Kansas suspends Brannen Greene 6 games after argument over playing time -- but he has a point

Brannen Greene won’t be getting a free trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. Kansas’ junior wing has been suspended for six games because of an argument over playing time that stemmed from the Jayhawks’ loss to Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Tuesday.

Greene played only nine minutes in the loss to the Spartans after an encouraging season opener where he went 6-for-6 from the field and 5-for-5 from three-point range. Kansas’ offense struggled mightily to produce good looks in the second half, as perimeter players like Devonte Graham (1-for-9 from the field) and Wayne Selden Jr. (3-for-12) earned minutes over Greene.

Following the loss to MSU, Greene’s parents were summoned to the KU locker room by coach Bill Self where the two parties engaged in a “contentious and prolonged” argument, according to the KC Star. Greene’s father Jeffery told the KC Star “We shouldn’t have borne witness to that,” following the incident.

The timing of the suspension couldn’t be worse for Greene, as he’ll be missing the Maui Invitational. The Jayhawks kick off play in the tournament on Monday against Chaminade.

Greene has had disciplinary issues before. He was suspended for one game last season for what Self deemed “irresponsibility”, according to the KC Star.

Greene’s father offered a measured take on the incident:

“In hindsight,” Jeffrey Greene said, “he should have kept his mouth shut. He should have kept his mouth shut and got ready for the next game. Because if he would have kept his mouth shut and gotten ready for the next game, he would be playing in Maui.

“The coach is always right.”

The coach might always be right, but it’s possible Greene had a point, too.

Prior to the game against Michigan State, we deemed Greene Kansas’ secret weapon. He’s widely considered the most consistent three-point shooter on the team after hitting 40.4 percent of his attempts from downtown as a sophomore last season. One would think hitting all five threes he attempted in the opener vs. Northern Colorado would have earned him a chance against Michigan State, but apparently not.

It isn’t particularly unique for a player to fall in Self’s doghouse. Last year, 5-star freshmen Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre Jr. played sparing at the beginning of the season. Oubre would eventually become a starter but Alexander never found consistent playing time all season despite posting impressive per-minute numbers.

If Kansas wants to find its groove this year, it would benefit Self to give Greene a chance. At 6’7 and 215 pounds, he has the size to man either forward spot and his shooting would help open things up for Perry Ellis to work on the interior. Especially when Graham and Selden are building houses with so many bricks, why not give a marksman like Greene a shot?

Like Greene’s father said, there’s no point arguing with Self. He’s always going to win. But if nothing else, it’s understandable why Greene was frustrated.