LAWRENCE — Kansas women’s basketball has struggled the past couple of years in the Big 12 Conference tournament, despite the Jayhawks’ improved success as a program overall.

In 2022, when Kansas reached the NCAA tournament, the Jayhawks lost their Big 12 tournament opener in the quarterfinals against Oklahoma. In 2023, when Kansas went on to win the 2023 Postseason WNIT, the Jayhawks lost their Big 12 tournament opener in the first round against TCU. It’s something that’s clearly been on coach Brandon Schneider’s mind.

But ahead of Kansas’ Big 12 tournament opener this year, the Jayhawks (18-11) have won nine of their last 11 games. As a No. 7 seed, they’re going to go up against a No. 10-seed BYU squad in Kansas City that they’ve topped twice already this season. Momentum is in Kansas’ favor ahead of its upcoming game Friday at 5:30 p.m. (CT) at the T-Mobile Center against the Cougars (16-15).

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“I don’t know that confident is the right word,” said Schneider, asked if how well the team’s playing has him more confident than ever ahead of a Big 12 tournament. “I would say we were pretty confident a year ago. I think that our sense of urgency in everything that we’re doing right now, whether it’s in practice or a film session or a team meeting, is encouraging to me.”

Here’s a prediction of how Kansas will perform in Big 12 tournament

Kansas 75, BYU 60: Kansas ensures its stretch of quick exits in the Big 12 tournament ends this year with a commanding victory against BYU. Super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson stays out of foul trouble and thrives, as freshman guard S’Mya Nichols — an All-Big 12 first team selection like Jackson — proves she’s ready to be relied upon in postseason play.

Texas 80, Kansas 67: Much like Kansas’ loss earlier this season on the road at Texas, the Jayhawks’ inconsistency shooting 3s helps sink their chances. The No. 2-seed Longhorns (27-4) win this quarterfinals matchup Saturday and advance to the semifinals, while KU starts to prepare for the NCAA tournament.

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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: How far will Kansas women's basketball advance in Big 12 tournament?