George Mason University shocked the world and perennial powerhouse U Conn with an 86-84 overtime win to send the 11th seeded Patriots to the Final Four.
While Connecticut had more size, athleticism and experience, George Mason clearly had more desire and played a better game. The Patriots trailed by as many as 12 but managed to catch fire from behind the three-point stripe in the second half and take a lead.
With the win, George Mason became the first ever team from the Colonial Athletic Association to advance to the Final Four. The Patriots are also tied for the lowest-seeded team to advance to the college basketball’s biggest weekend, matching LSU who was also seeded 11th in 1986. It also marks the first time since 1985 when the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams that no top seeded team advanced to the Final Four.
George Mason coach Jim Larranaga was thrilled by his team’s performance. “I was kidding with one of my assistants, ‘We're not just an at-large team, we're an at-extra-large. And if we win today, we're going to be an at-extra-double-large. I can't tell you how much fun I'm having.’'
Guard Tony Skinn said that the underdog label has suited GMU well. “I think it's been working for us, calling us Cinderella,' Skinn said. 'We were not supposed to get into the tournament, we got into it. We were not supposed to beat Michigan State and we beat them. Weren't supposed to beat North Carolina and we beat them. We definitely weren't supposed to be UConn. I think we'll stick to the script going into whoever we play. We don't mind being the Cinderella.'
UConn coach Jim Calhoun was classy in defeat. 'I feel so good, through my own sadness, for Jim Larranaga,' UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. 'Playing at that level is not easy. I can only imagine the feeling they must have on that campus, in that locker room. ... It's something they probably never imagined. We've imagined it, and we've done it. They could never have imagined it.'
Jai Lewis popped in 20 points to lead George Mason while teammates Lamar Butler and Will Thomas each added 19.
Connecticut seemed destined to lose in regulation but poor free throw shooting by George Mason and a last minute basket by Denham Brown knotted the score.
Missed foul shots by Jai Lewis in the final seconds of overtime gave U Conn one final chance to even the score or win with a three pointer but Brown’s desperation three-point heave at the buzzer was off the mark.
George Mason has truly accomplished a miracle. Now, they are two wins away from a national title.
