In not quite the same vein as Butler and Wichita State, the George Mason Patriots, as a non-power conference team, broke out for one outstanding run. Led by now-Miami coach Jim Larranaga, the Colonial Conference representative was 27-8 in the regular season and accounted for a nERD of only 11.58.

In response, the Committee gave them, as an at-large, an 11 seed and set them opposite Michigan State. The Patriots proceeded to beat the Spartans, but they ran through two more powerhouses -- North Carolina and Connecticut -- en route to the first and only Final Four in school history.

The Patriots even defeated the Shockers amid their four tournament wins. It's crazy to say, but the only way George Mason was blocked from making further history was that they were out-destined by Florida, the eventual national champion.