Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. -- Six home games by the Blue Hen men’s team and four by the women highlight the 2009-2010 University of Delaware men’s and women’s basketball non-conference schedules announced Thursday.

Following a home exhibition game against Philadelphia University on Monday, Nov. 2, the UD men will open their campaign by hosting Atlantic 10 opponent Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12 noon. The Blue Hens will remain home on Wednesday, Nov. 18 to host Bucknell before travelling to Pennsylvania to face the Quakers at The Palestra on Saturday, Nov. 21.

After travelling to Siena on Tuesday, Nov. 24, Delaware will take on Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia Tech at The Palestra on Saturday, Nov. 28 as part of the Philly Classic. The Temple and Siena games are also part of the Philly Classic.

Delaware and Delaware State, which haven’t faced each other since the 2000-01 season, renew their in-state rivalry on Tuesday, Dec. 1 in Dover. Following a CAA game on Saturday, Dec. 5 the Blue Hens return home on Wednesday, Dec. 9 against Hampton and remain home to host Ohio University on Saturday, Dec. 12. After a road game at Vermont on Sunday, Dec. 20, Delaware faces 2009 Final Four participant Villanova at The Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

The Blue Hens then host Lafayette on Tuesday, Dec. 29 and will host an opponent to be determined on Saturday, Feb. 20 as part of the ESPNU BracketBusters.

The Delaware women will open their season with seven consecutive road games, beginning with their opener at St. Francis (Pa.) on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Following a contest at Princeton on Saturday, Nov. 21, the Blue Hens will participate in the Colorado State Tournament on Nov. 27-28 in Fort Collins, Colo.

After road games at Columbia on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and at UMBC on Saturday, Dec. 5, the Blue Hens will play their final non-conference road game on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Maine.

Delaware will play its home opener against Navy on Friday, Dec. 11 and will host La Salle on Sunday, Dec. 13. Following a nine-day break for exams, the Blue Hens will face Buffalo on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Massachusetts on Wednesday, Dec. 30, both at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Additionally, both Blue Hen teams will again play 18 games against Colonial Athletic Association opponents. Delaware will face Drexel, Hofstra, Towson, Northeastern, George Mason, William & Mary, and Old Dominion twice each. Both UD squads will also have home games against UNC Wilmington and Georgia State, as well as road games at VCU and James Madison. The CAA schedules will be released at a later date.

University of Delaware Men’s Basketball 2009-10 Non-Conference Schedule

Nov. 2 vs. Philadelphia University (exhibition); Nov. 14 vs. Temple; Nov. 18 vs. Bucknell; Nov. 21 at Pennsylvania; Nov. 24 at Siena; Nov. 28 vs. Virginia Tech (at The Palestra - Philadelphia, Pa.); Dec. 1 at Delaware State; Dec. 9 vs. Hampton; Dec. 12 vs. Ohio University; Dec. 20 at Vermont; Dec. 23 at Villanova; Dec. 29 vs. Lafayette; Feb. 20 home vs. tba (ESPNU BracketBusters).