Utah State basketball notebook: Aggies' Brian Green red hot off the bench

RENO, Nev. — Brian Green might be the best sixth man in the WAC.

Though a mostly unwanted and unrecruited 5-11 shooting guard out of Salt Lake Community College, the former Davis Dart is proving his value to Utah State with each shot he takes.

"He can shoot it," USU coach Stew Morrill said. "We're going to get him open if we can."

And if there's even the smallest of openings, Green is going to make opposing defenses pay. Thursday afternoon, Green shot 10 times, making seven, and connected on four 3-pointers.

Green's value, though, took a little while to get figured out. He started a couple of games when Pooh Williams was injured. Morrill experimented for a time with Green as the backup point guard.

But coming off the bench as a designated sniper is clearly the role that fits Green best.

Once WAC play began, Green got white hot with his shooting. He's shooting 56.3 percent overall but an amazing 63.3 percent from 3-point range — making 31 of 49 shots.

"I love coming off the bench," Green said. "It gives me a chance to see the game and the competition, to relax and play well when I come in."

Those who have watched Green play might have noticed something quirky he does after making a shot.

The emotionally fiery competitor taps his elbows as he returns down the court and gets set to play defense. What does that mean?

"These are my guns," Green said, referring to his arms. "I'm just reloading the clips."

And getting ready to pull the trigger — like a good sniper always does.

WHOSE HOUSE? STEW'S HOUSE: The WAC Tournament won't be back at the Lawlor Events Center next year. The conference moved the annual tourney to Las Vegas' Orleans Arena after several WAC coaches and administrators complained of an unfair homecourt advantage for the host Wolf Pack.

Morrill might want to reconsider, though.

Utah State has won five straight games in the building including last year's 3-0 tourney sweep and a regular-season win over Nevada earlier this year.

Of course, USU has had a fair amount of success no matter where it plays a conference tournament. Since joining the WAC, the Aggies are 12-3 in tournament games.

Since Morrill took over at USU, the Aggies are 22-6 in conference tournament games and have won eight quarterfinal games in a row.

MOURNING MERLIN: After the game, Morrill took a moment to express his thoughts on the passing of USU legend Merlin Olsen.

"As an Aggie, I hope he was smiling as we progressed in the tournament today," Morrill said.

The current USU hoops coach said Olsen is an example for all Aggies.

"Such classs," Morrill said. "He's what a person should be."

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com