Delaware Women's Basketball: A Division I Powerhouse

what division is university of deleware womens basketball

The University of Delaware Women's Basketball team, also known as the Blue Hens, compete in Division I of the NCAA. The team is based in Newark, Delaware, and plays its home games at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Characteristics Values
Division I
Conference USA
Nickname Blue Hens
Colors Blue and Gold
Instagram @udbluehens

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The University of Delaware's women's basketball team competes in Division I

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team, the Fightin' Blue Hens, competes in NCAA Division I. The team is based in Newark, Delaware, and its colours are blue and gold.

The Blue Hens have enjoyed some success in recent years, with the team qualifying for the Women's National Invitation Tournament in 2006 and 2007. The tournament expanded from 40 to 48 teams in 2007, adding an extra round of games. The team also took part in the 2021 tournament, which was reduced to 32 teams.

The University of Delaware has a strong athletic programme, with several of its teams competing at a high level. As well as women's basketball, the university has teams competing in NCAA Division I in sports such as field hockey, football, and baseball.

The Blue Hens women's basketball team has a loyal following and regularly competes against other top teams in the country. The team's schedule for the 2024-25 season includes the Credit Union 1 CAA Women's Basketball Championship, demonstrating the team's continued presence in Division I competition.

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The team is nicknamed the Fightin' Blue Hens

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team is nicknamed the Fightin' Blue Hens. The team has gained prominence in recent years, winning the Dad Vail Regatta lightweight freshmen event in 1993, 1994, and 2012. The varsity lightweight eight team took gold in 2013 and 2015. The Fightin' Blue Hens football teams have won six national titles, including the 2003 NCAA Division I Football Championship.

The Blue Hens compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as part of Conference USA. In 2023, the University of Delaware announced that it would begin transitioning to the Division I FBS in 2024 and officially join Conference USA in 2025. During the 2024-25 season, the team will continue to compete in both sides of the CAA.

The women's basketball team has seen success in recent years, going undefeated in CAA play in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons under head coach Tina Martin and All-American Elena Delle Donne. The 2012-13 team finished with a record of 32-4 and was ranked #15 in the final AP poll. This senior class, which included Chelsea Craig and Jaquetta May, won more games (104) than any other senior class in the history of Delaware women's basketball. They also won two CAA championships.

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team has a cumulative NCAA tournament record of 3-4. In the 2012-13 season, the Blue Hens won their first and second-round games against West Virginia (66-53) and North Carolina (78-69) before losing to Kentucky in the round of 16 (62-69). In the 2006-07 season, the team earned a bid to the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament but lost to the Michigan State Spartans in the first round.

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They play in Conference USA (CUSA)

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team, known as the Fightin' Blue Hens, competes in Conference USA (CUSA). The team has been playing since 1971 and has a strong record in recent years. In the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, they went undefeated in CAA play, with an 18-0 record across both seasons.

The Blue Hens play in Division I of the NCAA, the highest level of collegiate athletics in the US. This division is known for its highly competitive nature and the high calibre of its athletes. Being a part of Division I means that the University of Delaware's women's basketball team is able to compete against some of the best college teams in the country.

Conference USA, or CUSA, is a collegiate athletic conference that is made up of universities from across the country. The conference is affiliated with the NCAA and its members compete at the Division I level. CUSA was founded in 1995 and has since grown to include a diverse range of institutions, both public and private. The conference is committed to providing its athletes with a competitive platform and a well-rounded educational experience.

As a member of CUSA, the University of Delaware's women's basketball team competes against other universities in the conference on a regular basis. This includes teams such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Florida International University, and Middle Tennessee State University, to name a few. Playing in CUSA allows the Blue Hens to test themselves against a variety of opponents and build a strong reputation within the conference.

The Blue Hens' membership in CUSA also has implications for their post-season aspirations. The conference receives automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament, which means that the Blue Hens have a direct pathway to competing at the highest level. Their performance in Conference USA can directly impact their seeding and overall chances in the NCAA Tournament, making their regular-season performance all the more important.

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The team began competing in 1971

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team, known as the Fightin' Blue Hens, started competing in 1971. The team is based in Newark, Delaware, and currently plays in Conference USA (CUSA).

The Fightin' Blue Hens enjoyed a successful 2011-12 season, going undefeated in CAA play with an 18-0 record. They continued their winning streak into the 2012-13 season, again finishing undefeated in CAA play with an 18-0 record. In 2012, they won their first NCAA Tournament game, defeating Little Rock by a score of 73-42. They then lost to Kansas in the next round, 70-64.

The team made it to the regional semifinals of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. They beat West Virginia 66-53 and North Carolina 78-69 but were then defeated by Kentucky with a score of 69-62.

The Fightin' Blue Hens have also participated in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. This tournament expanded in 2006 and 2007, adding more teams and eliminating first-round byes. However, in 2021, the tournament contracted, reducing the number of teams and eliminating one round.

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They won their first NCAA Tournament game in 2012

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team, the Fightin' Blue Hens, compete in NCAA Division I. The Blue Hens have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times, with their Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2013 being their best showing.

In the 2011-12 season, the Blue Hens went undefeated in CAA play under head coach Tina Martin and All-American and future two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne. They won the CAA tournament, qualifying for the NCAA tournament. This was the team's third appearance in the NCAA tournament. In the first round, they faced Arkansas–Little Rock, winning 73-42. This was the first victory by a Delaware women's team in NCAA tournament history. In the second round, they faced Kansas and won 70-64. This impressive run demonstrates the team's strength and determination, making their first NCAA Tournament win in 2012 a memorable moment in the history of the University of Delaware's women's basketball program.

The 2012-13 team continued their success, finishing with a remarkable 32-4 record and a #15 ranking in the final AP poll. They repeated their CAA tournament victory and advanced to the NCAA Tournament once more. In the 2013 NCAA Tournament, they defeated West Virginia 66-53 in the first round and North Carolina 78-69 in the second round. Unfortunately, their journey ended in the round of 16 with a close 69-62 loss to Kentucky.

The University of Delaware's women's basketball team has achieved notable success, with their first NCAA Tournament victory in 2012 being a significant milestone. The team's strong performances and determination have contributed to their growing legacy, and their achievements continue to inspire and motivate future generations of athletes.

The Fightin' Blue Hens have brought pride and recognition to the University of Delaware, and their success in women's basketball has helped pave the way for future accomplishments. The team's dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit have not only left a lasting impact on the university but have also inspired young athletes across the country.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Delaware Women's Basketball team, also known as the Fightin' Blue Hens, competes in Division I.

They play in the CAA conference.

The team colours are blue and gold.

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