During Kentucky’s recent loss to Clemson, many were left wondering why Koby Brea played just 17 total minutes, with only five in the second half. His extended time on the bench raised questions, especially with the Wildcats struggling from beyond the arc, shooting just 3-for-13 in the second half. Brea, who leads the nation in shooting, was only reinserted into the game for the final 21 seconds, with Kentucky trailing by six.
The fifth-year senior finished with just three points, taking only three shots, and contributing two rebounds and two assists. However, he posted a -15 in plus/minus, ranking third-worst on the team.
A fan called into Mark Pope’s radio show seeking an explanation for Brea’s minimal minutes, particularly given his 60.5% shooting from three-point range. Pope acknowledged the situation, admitting it was a tough decision that the coaching staff was actively discussing during the game. Ultimately, Pope prioritized defense over offense, given the team’s struggles on the glass and the absence of key players like Lamont Butler, who was hindered by injury.
“We really struggled with rebounding early on,” Pope explained. “With Lamont out, we needed to ensure that either Lamont or Otega Oweh was on the floor for defense.”
Pope also considered moving Jaxson Robinson to point guard to free up a spot for Brea but ultimately stuck with the core group of players, including Kerr Kriisa, to manage the game.
Looking ahead, Pope didn’t rule out turning back to Brea’s shooting ability. He expressed confidence in Brea’s potential and noted that the decision might be revisited in future games.
“We’ll see,” Pope said. “It’s a judgment call we might take back in the future, but Koby’s certainly an incredibly special player.”
