The play called was simple. Score a quick two points, then foul.

Down by three with 27 seconds to go in overtime against Hawaii, No. 22 Utah State (20-2) was attempting a comeback. Brian Green was not supposed to be involved.

Yet somewhere along the way, this perfunctory play broke down, and it occurred to Green, a senior guard for the Aggies, that a two would no longer do it. He quickly got to the top of the key to be in position to make the 3-pointer.

Seeing what was happening, teammate Tyler Newbold set a flare screen on Green’s defender. All of a sudden, Green found the ball in his hands from 30 feet out. He put up the shot.

‘I just kind of launched it,’ Green said.

The ball fell through the net with 15 seconds left to send the game into a second overtime. Five minutes later, the Aggies won the game 89-84. The victory was in large part a result of Green, who scored 22 points and made the shots that forced both overtimes in the game Sunday.

Sunday’s win is reflective of the upstart season the Aggies are having. Currently riding the third longest active winning streak in Division I basketball, Utah State’s last loss came Dec. 4 to then-No. 14 Georgetown. The team’s biggest asset is its consistency on defense, so Green’s offensive burst was a surprise coming from Utah State.

‘We’ve been a really solid, consistent defensive team,’ Utah State associate coach Tim Duryea said. ‘And we’ve been an exception rebounding team.’

After the first few games of conference play, especially after the win over San Jose State, head coach Stew Morrill got on his players to put in the extra effort. Since that point, Duryea said the players have really seen how beneficial putting in more work at the defensive end can be when those situations are mirrored in games.

‘Ever since those first few conference games, I feel like we’ve really been working harder and playing harder in practice,’ Green said. ‘So I think that’s been a key to our success right now.’

This push has been led by the six seniors who provide the team with a level of maturity it lacked last season. A more experienced team has meant a better understanding of how to work together. Now everyone understands what he has to do to make sure the team gets a win, Newbold said.

This includes Green, who, in his senior year, finally has a concrete role. Specifically, that role is shooting guard. Yet despite the offensive boost he has given his team of late, Green is not one of the starting five. Even in his senior season, he comes off the bench.

‘This year coach told me the role, and it helps me better prepare for games and what I need to do for the team and how the team needs me,’ Green said.

He is still able to get a good number of minutes, playing the most time of anyone off the bench last month. Duryea said having a player like Green on the bench gives the Aggies a leg up that is rare among college teams.

‘At the college level, usually your five best players start, and so when you go to the bench usually you have a little dip and you just try to minimize it,’ Duryea said. ‘Whereas with our team I don’t think we have any dip, and a lot of times I think we go up to another level.’

Green reached that next level last week with his impressive offense, and it didn’t go unnoticed. He was acknowledged by the WAC as Verizon Player of the Week and Utah State Player of the Week in the same week. Although not the best 3-point shooter playing college ball in Utah, he tied the school record for 3-point shooting percentage in the game against San Jose State, making 8-of-9 attempts.

His teammates and coaches have noticed how well he’s been doing. Duryea said the team has been trying to get him the ball as much as possible because Green is ‘in the zone.’ He is making shots without forcing it.

If his scoring continues — and continues to complement the improved defense — the Aggies can expect the wins to continue.

‘Brian was really, really confident,’ Newbold said. ‘Once he makes a few shots, you can tell in his eyes that he can make everything that he shoots.’

Up, up, and away

Last week, North Carolina coach Roy Williams mentioned the team was closing in on a contract to play against Michigan State next Veteran’s Day.

On an aircraft carrier.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis came up with the idea. Hollis has been known for creating unusual college sporting events since he first organized for the Spartans to play basketball at Ford Field, the Detroit Lions’ stadium, in 2003.

If it works out, the game will likely be played on a docked aircraft in San Diego, and it is possible it will be preceded by a game between two service academies, according to an article from the Lansing State Journal in November. The date of the game will be 11/11/11.

Game to watch: Michigan State at No. 19 Wisconsin

The last time these teams met, Michigan State won an overtime game at home. The Spartans went on a 9-0 run in the second half to stay in the game and, in overtime, won the game after Kalin Lucas made three free throws.

The last time the Badgers lost at home, however, was late November to Notre Dame. Coming off a win against No. 11 Purdue at home, it seems to have the upper hand. Forward Jon Leuer has been on a hot streak, and Wisconsin is averaging only 7.8 turnovers per game, which is among the lowest in the nation.

alguggen@syr.edu