Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
CAA (30-3, 18-0)
Delaware had a couple early season setbacks when superstar Elena Delle Donne was on the sidelines with an injury. After that, the lone loss suffered by the Fightin Blue Hens was to Maryland. The competition in the CAA can be tougher than many think. However, Delaware has not been seriously tested much this season and that will change in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 12/9 Princeton (59-58), 12/29 vs Villanova (59-45), 1/2 at St. John’s (60-59)
Bad Losses: 11/11 Georgetown (56-62), 11/14 at Duquesne (47-51), 12/20 Maryland (53-69)
Coach: Tina Martin
Why They Can Surprise:
Delaware’s overwhelming success begins with the versatile 6-5 Elena Delle Donne. The senior does absolutely everything for the Blue Hens. She averages 25.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and connects on 49.0 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc. Delle Donne can, and will, win games on her own, but Coach Tina Martin has plenty of other experienced players who will help out. Guard Lauren Carra and forward Danielle Parker are the other two mainstays and scoring threats for Delaware. Carra can be a tad inconsistent from beyond the arc, but she can score by attacking the basket as well. Parker is a great rebounder and she can use her 6-2 frame to battle in the paint against some strong scoring post players. Kayla Miller runs the point and has done a superb job keeping the turnovers down. The Blue Hens rank seventh in the nation with a mere 12.2 turnovers per game. With the strong rebounding of the frontcourt and the ball handling skills of the backcourt, Delaware should be able to get a few extra possessions against most opponents throughout the NCAA Tournament. And you know Delle Donne will make the most of those opportunities.
Why They Can Disappoint:
If Delle Donne is having an off day, Delaware can lose to teams they should beat. The increased toughness of competition should make things interesting as well. During the 2012 NCAA Tournament the Blue Hens were a three seed. They handled Arkansas-Little Rock with little trouble, but then faced off against 11th seeded Kansas and were sent home much earlier than many expected. This is a more experienced team and a team that has now been through the NCAA Tournament once before, but many will wonder if history could repeat itself for Delle Donne and company in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Kayla Miller, Senior, Guard, 4.0 ppg, 3.3 apg
Akeema Richards, Junior, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Lauren Carra, Senior, Guard, 11.1 ppg, 2.1 apg, 5.6 rpg
Elena Delle Donne, Senior, Forward, 25.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg
Danielle Parker, Senior, Forward, 8.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Kelsey Buchanan, Junior, Center, 1.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Trumae Lucas, Senior, Guard, 6.1 ppg, 2.1 apg, 2.1 rpg
Jaquetta May, Senior, Guard, 5.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.3 (75th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 51.2 (10, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.0 (60, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 33.6 (9, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.5 (209, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.4 (25, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.8 (45, 3)
Rebound Margin: 6.5 (32, 2)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (152, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.2 (7, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Arkansas-Little Rock
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kansas
2011 NIT Round of 64 loss to Toledo
2010 NIT Round of 64 loss to Richmond
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan State
2006 NIT First Round loss to Pittsburgh
2005 NIT First Round loss to St. John's
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
