Larranaga and three Patriots receive All-Conference regular season honors

In his 14th season at the helm, George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga earned his second career CAA Coach of the Year award after leading his team to a school-best 25-5 regular season.  (John Powell)

In the midst of their 15-game hot streak in which they emerged into the Top 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, the CAA has recognized the Patriots outstanding season on the hardwood by naming head coach Jim Larranaga the conference’s Coach of the Year. This is the second time in his career he has been dubbed the CAA’s top coach, but the first time since 1999.

Larranaga coached his squad to a 25-5 season in which they won the conference regular season title for the first time since 2000. Not only is this the best regular season the Patriots have had during Larranaga’s 14-year reign, but it is the best record in school history. This is also the first time the Patriots have ever been ranked other than the final standings following their 2006 Final Four run.

Three members of Larranaga’s crew were also recognized by the CAA for their strong play this season.

Senior guard and team-leader Cam Long was named to the All-CAA First Team.  He is averaging a team-best 15.1 points per game and is shooting 44 percent from three-point land. He is also averaging five rebounds and three assists per outing. This is his third All-CAA award, making him just the sixth player in school history to accomplish that feat.

Junior forward Ryan Pearson, who has become a double-double machine down the stretch, was named to the second team. He has arguably been playing as well as anybody in the conference lately. On the season he is averaging 14.7 points and seven rebounds per game. Although he is not known for his outside shooting, he is even firing 41.5 percent from long range.

Sophomore wing player Luke Hancock, just one year removed from being named to the all-rookie team, was selected to the third team this season. He is averaging 11.1 points and a team-leading 4.4 assists per contest.

The CAA Player of the Year honors went to Hofstra’s senior guard Charles Jenkins.

The Patriots enter the CAA Tournament in Richmond this weekend as the top-seed. They will begin action Saturday at noon against the winner of Friday’s contest between Georgia State and UNC Wilmington. If they win, they will continue play on Sunday. The championship game will be played on Monday.

The Patriots are currently projected as a seven-seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament, according to Joe Lunardi of ESPN. However, winning the conference tournament would possibly push them into an even better slot perhaps closer to home.