NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware men’s and women’s basketball teams each officially open their 2007-08 seasons on Friday when they begin practices at the Bob Carpenter Center.

The Blue Hen women’s team will practice from 7-9 p.m. at the BCC, followed by the men from 9-10:30 p.m. Both teams will generally practice between 2:30 and 8 p.m. most weekdays at the Carpenter Center. Practices are open to the public.

The Delaware women are coming off a 26-6 season in which the Blue Hens tied a school record for wins in a season and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Led by 11th-year head coach Tina Martin, Delaware returns two starters and seven letterwinners for the 2007-08 season.

The Blue Hens will be paced by senior point guard Kyle DeHaven, a Colonial Athletic Association All-Defensive Team selection a year ago who started 13 games. DeHaven, who averaged 8.5 points per game, led the team with 106 assists and 99 steals. She ranked 11th in the nation in steals per game and set a school record by recording nine steals against Boston University. Fellow senior Courtney Irving, who started 19 games last season, also returns after averaging 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds during her junior campaign.

The Blue Hen men’s team went just 5-26 last season but returns four starters to go with three transfers and four freshmen as Delaware will feature a much deeper roster. UD, under second year head coach Monté Ross, will be led by senior forward Herb Courtney (above), a second team All-CAA selection a year ago. Courtney, who led the CAA with 10 double-doubles, averaged team-highs of 18.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while starting all 31 contests.

Fellow seniors Henry Olawoye, who averaged 2.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, and Sam McMahon, who ranked second on the team with 10.4 points and 4.5 boards a contest while starting the final 22 games, also return for the Blue Hens. Sophomore point guard Brian Johnson, a CAA All-Rookie Team selection in 2006-07, will lead the UD backcourt after starting 31 games, averaging 9.6 points, and leading the team with 130 assists during his freshman campaign.

The Delaware women open their season Friday, November 9 when the Blue Hens host Delaware State at 8 p.m. at the Carpenter Center in a WNIT Tournament first round game. The Blue Hen men open at Marist on Sunday, November 11 with a 4 p.m. game with the Red Foxes.