Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

DATE: September 2, 2009

NEWARK, Del. -- Fifteen home games and contests against Atlantic 10, Big East, and Atlantic Coast Conference opponents highlight the 2009-2010 University of Delaware men’s basketball schedule announced Wednesday.

The Blue Hens, who host Philadelpha University in an exhibition game on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., open their regular season by hosting Temple at the Bob Carpenter Center on Saturday, November 14 at 12 noon. Delaware remains home on Nov. 18 to host Bucknell at 7 p.m. in a return game from last season's ESPNU BracketBusters contest in Lewisburg, Pa.

UD will play its first of two games at The Palestra on Nov. 21 when the Hens take on Pennsylvania, and three days later Delaware travels to Siena for a 7 p.m. contest with the Saints on Nov. 24. The Temple and Siena games are both a part of the Philly Hoop Group Classic, as well as the Blue Hens’ contest against ACC foe Virginia Tech at The Palestra on Nov. 28 at 6:15 p.m.

Delaware and Delaware State, which haven’t faced each other since the 2000-01 season, renew their in-state rivalry on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Dover. The Blue Hens will open CAA action in Norfolk, Va. for the second consecutive season, as UD travels to Old Dominion on Dec. 5. Delaware then returns home to host Hampton on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Ohio University on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m before a week-long break for final exams.

Following a road game at former America East Conference rival Vermont on Dec. 20 at 1 p.m., the Blue Hens will face their toughest test of the season on Dec. 23 when UD takes on 2009 Final Four participant Villanova at The Pavilion. Delaware wraps up the calendar year on Dec. 29 as the Hens host Lafayette at the Carpenter Center at 7 p.m.

UD plays its first CAA home game on Jan. 2 when the Blue Hens host long-time rival Drexel at 2 p.m., and after a road game at James Madison on Jan. 4, Delaware welcomes William & Mary to the BCC for a 7 p.m. contest on Jan. 6.

Following a pair of challenging road games at VCU on Jan. 9 and Northeastern on Jan. 13, Delaware opens a three-game homestand against Towson on Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. The Blue Hens also host Old Dominion on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. and Georgia State on Jan. 23 as UD will go 13 days in between road games.

Delaware travels to George Mason on Jan. 27 and Hofstra on Jan. 30, before the Hens return home to host Northeastern on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. and UNC Wilmington on Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

Following a pair of road games at William & Mary on Feb. 10 and Drexel on Feb. 13, Delaware opens another three-game homestand against Hofstra on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. After a home game in the ESPNU BracketBusters on Feb. 20, the Hens wrap up their home schedule by hosting George Mason on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. UD’s regular season concludes on Feb. 27 at Towson, and the Hens will compete in the CAA Championships from Mar. 5-8 at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va.

Dates and times of the Blue Hens’ conference games are subject to change based on the league’s television schedule, which is not expected to be finalized until October.

University of Delaware Men’s Basketball 2009-10 Schedule

Nov. 2 vs. Philadelphia University (exhibition), 7 p.m.; Nov. 14 vs. Temple, 12 noon; Nov. 18 vs. Bucknell, 7 p.m.; Nov. 21 at Pennsylvania, tba; Nov. 24 at Siena, 7 p.m.; Nov. 28 vs. Virginia Tech (at The Palestra - Philadelphia, Pa.), 6:15 p.m.; Dec. 1 at Delaware State, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 5 at *Old Dominion, tba; Dec. 9 vs. Hampton, 7 p.m.; Dec. 12 vs. Ohio University, 2 p.m.; Dec. 20 at Vermont, 1 p.m.; Dec. 23 at Villanova, 7 p.m.; Dec. 29 vs. Lafayette, 7 p.m.; Jan. 2 vs. *Drexel, 2 p.m.; Jan. 4 at *James Madison, tba; Jan. 6 vs. *William & Mary, 7 p.m.; Jan. 9 at *VCU, tba; Jan. 13 at *Northeastern, tba; Jan. 16 vs. *Towson, 2 p.m.; Jan. 20 vs. *Old Dominion, 7 p.m.; Jan. 23 vs. *Georgia State, 2 p.m.; Jan. 27 at *George Mason, tba; Jan. 30 at *Hofstra, tba; Feb. 3 vs. *Northeastern, 7 p.m.; Feb. 6 vs. *UNC Wilmington, 2 p.m.; Feb. 10 at *William & Mary, tba; Feb. 13 at *Drexel, tba; Feb. 16 vs. *Hofstra, 7 p.m.; Feb. 20 vs. ESPNU Bracketbusters, 2 p.m.; Feb. 24 vs. *George Mason, 7 p.m.; Feb. 27 at *Towson, tba; Mar. 5-8 at CAA Championships, Richmond, Va.