which will be huge in shaping Texas’ seed in the league tournament and potential NCAA tournament seed. Here’s what the metrics project.

What KenPom predicts for the Longhorns’ final four games

Feb. 23 vs. TCU

Predicted winner: Texas

Predicted final score: Texas 66, TCU 58

Texas chance of victory: 78%

Feb. 26 at West Virginia

Predicted winner: Texas

Predicted final score: Texas 66, West Virginia 62

Texas chance of victory: 62%

Feb. 28 vs. Baylor

Predicted winner: Baylor

Predicted final score: Baylor 67, Texas 66

Texas chance of victory: 50%

March 5 at Kansas

Predicted winner: Kansas

Predicted final score: Kansas 72, Texas 66

Texas chance of victory: 28%

Chris Beard confident in his ability to draw hoops crowd, compliments fans

Texas and Texas Tech created an incredible atmosphere at the Frank Erwin Center on Saturday — almost with a tournament-like feel. Plenty of fans made the trip from Lubbock, while the Texas faithful showed up to support their team as well.

Texas head coach Chris Beard talked after the game if he had a better feel for how energetic a Texas home game can get after the atmosphere against Texas Tech. He said it’s something he has known since his first day in charge and thanked Longhorn fans for their support on Saturday.

“No, not a better feel. I’ve had that feel since Day One,” Beard said. “We did it at Fort Scott (CC), we did it at Seminole (State JC), did it at McMurray, Angelo State, we did it at Little Rock, we did it at South Carolina (semi-professional). We did it in Lubbock and we’re doing it here and it’s great. Our fans have been unbelievable. We’ve had multiple sell outs. Our student section is one of the best in college basketball. I can’t thank Longhorn Nation, our season ticket holders, and fans enough. I thought today was another great atmosphere and I thought Texas fans were great today. And we appreciate them.”

Texas will be transitioning out of the Frank Erwin Center next season, with two games remaining. The Longhorns will host both TCU and Baylor, hoping to close down the famous arena in a positive fashion.