Everyone Knows George Mason Now

For George Mason University, a little-known team named after an American patriot, the NCAA Tournament has been a series of revolutionary moments.

There's been no bigger surprise in the tournament than George Mason, the Final Four phenomenon that has accomplished the unthinkable: going from nearly missing the tournament to the cover of "Sports Illustrated," reports CBS News correspondent Jim Acosta.

Not that long ago, George Mason was a school some of the players themselves didn't recognize.

"I had never heard of George Mason in my life," says point guard Lamar Butler. "If anybody had told me I was going to George Mason in high school I would say 'Yeah, right.'"

But during the past week, the university has gained instant name recognition. And it's not more than just a sports recruiting coup. Officials at the school's admissions department say they've never seen this much interest from prospective students — all of them swept up in the Cinderella moment.

The last time an 11th-seeded team made the Final Four was 20 years ago. Winning the NCAA championship in Indianapolis would be unprecedented in modern times. And where else should an underdog go to make sports history but in Indiana, where Bobby Plump is an authority on David and Goliath stories.

In 1954, Plump nailed the winning shot in the Indiana State High School championship for the underdog of all underdogs, Milan High School. It's a moment that's immortalized in the film, "Hoosiers."

Back in Hinkle Fieldhouse, where Plump sank that famous shot, he showed he still has the ability to put the ball through the hoop. And he says he's got a feeling about George Mason.

"It's sort of ironic that it's in Indianapolis — a little place that we had a little success," Plump says.

Asked if Indianapolis was where sports miracles occur, Plump says, "Well, we know it did once. Could happen again."

Patriots coach Jim Larranaga sees the similarities, having seen "Hoosiers" 50 times.

"Every time I watch it I get emotional about the ability young kids have to overcome any obstacle," he says.

Sit back America, this could be better than the movie.