| Current: | 2023–24 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens women's basketball team |
| Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens | |
| University: | University of Delaware |
| Conference: | Coastal Athletic Association (Conference USA in 2025–26) |
| Location: | Newark, Delaware |
| Coach: | Sarah Jenkins |
| Tenure: | 2nd |
| Athletic Director: | Christine Rawak |
| Arena: | Acierno Arena at the Bob Carpenter Center |
| Capacity: | 5,000 |
| Nickname: | Blue Hens |
| H Body: | 00539F |
| H Pattern B: | _thinsidesonwhite |
| H Shorts: | 00539F |
| H Pattern S: | _blanksides2 |
| A Body: | 00539F |
| A Pattern B: | _thingoldsides |
| A Shorts: | 00539F |
| A Pattern S: | _goldsides |
| Ncaasweetsixteen: | 2013 |
| Ncaasecondround: | 2012, 2013 |
| Ncaatourneys: | 2001, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2022 |
| Conference Tournament: | ECC: 1989, 1990, 1991 America East: 2001 CAA: 2012, 2013, 2022 |
| Conference Season: | ECC: 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991 America East: 2001 CAA: 2005, 2012, 2013, 2021 |
The Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens women's basketball team is the basketball team that represents University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. The school's team currently competes in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).[1] After the 2024–25 season, Delaware will leave the CAA to join Conference USA.[2]
Delaware began play in 1971. In the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons, they went undefeated in CAA play, going 18–0 twice. They won their first ever NCAA Tournament game in 2012, beating Little Rock 73–42 before losing in the ensuing round to Kansas 70–64. They made the regional semifinals in the 2013 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament after beating West Virginia 66–53 and North Carolina 78–69 before losing to Kentucky 69–62. Elena Delle Donne played for the Blue Hens from 2009 to 2013, scoring 3,039 points, good for 9th in the all-time list.[3] As of the end of the 2020–21 season, the Fightin' Blue Hens have an all-time record of 820–552.
The Blue Hens have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times, with their 2013 Sweet Sixteen appearance being their best showing.
| Year | Seed | First round | Second round | Sweet Sixteen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 |
|
| |||
| 2007 |
|
| |||
| 2012 |
|
|
| ||
| 2013 |
|
|
|
| |
| 2022 |
|
|
The Blue Hens have appeared in the WNIT Tournament nine times, with their 2021 semifinal appearance and Charlotte Regional Championship being their best.
| Year | First round | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | George Washington 71-78 | |
| 2003 | Saint Joseph's 47-65 | |
| 2005 | St. John's 42-56 |
The 2006 Women's National Invitation Tournament expanded from 32 to 40 teams, adding an additional round of games. The 2007 tournament expanded to 48 teams, eliminating first round byes, and the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 2010.
| Year | First round | Second round | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | BYE | Pittsburgh 57-64 | |
| 2010 | Richmond 49-67 | ||
| 2011 | Toledo 55-58 | ||
| 2014 | Rutgers 61-65 | ||
| 2018 | Georgetown 57-67 |
The 2021 Women's National Invitation Tournament contracted from 64 to 32 teams, eliminating one round of the tournament.