University of Delaware Athletics
Preseason WNIT Appearance, Home Game vs. Maryland Highlight 2012-13 Delaware Women's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
7/11/2012 6:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware women's basketball team will participate in the Preseason WNIT and will face at least four NCAA Tournament squads, including a home game against Top 10 power Maryland, as part of its 2012-13 non-conference schedule announced Wednesday.
Delaware, coming off a record-breaking season in which the Blue Hens went 31-2, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished No. 14 in the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, opens its campaign on Nov. 9 with a home game in the first round of the Preseason WNIT.
UD is guaranteed three games in the tournament, but would play four if the Blue Hens advance to the finals. Second round games will be played on Nov. 11, semifinals will be held on Nov. 14-15, and the championship is set for Nov. 18. Other teams in the Preseason WNIT field include Davidson, Duquesne, Georgetown, Grambling State, Illinois State, Iowa, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Morehead State, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, Sacred Heart, and Sam Houston. The bracket will be announced on July 17.
Delaware then hosts Providence on Tuesday, Nov. 20, before welcoming Saint Bonaventure to the Bob Carpenter Center on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The Blue Hens posted an impressive 61-49 win last season over a Bonnies squad that eventually advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.
Following a road contest at Rhode Island on Wednesday, Dec. 5, the Blue Hens return home to host another 2012 NCAA Tournament squad in Princeton on Sunday, Dec. 9. UD opened last season with an 89-53 home victory over the Rams and posted an 81-70 win over the Tigers in Princeton.
Following an 11-day break for final exams, the Blue Hens remain home to host Atlantic Coast Conference power Maryland in a highly-anticipated contest on Thursday, Dec. 20. The Terrapins, who won the ACC Tournament title last season, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, and finished the season ranked fifth, will be making their first ever trip to Newark. The game will be a rematch of last season's clash at the Comcast Center, when Maryland recorded an 85-76 win over the Blue Hens in the finals of the Terrapin Classic.
Delaware will then take part in the Dartmouth Tournament on Dec. 29-30, before closing its non-conference schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at St. John's. The Red Storm also advanced to the Sweet Sixteen this spring. The contest will be the first between Delaware and St. John's since the 2005 Postseason WNIT.
Delaware will again play 18 Colonial Athletic Association games this year, with the full schedule expected to be announced in the fall.
Additionally, the Blue Hens will be hosting the first and second rounds of the 2013 NCAA Tournament at the Bob Carpenter Center on Mar. 24-26.
