2024 Schedule

[LILax]

The Hens are traditionally very late getting their schedule out, but there are a few teams that have confirmed out-of-conference games with the Hens (Penn, Villanova and Syracuse).

The Hens are most likely going to play weekend games against Syracuse, Penn, Villanova and Michigan (although the actual dates are just guesses except for Penn). I would assume that they will have two midweek games, maybe against Lafayette and UMBC. They have played Mt. St. Mary's every year for the past 12 years, but I believe that will end since Coach Gravante was fired.

My best guess:

Sat 2/17 @Syracuse (Carrier Dome)
Tues 2/20 LAFAYETTE
Sat 2/24 @Penn
Sat 3/2 @Villanova
Tues 3/5 UMBC
Sat 3/9 @Michigan

CAA schedule (Home - Towson, Stony Brook and Hofstra Away - Drexel, Fairfield, Hampton, Monmouth)

Sat 3/16 CAA
Sat 3/23 CAA
Sat 3/30 CAA
Sat 4/6 CAA
Sat 4/13 CAA
Sat 4/20 CAA
Sat 4/27 CAA

The tough OOC games will be played on the road and the tough CAA games (Towson, Stony Brook and Hofstra) will be played at home. Penn, Syracuse, Villanova and Michigan are all expected to be top 20 teams. There are probably no top 20 CAA teams, so their schedule will not help them get an at-large bid unless they beat at least two of the top 20 teams. I think this is another year when they will have to win the CAA championship to get into the NCAA tournament. The CAA is not very good. But this might be the Hens last year in the conference if the football team splits.

The Hens and Stony Brook will most likely be the top picks to win the conference.

Hopefully, we will get the actual schedule shortly.

[UD '01 grad]

Syracuse is a great matchup against a traditional power though I think they've had some down years recently. Would be a great measuring stick to start the year.

[dchen]

From above:

But this might be the Hens last year in the conference if the football team splits.

So much is up in the air but I can see two situations where MLAX remains in the CAA:

1. If CUSA, Hens may not want to fly non revenue teams as far as TX and NM so they remain in CAA
2. If the MAC - they don't sponsor MLAX.

[LILax]

From above:

But this might be the Hens last year in the conference if the football team splits.

So much is up in the air but I can see two situations where MLAX remains in the CAA:

1. If CUSA, Hens may not want to fly non revenue teams as far as TX and NM so they remain in CAA
2. If the MAC - they don't sponsor MLAX.

I have a strong suspicion that if the Hens move to the CUSA, DeLuca might see this as an opportunity to upgrade conferences as well. They could very well stay in the CAA but I think they will look to move to the Atlantic 10 where they would compete with Richmond, St. Joseph's, UMass, Hobart, High Point and St. Bonnies.

If they remain in the CAA they can forget ever getting an at-large bid or avoiding a play-in game. Playing 6 conference games against teams that have been ranked from 30-74 (in recent years) out of 74 teams kills their RPI rating.

[dchen]

LL:

The Big East and Big 10 are at the 6 AQ minimum and the ACC is at 5 so no AQ. The Big East and the Big 10 achieve the AQ using 1 associate member each: Denver and Hopkins, respectively. If more western US schools add teams might Denver someday team up with Utah and Air Force and others to form a western conference to cut down on their travel? Or might Hopkins opt for the ACC? They will likely always find a way to continue to play UMD. Might either conference want to add Delaware to protect their potential loss of an AQ?

Or, if I dare to dream, could Delaware find its way to the ACC for MLAX? We have been competitive with Duke and UNC in recent years.

On the women side, all of these leagues are well stocked with members so no AQ urgencies there.