Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
CAA (25-9, 14-2)
Most thought that the Delaware backcourt would be good, but that it would not be enough to get the Blue Hens competing for a CAA title. After an up and down non-conference slate, Delaware won their first 11 conference games and cruised to a 14-2 record in Colonial play and won an outright title. The backcourt is that good and the frontcourt did find one player to score on occasion.
Big Wins: 12/21 vs Bryant (108-107), 1/29 at William & Mary (89-72), 3/10 vs William & Mary (75-74)
Bad Losses: 11/10 Charleston Southern (69-71), 12/30 at St. Bonaventure (73-80), 2/23 Drexel (65-69)
Coach: Monte Ross (8 seasons at Delaware)
Why They Can Surprise:
It is tough to defend a team with so many scorers. The backcourt quartet of Devon Saddler, Davon Usher, Jarvis Threatt and Kyle Anderson are virtually unstoppable. Saddler leads the way with 19.7 points per game, while Usher adds 19.4 Usher and Anderson are the biggest three-point shooting threats, while Threatt makes things happen on both ends of the floor. Usher and Threatt can both make a living at the free-throw line and there is no way to contain all four of Delaware’s talented perimeter players.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The high scoring Blue Hens offense can slow down when shots are not falling, but that usually only happens when forward Carl Baptiste is not creating space for the shooters. Often surrounded by four guards, there is a lot of pressure on Baptiste on both ends of the floor. While the offense will usually make due even if Baptiste is shut down by an opposing big man, the defense does not have that luxury. Baptiste must at least remain a presence in the paint. Freshmen Marvin King-Davis and Devonne Pinkard are options for Coach Monte Ross in the frontcourt when this team needs to play a bit bigger.
Probable Starters:
Jarvis Threatt, Junior, Guard, 18.1 ppg, 5.6 apg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 spg
Devon Saddler, Senior, Guard, 19.7 ppg, 3.6 apg
Kyle Anderson, Junior, Guard, 11.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Davon Usher, Senior, Guard, 19.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Carl Baptiste, Senior, Forward, 11.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Cazmon Hayes, Freshman, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Marvin King-Davis, Sophomore, Forward, 5.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Devonne Pinkard, Freshman, Forward, 2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.7 (22nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 75.2 (297, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.7 (155, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.8 (182, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (81, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.6 (156, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (153, 2)
Rebound Margin: -2.5 (270, 8)
Assists Per Game: 10.8 (304, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 9.7 (9, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 CBI First Round loss to Butler
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
