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

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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) /

The two wins in Dayton sent the Patriots home. Their campus in Fairfax Virginia was just 20 miles from the Verizon Center where the East Regionals were being played.

They dominated Wichita State in the Sweet 16. George Mason led 35-19 at halftime and The Shockers never got closer than seven points in the second half. That came on a meaningless three with 23 seconds remaining.

As they often have done under Larranaga at Miami it was their defense that was the difference. Wichita State shot 20-64 from the floor and three for 24 on threes in the loss.

George Mason’s win set up a meeting with the East top-seeded UConn Huskies. Five Huskies would be drafted that June with four going in the first round.

Skinn reiterated what Larranaga said earlier in the Tournament about using the perception that they didn’t belong in the tournament as motivation.

"“We’ve been trying to prove ourselves all year. We heard what the critics were saying — that we didn’t belong in the tournament…The confidence level has risen, and we’ve gotten a chance to show the country what we’re capable of.”"

George Mason pulled off what some had considered the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history until UMBC defeated Virginia in this year’s first round.

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