Jim Larrañaga is a national treasure.
On Sunday, Larrañaga led Miami to its first-ever Final Four appearance after pulling off an incredible comeback over Texas. The Hurricanes rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half to stun the No. 2 seeded Longhorns 88-81. Miami posted 51 points in the second half to completely overwhelm Texas in the final 20 minutes.
MORE 2023 MARCH MADNESS: Fans hated how refs decided the end to San Diego State-Creighton game.
Thankfully for Miami, this isn’t Larrañaga’s first Final Four rodeo. In fact, 17 years to the day in 2006, Larrañaga helped George Mason advance to the Final Four. Even better, George Mason also erased a double digit deficit, much like Miami did to best Texas.
March 26, 2006: Jim Larrañaga's George Mason Patriots erase double digit-deficit to advance to the Final Four
March 26, 2023: Jim Larrañaga's Miami Hurricanes erase double digit-deficit to advance to the Final Four pic.twitter.com/ZrNaCJMuJK
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 26, 2023
Here’s how things looked back in 2006 when Larrañaga led George Mason to the Final Four.
On this day in 2006, Jim Larrañaga led @MasonMBB to the @MFinalFour! 👏
Will he do the same with Miami tonight? 👀 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/PvJ3YRBrdO
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2023
What a tournament it’s been so far for the Hurricanes. Earlier in the week, Miami upset No. 1 seed Houston to make it to the Elite Eight and Larrañaga stole the show afterwards with his hilarious dance moves.
And now, Larrañaga is once again leading his team to a Final Four appearance in late March.
"All the guys just kept talking 'We've got to go past the Elite 8 and get to the Final Four'" 🙌
Jim Larrañaga celebrates with his team as the Canes are set to make their first Final Four appearance ever! 👏#MarchMadness @CanesHoops pic.twitter.com/BEzGSRRPJz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2023
Basketball fans were overjoyed for Larrañaga on such an awesome milestone.
College basketball fans were overjoyed for Jim Larrañaga helping Miami to the Final Four.
getting to the final four at miami *and* george mason…you don't even to say anything else about your career after that. take a bow, jim larrañaga.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) March 26, 2023
Jim Larranaga has cemented his place in basketball history.
George Mason to the Final Four.
Miami to the Final Four.
Two INCREDIBLE feats. https://t.co/b1dnrZqg5T
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2023
Jim Larrañaga knows how to coach. Back in the #FinalFour 17 years later. https://t.co/F29stOBcwN
— Mike Cianciolo (@MikeCianciolo) March 26, 2023
Want to talk about stories. Jim Larrañaga beat Uconn back in 2006 with George Mason and now will face them in the Final Four years later. College basketball writes itself.
Greatest sport.
— Jon (@JonSpor) March 26, 2023
Seventeen years to the day after he coached George Mason to a stunning win over No. 1 UConn to make the Final Four with the Patriots, Jim Larrañaga is going again with another team dressed (partly) in green: his Miami Hurricanes.
What a comeback. What a coach. What a team.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 26, 2023
What a note from Jim Nantz, that Jim Larrañaga and George Mason pulled off their Elite Eight win 17 years ago today.
This sport has serious magic to it.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 26, 2023
Man, I am SO happy for Jim Larrañaga.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) March 27, 2023
Jim Larrañaga is an amazing basketball coach, happy to see him succeed at the highest level
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) March 26, 2023
Jim Larranaga has taken GEORGE MASON AND MIAMI to Final Fours. That’s one of the most incredible feats I can think of.
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) March 26, 2023
