OGDEN, Utah-Thursday, Weber State men’s basketball head coach Eric Duft was named as a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award.

This award, named in honor of the former Regis (Colo.) and Kentucky head coach, is presented to the top first time head coach in Division I men’s basketball annually.

Duft led the Wildcats to an 18-15 record and an appearance in the Big Sky Conference Tournament semifinals at Boise, Idaho.

Duft is joined on the list by the following candidates:

Tobin Anderson-Fairleigh Dickinson

Chris Caputo-George Washington

Corey Gipson-Northwestern State

Michael Lewis-Ball State

Chris Markwood-Maine

Daniyal Robinson-Cleveland State

Jon Scheyer-Duke

Jerome Tang-Kansas State

Keith Urgo-Fordham