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

Buoyed by a home crowd George Mason survived a much taller UConn roster and a game-tying layup to send the game to overtime by the Huskies Denham Brown.

Their tenacity and composure was the difference in the game. The Patriots survived when Brown missed a game-winning three at the overtime buzzer.

George Mason kept UConn in the game with poor free throw shooting late. They were fortunate to win. Jai Lewis missed three free throws in the final 15 seconds that could have iced the game.

It was eerily similar to Miami’s loss to Loyola in the first round this season. The Hurricanes went one for three from the line in the final two minutes of the game.

That included the front end of a one and one with seven seconds remaining that could have given Miami a three-point lead. The Ramblers hit a three with 0.3 seconds left for the win.

George Mason’s run to the Final Four gave other mid-majors a chance to dream. Loyola is the fifth or sixth mid-major team to reach the Final Four since the Patriots became the first team to do in the 64 team era.

Next: Jim Larranaga will continue to coach Miami Hurricanes for foreseeable future

It depends on if Gonzaga is counted or not. Consider the players they sign and their non-conference schedule its difficult to view them as a mid-major anymore.