Jim Larranaga set precedence for mid-majors in the Final Four

WASHINGTON - MARCH 26: The George Mason Patriots celebrate their win over the Connecticut Huskies during the Regional Finals of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 26, 2006 at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. The George Mason Patriots defeated the Connecticut Huskies 86/84. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

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George Mason’s run to the Final Four led by current Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Jim Larranaga was the first true Mid-Major to reach a Final Four in the modern era.

The Patriots run to the Final Four in 2006 was improbable. Jim Larranaga was in his 20th season as a collegiate Head Coach during the 2005-06 season. It was his ninth season with the Patriots after 11 years at Bowling Green.

Jim Larranaga had only led teams to the NCAA Tournament twice prior to 2006. That was in 1999 and 2001 with George Mason.

The Patriots win in the first round over Michigan State that season was their first in four trips to the NCAA Tournament. They also become just the third team from the Colonial Athletic Association to advance to a Regional Semifinal and the first since Richmond in 1988.

George Mason defeated the Spartans without their second-leading scorer Tony Skinn. Skinn was suspended for sucker punching a player on Hofstra during the Colonial Tournament semifinals. Among those supporting Jim Larranaga’s decision to suspend Skinn was Mike Krzyzewski.

"“We need more coaches to have the courage to step up in situations like this and say to our kids, ‘That’s wrong; I’m not making excuses for you”"

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