Final Four run still has afterglow for George Mason

Sometimes, it'll happen at the grocery store. Or the movie theater. Or a restaurant.

But George Mason coach Jim Larranaga didn't expect it in Italy, where he took his team for a summer exhibition trip.

As an opposing coach walked toward him with the gleeful look all his admirers have when they recognize him, Larranaga prepared himself for the kudos he's received since guiding the 11th-seeded Patriots to the 2006 Final Four.

"One of the coaches from the other team came up to me and shook my hand," Larranaga said. "I said, 'How do you know me?' He said, 'Your son was a great [professional] player in Italy.' They knew him."

Most remember Larranaga from that memorable ride George Mason took five years ago. A documentary about the journey is in the works. A book is also a possibility, Larranaga said. He might want to leave room for additional chapters.

This year's George Mason team is just as much of a sleeper as its predecessors. The Patriots have the nation's longest winning streak, at 15 games.

They have the country's 19th-ranked field-goal percentage, 48 percent. They have the 27th-best scoring defense (61.5 points per game).

Joe Lunardi's most recent mock bracket on ESPN.com lists the Patriots as a No. 7 seed.

But Larranaga said this year's Patriots have their own identity. The 2006 squad relied on post threats. The current team depends more on perimeter players.

Guard Cam Long, who's averaging 15.1 points per game, leads the Patriots in scoring.

"We probably spend more time moving the ball and sharing the ball on offense," Larranaga said.

He credits his past success for his team's current achievements.

"Our president uses the expression that 'it's the gift that keeps on giving,'" Larranaga said. "There's never a day that goes by that someone [doesn't] bring it up and ask about it."

And the spotlight has returned, given the five-year anniversary and parallels.

Larranaga said he and his players are doing more interviews as the NCAA tournament approaches. It reminds him of the buzz he experienced with the 2006 team.

He's glad he knows how to handle it.

"The experience certainly helps because you have no idea of the volume and depth of the number of interviews that you're being asked to do and the time commitment that it requires," he said. "We have to monitor the amount of time our players are devoting to it."