WASHINGTON -- George Mason coach Jim Larranaga was the star
of the Colonial Athletic Association's annual media day, basking in
a spotlight that has barely dimmed since the Patriots' improbable
trip to the Final Four.
"I've always thought I was a very busy person," Larranaga said
Wednesday. "But the spring, summer and fall have been nonstop."
Hofstra was picked to win the conference in the preseason poll
of coaches, sports information directors and selected media, but
coach Tom Pecora never had more than a few people visiting his
booth at one time.
Larranaga attracted more than a dozen, and he spoke for nearly
two hours. His enthusiasm never faded, but his larynx seemed to be
running on fumes.
"You've got to save your voice for practice," assistant coach
Chris Caputo said.
"We're scrimmaging today -- you're coaching the scrimmage,"
Larranaga replied.
The Patriots were picked to finish second, which bodes much
better than it used to in the surging CAA. The conference sent two
schools (GMU and North Carolina-Wilmington) to the NCAA tournament
last season for the first time since 1986, and Old Dominion
advanced to the semifinals of the NIT.
The Patriots upset Michigan State, North Carolina and
Connecticut in the NCAA tournament and became the conference's
first team to make the Final Four.
"I think there are some leagues out there that don't earn a lot
of national respect, but I think last year we opened up the eyes of
the entire nation," Larranaga said. "Not just George Mason
either, but the performance of Old Dominion and Hofstra in the NIT
and Wilmington's run to the CAA championship, and Drexel making it
to Madison Square Garden and almost beating Duke and UCLA in the
Preseason NIT."
Larranaga knows it's a hard act to follow, especially when he's
returning only two starters from a 27-8 team.
"We know our opponents will paint a bull's-eye on our back and
say 'That's the team we want to beat, who made it to the Final
Four," Larranaga said. "We don't look at it that way. ... As
much as we've been enjoying it, we want to create new memories."
Fifteen-time defending champion Old Dominion was picked to win
the women's title again. The Lady Monarchs return four starters
from a 22-9 team.
Loren Stokes of Hofstra was selected as the men's preseason
player of the year. Kyra Kaylor of William & Mary was the choice
among the women.