Tim Burns was one of the top three-point shooters off the bench for the Patriots. His brother Ross, has a Final Four ring as well, playing for UMass in 1996. He is currently working in New York City. GoMason.com caught up with Tim for a Q&A.
Q. Do you keep in touch with your Mason teammates?
A. Yes I text, whatsapp with them and talk on the phone. Those are my brothers.
Q. Do you keep in touch with the coaches?
A. Yes I keep in touch with all of the coaches via text and phone.
Q. What have you been doing since you graduated?
A. Since graduation I have focused on basketball training for players of all ages, from young kids to NBA Players. I have also worked on youth development and non-profit basketball programs in NYC.
Q. Do you still get recognized as a member of the 2006 Mason team?
A. Yes I would say about once every couple weeks somebody asks about where I played and then they ask what year I was there, followed by "was that the year...."
Q. What do you remember about Selection Sunday?
A. I remember everyone going to Coach L's house to watch as a team, and how we all went crazy when they announced our name.
Q. What memory do you have of eating at Outback in March 2006? Do you eat at Outback now and does it bring back memories?
A. I loved Outback in college, at some point it started to feel like we were overdoing it but Coach L is so superstitious and we were winning so it was cool with everyone.
Q. What are your top 3 moments from the 2006 season?
A. Tony's three off Jai's pass at Wichita State to win the bracket buster game
Time running out in OT vs UCONN in the Elite 8 running onto the court to celebrate with our fans and family
Playing in the RCA dome on Saturday night vs Florida
Q. Which pregame speech from coach Larranaga struck you the most? Why?
A. The CAA speech before the UConn game. Coach L always had great speeches that tied into the game plan, but calling us Connecticut Assassin Association was unexpected (laugh). I definitely wasn't ready for that, we were laughing but also so hyped for the game.
Q. How do you fill out your bracket in March? What's it like to now watch March Madness from your home?
A. I usually pick the teams I want to win so I can root for them during the game, it's too difficult to actually predict what is going to happen as proven by our run. Watching it now brings back a lot of memories especially when teams play in the arenas we went to (Dayton, Verizon Center, and Indianapolis) Lots of goosebumps.
Q. How do you compare Mason to other underdogs that have gone to the Final Four?
A. I think there are similarities for sure, but I feel like our situation was a little different since it happened first. The pedigree of the schools we beat on the way to the Final Four and the way we were viewed nationally prior to the tournament.
Q. Do you think the media and fans look at underdogs differently now that Mason paved the way as a double-digit seed?
A. Yes definitely, people are more aware of the potential for big upsets
Q. What do you do when you hear Bon Jovi's 'Livin on a Prayer'?
A. That song reminds me of the fans, Patriot Center (EagleBank Arena) staff, and students at Mason the most. The team always used other songs to get ready for the game and celebrate post game but that song was like our university anthem. So when I hear it I smile and think of our run.
Q. What was going through your mind when Denham Brown was dribbling down the court for the final shot? And what was the feeling or thoughts you had when it clank off the rim?
A. When he released it I wasn't sure what was going to happen, we had a chance to win it in regulation and missed free throws, but it's hard to win games like that as an underdog when you miss opportunities to close the favored team out. When it missed the first thing was to celebrate with my teammates, and then to celebrate with our families.
Q. In 2006 was there a particular music you listened to or dance during that time? I remember a lot of dancing.
A. We listened to a lot of rap music that had specific dances, the class behind me (Jordan, Folarin, Will, JV) lead the way with the dancing but everyone got energy off of it and joined in.
Q. How would you describe the 2006 run to the Final Four in one sentence?
That's really tough to do. A special experience that I was fortunate to share with my brothers and Mason.
