Weber State men’s basketball and their first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1980:

• The 1979-1980 Weber State men’s basketball team was coached by Neil McCarthy, who had been hired the previous year.
• The team finished the regular season with a record of 19-8, which was good enough to earn them a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
• Weber State entered the tournament as a 12th seed in the West Region and faced the 5th-seeded UCLA Bruins in the first round.
• Despite being heavy underdogs, Weber State played a competitive game against UCLA and trailed by just 4 points at halftime.
• However, UCLA pulled away in the second half and ultimately won the game by a score of 82-66, ending Weber State’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Despite the loss, Weber State’s performance in the tournament helped to establish the program on the national stage and generate excitement among fans and alumni.
• Over the years, Weber State men’s basketball has continued to be a competitive program, with multiple conference championships and numerous appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The team has also produced a number of notable players, including NBA players Damian Lillard and Joel Bolomboy.