3:05 p.m., Oct. 31, 2008----The tip-off of the 2008-09 University of Delaware basketball season is drawing near, and Blue Hen fans are reminded that season, group and single game tickets are available.

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The UD men's team has been picked fifth and the women's team seventh in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason polls.

Both teams will open regular season play on Sunday, Nov. 16, at home at the Bob Carpenter Center. The UD women's team will face Columbia University at noon, and the men's team will take on Rutgers University of the Big East Conference at 4 p.m.

Season ticket packages can be purchased at the Delaware Field House season ticket office, or by calling (302) 831-2257. Ticket packages for the men's games range from $123-$210 and packages for the women's games range from $70-$150. Combination season tickets for both teams range from $174-$255.

Single game tickets range from $11-$15 for men's games and are $9 for women's games, with special prices for children of $7 for men's games and $6 for women's games. Single game tickets are available at the Bob Carpenter Center ticket office and the Trabant University Center ticket office, or through Ticketmaster.

A variety of special group promotions are being offered this season, including birthday party packages for kids, a unique opportunity to “high five” the team as they take the court, and a special chance to perform/scrimmage at halftime.

The “Hens High Five Tunnel” gives youth groups of 35 or more the opportunity to create a tunnel, and high five the Blue Hens as they take the court. Groups also receive recognition on the scoreboard and a photograph on the Bob Carpenter Center floor.

Groups of 50 or more can participate in a halftime performance or scrimmage, enjoy discounted ticket rates, group recognition on the scoreboard and a group photograph on the BCC floor.

The birthday party package for children is for a minimum party of 10 people (2 adults and 8 children), and includes a ticket to the game, a food voucher and recognition on the scoreboard.

For more information on these group opportunities, call (302) 831-8961.

The UD men's team will be led by senior guard Marc Egerson, who has been named first team All-CAA in preseason balloting. Egerson scored 13.4 points and had 6.9 rebounds per game last season, and was among the conference leaders in rebounds, minutes played, free throw percentage, assists, points and assist-to-turnover ratio.

UD is rich at the guard position this season. Also back are sophomore Alphonso Dawson, a CAA All-Rookie Team selection who scored 11 points per game, and junior point guard Brian Johnson, who averaged 9.5 points and 5.19 assists per game, the latter second in the CAA. This will be Johnson's third consecutive season running the point.

Joining them in the backcourt will be Jawan Carter, a sophomore transfer from St. Joseph's University. Carter sat out last season following his transfer but in 2006-07 was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie team after hitting 38 three-point shots.

Sophomore guards D.J. Boney and Edwin Santiago also return. Both averaged more than 4 points per game last season coming off the bench.

Senior Jim Ledsome, who averaged 5.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game a year ago, returns to lead the frontcourt and will have solid support from promising 6-9 freshman Adam Pegg from Clearwater, Fla.

Senior Pau Geli and 6-4 freshman Brian Kelly of Clark, N.J., will provide backup support.

The UD women's team loses energetic guard Kyle DeHaven, who was the team's leading scorer and the CAA defensive player of the year.

Sophomore Vanessa Kabongo is expected to start in the UD backcourt after averaging 6.6 points per game during her freshman season. She will be joined by junior Corinthia Benison, who also averaged 6.6 points.

Also back is sophomore guard Tesia Harris, who averaged 5.4 points. Harris, who steadily improved through her freshman season, sank a game-winning three-point shot in the Hens' 54-53 victory over Hofstra.

Sophomore Ariene Jenkins will lead the UD frontcourt after staring 20 games last season. She averaged 5.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Junior Farrah Ferguson and sophomore Eva Riddick also are expected to see increased roles in the frontcourt.

New to the team are freshmen guards Jocelyn Bailey of Kensington, Md., and The Bullis School, and Meghan McLean of Pittsburgh and Upper St. Clair High School, 6-2 forward Danielle Parker of Phoenix, Md., and Dulaney High School, and 6-3 center Jasmine Gibson of New Castle and the Sanford School.