Navajo Technical faces Weber State before national audience Skyhawks to showcase talent on ESPN+

WINDOW ROCK

The Navajo Technical University men’s basketball team is entering uncharted territory.

The Skyhawks will showcase their talents on national television tonight with an away game at Weber State, a Division I program. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah. The game will be televised on ESPN+, an online video streaming service.

“Having this opportunity and platform is going to be a great experience for our student-athletes,” NTU coach Robb Floco said. “I think it’s just an unbelievable (opportunity), not only for the players but for the Navajo Nation.

“Just think, two years ago, we didn’t have a basketball program, and now we’re competing against NAIAs, Division II, and with my network of being in the business for 22 years, I got the coach at Weber State to play us.”

The Skyhawks enter tonight’s matchup with a 4-7 record, losing to Westminster University (Utah) 94-72 on Saturday night.

“They’re a Division II team in the RMAC,” Floco said of Westminster. “They’re a very talented team. It was a very competitive game, and we were able to get a lot of experience out of it, so it was a good game for us.”

The Skyhawks will employ a four-guard rotation in their starting lineup, headed by sophomore Jose Miguel, who averages 14 points and five rebounds a game.

NTU has three other starters averaging double figures, with Quinn Atazhoon and Brady Ramon putting up 11 points per game. Sophomore post Joseph David is averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per clip.

“Obviously, it’s going to be very exciting,” Ramon said. “This is what coach promised us, and I’m looking forward to this game. The whole team is looking forward to this because it’s an opportunity to play a Division I team, especially on national TV.”

With a seating capacity of 11,592 at the Dee Events Center, Ramon wants to help his team overcome whatever butterflies they have.

“Last year, we played in a couple of settings like this to where we played in front of a big crowd, so there are going to be jitters,” the NTU sophomore said. “It’s my job as one of the team leaders to help my team get through that. We have to get rid of those jitters to compete at a high level.”

NTU freshman guard Albrandon Byjoe believes he’s better equipped to handle those jitters, having played in some big events before entering college.

“I’ve played in some big tournaments, so I’ve been exposed to the environment as well as the talent level we’re going to see,” Byjoe said. “I think it’s going to be more like normal to me.”

The NTU team will have its hands full against Weber State as the Wildcats enter the contest at 3-2 overall, losing a 57-55 decision to Colgate on Nov. 19.

Earlier this year, Weber State beat then-No. 23 St. Mary’s 61-57 on Nov. 12.

“They play in the Big Sky (Conference), and they play a real good non-conference schedule,” Floco said. “They have a really good player in Dillion Jones. He’s very athletic, and they have a history of guards that play in the NBA.

“He’s kind of carrying that torch as the lead guard here at Weber State,” the NTU coach added.

Jones, a junior, leads the team in scoring at 22 ppg while guard Steven Verplancken is chipping in 11.2 ppg per game.

Floco said playing the likes of Weber State is a huge undertaking, but they’re looking at it as an opportunity to grow the program.

“In an experience like this, you got to take care of things that you can take care of, which is your effort, your attitude, your hard work, and your dedication,” he said. “Those are the keys that we want to focus on. It’s not so much what Weber State is going to do. It’s about what we need to do to make sure that we have success playing against a mid-major basketball program.

“It’s a heck of a stage to be on,” he added. “We’re just looking forward to the opportunity to not only play, but to represent the Navajo Nation and NTU.”

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