2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Commentary: Patriots turn world upside down

Things that have happened since George Mason reached the Final Four over the weekend.

Three teams in Cinderella’s shadow

In any other year, Florida, LSU or UCLA might have worn the slipper; then there was GMU

Florida, LSU and UCLA each have one seemingly impossible task this weekend - trying to steal some attention from the darlings of the Final Four.

Commentary: George Mason rallying cry: Packer

Outspoken CBS college basketball analyst draws negative reaction - but he doesn't care

George Mason fans have been yelling “Bill-eee Pack-er! Bill-eee Pack-er!” with great glee after each of their NCAA Tournament wins. They have latched onto Packer as the embodiment of the powers that be in college basketball. When they stick it to “The Man,” they like to think The Man looks just like a bald-headed, hard-headed Wake Forest grad who used to be the voice of Putt-Putt golf.

Upstart George Mason staying loose with ‘unityball’

George Mason guard Tony Skinn stood under the basket at one end of the Patriot Center, holding a black-covered foam bat with a yellow plastic handle. The bases were loaded. He did a Babe Ruth and pointed to the seats.

He picked George Mason

Nebraska man one of scant few to predict Patriots' Final Four run

Russell Pleasant has some explaining to do. Such is life when you’re one of four out of 3 million contest entrants to pick all the teams in this year’s Final Four: LSU, Florida, UCLA and … George Mason?

Ah, the spotlight

Larranaga, Patriots relishing sudden fame

The coach of perhaps the most improbable Final Four team in NCAA history was running on pure adrenaline. George Mason’s Jim Larranaga had slept for only two hours, and his extremely hoarse voice didn’t deter him from what essentially became a day of nonstop talking.

Commentary: Everybody’s an underdog at Final 4

UCLA has highest seed, but doesn't resemble typical bully as survivors head to Indianapolis

George Mason is going to the Final Four. Three weeks ago, if somebody said that, you might have responded, “Really? What team is he on?”

Bedore: Bedore: Hard part past for Pats

Comments, musings, opinions and ramblings about the crazy 2005-06 college men’s basketball season: Can George Mason University win the NCAA title? Why not?

‘Gator boys’ cruise past Wildcats’ senior shooters

With Florida minutes away from the Final Four, Joakim Noah threw his head back, screamed and pounded his chest as if to announce Gators’ arrival.

One win for little guys

UConn's buzzer brick sends Mason to Final Four

George Mason’s players stood on the press table, waving their jerseys to the crowd. Coach Jim Larranaga walked around with the nylon net around his neck.

Commentary: Mason, Larranaga win 1 - or 4 - for little guy

This time of year used to be reserved for the big guys, with their tournament pedigrees, supersized budgets and ever-lengthening roster of NBA alums.

Mason campus rocks in celebration

No burning mattresses, no bonfires. Just unrestrained jubilation after George Mason advanced to the Final Four.

Texas toast; Bruins back

Rare 'Big Baby' trey lifts LSU in overtime

With a trip to the Final Four at stake, LSU’s baby Tigers turned to the biggest Baby of all.

UCLA stifles Tigers

Before rushing to cut down the nets, UCLA’s players and coaches stayed on the podium and led their fans in a popular school cheer: “UC-LA! UC-LA!”

Commentary: Villanova’s Wright good, and for real

You go in thinking Jay Wright is just too good to be true. You come away convinced he’s too true to be anything but good at what he does.