UM basketball coach Jim Larrañaga can reach 700 wins against his alma mater Providence
After a half century in coaching, 39 as a head coach, milestones don’t get Jim Larrañaga too worked up. Not even when he has a chance to get his 700th win against his alma mater.
The Hurricanes play Providence on Saturday in the opening round of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament in Uncasville, Connecticut, and Larrañaga, a 1971 Providence graduate, said his only focus is his team improving its record to 4-0.
“People talk about milestones,” Larrañaga said. “I’ve been at this a long time. I enjoy the coaching. If I get to my 700th win, I’m hoping it will be this season. I hope I don’t have to coach another year to get to it. I’m assuming I’ll get there at some point but beating Providence anytime is an accomplishment and quite honestly, this not about me. It’s about our team being highly challenged against a team that made the Sweet 16.”
If Larrañaga, 73, reaches the milestone, he will become the 34th Division I men’s coach with 700 wins and the ninth active coach on the list.
His UM players are determined to get their beloved coach the win.
“It’s an honor to be part of Coach L’s historic run,” said Miami guard Bensley Joseph. “He’s a legendary coach. He’s been doing this for a while, has seen a lot and to be one of his players is a blessing. I see him like a teacher, a preacher and I love learning from him. He loves the game. He loves us players. He wants us to be great at life and on the court.”
Guard Isaiah Wong added: “It’s an honor to be one of the players helping him get to 700.”
The Hurricanes are coming off a 26-win season and Elite Eight run. Although the team lost several veteran leaders, this year’s squad is undefeated, and all three wins have been by double digits.
Providence is also 3-0 and will pose the most difficult challenge the Canes have faced thus far. The Friars will also have the home court advantage, as the Providence campus is an hour drive from the tournament venue.
Larrañaga has great memories of his days as a Friar. He was captain as a senior in 1970-71, graduated with an Economics degree and was the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,258 points.
When UM’s media relations director informed Larrañaga that he had a triple double against VCU in 1969 with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists, he asked for proof to show his grandchildren, whom he said “laugh hysterically” when they see photos of him playing in short shorts with a belt buckle.
“My grandkids think there were no good players back then,” he said, smiling.