Mark Pope calls Koby Brea's extended absence 'judgment call we could maybe take back in the future'

Wondering why Koby Brea played just 17 total minutes and five in the second half of Kentucky‘s loss at Clemson? You’re not the only one. In fact, some staff members on the bench were wondering the same thing, watching the nation’s leading shooter sit from the 9:35 mark all the way down to the final seconds. He finally returned with just 21 seconds left on the clock with the Wildcats down six.

The fifth-year senior finished with three points on just three total shot attempts — two from 3-point range — and a single make. He also added two rebounds and two assists, but finished as a -15 in the plus/minus, third-worst on the team behind only Kerr Kriisa (-21) and Brandon Garrison (-20).

A fan asked Pope for an explanation during his call-in radio show this week on why the Wildcats — who couldn’t buy a three in the second half, shooting just 3-13 for 23.1 percent from deep — kept the guy shooting 60.5 percent from three on the bench with the game within reach. His response? Well, it’s a fair question, one that could have easily gone the other direction.

It was a judgment call taking defense over offense. Was it the right one? Maybe not.

“That’s a great question and, just so you know, we’re arguing about the same things as a staff on the bench at the time,” Pope told the caller. “Koby has been so good for us. It’s really interesting because you’re kind of playing two sides. Koby is growing as a defensive player and ball-mover. He’s clearly our highest points-per-possession guy — almost a 1.6, he’s lethal.

“We had a couple issues, we really struggled with things on the glass early and we ended up rolling with this: With Lamont (Butler) being out so much, if we could have either Lamont or Otega (Oweh) on the floor, at least one of those guys, it’s a steadying force for us on the defensive end. Lamont having to dance so much with the injury and kind of being slowed down, I was a little bit of a lean there.”

Seeing how the game was unfolding with foul trouble and Butler’s ankle injury, he considered moving Jaxson Robinson to point guard to free up a spot for Brea. Instead, he stuck with Kriisa rotating in for Butler while keeping the starters in for the majority of time, riding or dying with the core group of Robinson (18), Oweh (17), Andrew Carr (17) and Amari Williams (15).

Will that be the case moving forward? Don’t be surprised if Pope turns back toward Brea and his ability to make shots.

“We actually spent some time thinking about putting Jaxson at the point because he’s played that for us successfully. That’s a lineup we’ll see and that would have allowed us more space to put Koby in the game,” he said. “It’s a juggling deal for us. Koby is certainly capable, he’s an incredibly special player.

“Your question is well-asked, my friend, and you’re thinking about the game in the right way, for sure. It’s a judgment call we maybe take back in the future. We’ll see.”

Gotta keep the best shooter in college basketball rolling.