University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Men's Basketball Season Preview
11/4/2021 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Expectations are high for the Delaware men's basketball 2021-22 season, which begins in less than a week.
The Blue Hens were picked first in the CAA Preseason Poll for the first time since joining the league, and had four players selected to the All-CAA Preseason teams.
"We knew we had a good group coming back. I'm a little surprised by being picked first and we have to embrace it, but we're smart enough to know that doesn't mean anything right now," said sixth-year head coach Martin Ingelsby. "We're going to chase it together, and focus on the task at hand. We're getting closer to sitting on the same bench and competing against somebody else in a real game, and our group is really excited about that."
Delaware, which returns its entire roster from last year's squad, will be led inside by Dylan Painter, a first team CAA Preseason pick. Painter earned first team All-CAA and All-District honors a year ago, when he ranked sixth in the nation with 11.5 rebounds per game. He also posted a league-high seven double-doubles and was second on the Blue Hens with a 13.5 scoring average.
Andrew Carr, who made 10 starts a year ago during his impressive freshman campaign, could also start inside for the Blue Hens. Carr averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds a year ago, and scored 39 points during the two regular season games against Hofstra.
Aleks Novakovich, who averaged 3.8 points a year ago, and Anthony Ochefu, who contributed 2.1 points, will both provide depth in the post.
The Blue Hens will feature an experienced backcourt, with Ryan Allen and Kevin Anderson both returning for their fifth years in Newark.
Allen, who earned third team All-CAA honors last season, enters the year ranked ninth in program history with 1,441 career points and needs 28 three-pointers to become UD's career leader in that category. He led the Blue Hens and ranked ninth in the CAA by pouring in 15.3 points per game in 2020-21.
Anderson, who is just 25 points shy of reaching the 1,000-point mark for his career, was third on the squad with a 12.4 scoring average last season. He finished his campaign by scoring a team-best 22 points and hitting five three-pointers against Hofstra in the CAA Tournament.
Jameer Nelson, Jr., who transferred to UD from George Washington last winter, is also expected to challenge for a starting spot in the backcourt. He averaged 8.4 points in the first seven games of last season for the Colonials.
Allen was a CAA Preseason Second Team pick, while Anderson and Nelson, Jr. were both named honorable mention.
Gianmarco Arletti, who appeared in all 15 games a year ago including a 21-point effort against Charleston, should also see plenty of minutes at the guard spot. Reggie Gardner and Logan Curtis will provide depth in the backcourt as well.
Ebby Asamaoh, who ranked second in the league and second in a UD single season with a 45.8 three-point percentage last year, returns on the wing for the Blue Hens. Jyare Davis, who starred at Sanford before sitting out as a redshirt last year at Providence, and freshman Wes Peterson will also challenge for playing time on the wing.
"We're happy with where we are," Ingelsby said. "We had a good summer and a good preseason; our guys have been working really hard. I love our group. We've got some depth, some experience, some older guys combined with some talented young guys, and some transfers that we've added. Our guys have been very focused and extremely driven. Obviously we have great aspirations of what this group can do. I'm excited to see what we can develop into, week by week and month by month."
The season gets underway Tuesday with a road game at Davidson, followed by a trip to Siena on Nov. 13. The Blue Hens host La Salle on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in their home opener, the first of 14 games they will play at the Bob Carpenter Center this season.
For the latest on the Delaware men's basketball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter and Instagram @DelawareMBB, and like "Delaware Men's Basketball" on Facebook.
The Blue Hens were picked first in the CAA Preseason Poll for the first time since joining the league, and had four players selected to the All-CAA Preseason teams.
"We knew we had a good group coming back. I'm a little surprised by being picked first and we have to embrace it, but we're smart enough to know that doesn't mean anything right now," said sixth-year head coach Martin Ingelsby. "We're going to chase it together, and focus on the task at hand. We're getting closer to sitting on the same bench and competing against somebody else in a real game, and our group is really excited about that."
Delaware, which returns its entire roster from last year's squad, will be led inside by Dylan Painter, a first team CAA Preseason pick. Painter earned first team All-CAA and All-District honors a year ago, when he ranked sixth in the nation with 11.5 rebounds per game. He also posted a league-high seven double-doubles and was second on the Blue Hens with a 13.5 scoring average.
Andrew Carr, who made 10 starts a year ago during his impressive freshman campaign, could also start inside for the Blue Hens. Carr averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds a year ago, and scored 39 points during the two regular season games against Hofstra.
Aleks Novakovich, who averaged 3.8 points a year ago, and Anthony Ochefu, who contributed 2.1 points, will both provide depth in the post.
The Blue Hens will feature an experienced backcourt, with Ryan Allen and Kevin Anderson both returning for their fifth years in Newark.
Allen, who earned third team All-CAA honors last season, enters the year ranked ninth in program history with 1,441 career points and needs 28 three-pointers to become UD's career leader in that category. He led the Blue Hens and ranked ninth in the CAA by pouring in 15.3 points per game in 2020-21.
Anderson, who is just 25 points shy of reaching the 1,000-point mark for his career, was third on the squad with a 12.4 scoring average last season. He finished his campaign by scoring a team-best 22 points and hitting five three-pointers against Hofstra in the CAA Tournament.
Jameer Nelson, Jr., who transferred to UD from George Washington last winter, is also expected to challenge for a starting spot in the backcourt. He averaged 8.4 points in the first seven games of last season for the Colonials.
Allen was a CAA Preseason Second Team pick, while Anderson and Nelson, Jr. were both named honorable mention.
Gianmarco Arletti, who appeared in all 15 games a year ago including a 21-point effort against Charleston, should also see plenty of minutes at the guard spot. Reggie Gardner and Logan Curtis will provide depth in the backcourt as well.
Ebby Asamaoh, who ranked second in the league and second in a UD single season with a 45.8 three-point percentage last year, returns on the wing for the Blue Hens. Jyare Davis, who starred at Sanford before sitting out as a redshirt last year at Providence, and freshman Wes Peterson will also challenge for playing time on the wing.
"We're happy with where we are," Ingelsby said. "We had a good summer and a good preseason; our guys have been working really hard. I love our group. We've got some depth, some experience, some older guys combined with some talented young guys, and some transfers that we've added. Our guys have been very focused and extremely driven. Obviously we have great aspirations of what this group can do. I'm excited to see what we can develop into, week by week and month by month."
The season gets underway Tuesday with a road game at Davidson, followed by a trip to Siena on Nov. 13. The Blue Hens host La Salle on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in their home opener, the first of 14 games they will play at the Bob Carpenter Center this season.
For the latest on the Delaware men's basketball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter and Instagram @DelawareMBB, and like "Delaware Men's Basketball" on Facebook.
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