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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The Patriots got into a 16-2 hole to begin the game. With Larranaga using a zone defense George Mason was able to cut the halftime lead to 27-20. The Patriots took the lead for good with 2:52 left when Lamar Butler made two free throws after being fouled when George Mason broke the UNC press.

The Patriots won by outscoring the Tar Heels 45-23 in the second half. They did a brilliant job against North Carolina’s star Freshman Tyler Hansbrough.

Hansbrough averaged 18.9 points that season. George Mason held him to ten points on five of 13 shooting. He left North Carolina in 2009 with a National Championship and as the ACC’s all-time leading scorer.

George Mason was motivated in the NCAA Tournament by all the doubters who didn’t think they belonged. After the game, Larranaga discussed those doubting his team and what he told them when the learned they were in the NCAA Tournament

"“I think a lot of experts expected them to dominate us…We have enough faith and confidence in ourselves that we’re not listening to the experts and the so-called prognosticators…If we make the tournament,…we’ll be given an opportunity to prove ourselves in front of the entire nation.”"

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