Listen Now: Morning News

WVU dancing in Delaware

Delaware guard Elena Delle Donne is an All-American who averages 25.3 points per game for the Blue Hens, champs of the Colonial Athletic Association.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.— The West Virginia women were rewarded with their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament berth Monday night, though as expected of a lower seed, they will face a difficult first-round matchup.

The Mountaineers, 11th-seeded in the Bridgeport Region, will play Sunday against sixth-seeded Delaware on the Blue Hens’ home court in Newark, Del. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Eastern and will be televised on ESPN2.

West Virginia (17-13) was on the bubble with a No. 54 RPI, so any invite was a relief. Now, after playing the nation’s 18th-toughest schedule, the Mountaineers will visit Delaware (30-3), which sits No. 18 in the RPI and owns a 23-game winning streak.

“It is good we got in,” said West Virginia coach Mike Carey. “To me that says the strength of the league, our reputation and some of the wins we had on the road. We’re happy to be in.”

The Blue Hens feature national player of the year candidate Elena Delle Donne, a 6-foot-5 guard who shoots 49 percent from 3-point range and averages 25.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

“She is a big-time player,” Carey said. “Some of their other players are very good, so you can’t just concentrate on her and let the other players have a career night. We’re going to have to be aware of where she’s at and try to do a good job on her, but also do a good job on the rest of them.”

Delaware went 13-2 at home this season, including a 62-56 loss to Georgetown on Nov. 11 — a game Delle Donne missed while recovering from Lyme disease. Delle Donne returned Dec. 20 for a 69-53 loss to national power Maryland.

“We got a really good draw,” Carey said. “We have to play on Delaware’s home floor, and that’s a good draw for us because it’s close. So hopefully we can get some fans there.”

Carey said the NCAA berth was particularly special in light of WVU losing senior center Asya Bussie and two key reserves — Akilah Bethel and Jess Harlee — to season-ending knee injuries. The Mountaineers went 9-9 in the rugged Big 12 before losing a one-point decision to Oklahoma in the league tournament.

“The players are really excited,” he said. “They were down in the team theater watching it. They are all excited and pumped up. This was a long year. We had three girls go down with ACLs and playing in a new league, so I’m very proud of them for us to make it to the NCAAs this year.”

The West Virginia-Delaware winner will advance to face either No. 3-seeded North Carolina or No. 14 seed Albany on Tuesday.

The Big 12 sent seven teams to the NCAAs, including Kansas, which finished behind WVU in the conference standings.





More WVU Sports

Sports
Greene strives for improved accuracy through extra emphasis on fundamentals, mechanics
West Virginia quarterback Garett Greene felt he could've gotten more out of the 2023 season, and his completion percentage is a major reason why.
March 27, 2024 - 7:58 pm
Sports
Photo gallery: Mountaineers conduct second practice of spring football
West Virginia was outside Wednesday morning for its second practice during the first week of spring football.
March 27, 2024 - 2:54 pm
Sports
DeVries starts with $2.8 million salary over five-year deal
Compensation for new WVU men's basketball coach increases $100,000 on annual basis.
March 27, 2024 - 1:41 pm
Sports
Jamison steals home, sparks Mountaineers in 6-2 win against Akron
West Virginia claims third straight win, improves to 15-10.
March 27, 2024 - 12:31 am


Your Comments