If you’ve been following the University of Delaware (UD) lately, you know things look different. Really different. The 2025-26 season isn't just another year of hoops in Newark; it’s a total shift in identity as the program steps into Conference USA. This isn’t a small tweak. We’re talking about new rivals, longer flights, and a brand-new level of competition that has the UD women's basketball schedule looking more like a roadmap of the southern United States than a tour of the mid-Atlantic.
Honestly, the transition from the CAA to CUSA is the biggest story in the state right now. You’ve got a team under Sarah Jenkins that is trying to find its footing while playing teams like Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky—programs that aren't exactly known for being "welcoming" to newcomers.
The Remaining 2025-26 UD Women's Basketball Schedule
Let’s get straight to the calendar. If you're planning to head to the Bob Carpenter Center or follow the Blue Hens on the road, the back half of January and all of February are absolutely packed.
Coming up fast on January 17, the Hens host Liberty. It's a massive home game. After that, they hit a brutal road stretch. On January 22, they're in Murfreesboro to face Middle Tennessee, followed by a quick turnaround on January 24 at Western Kentucky. These are historically top-tier programs. If UD wants to prove they belong in this conference, those two games in the South are where they have to make a statement.
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The end of January sees a bit of a home-stand "relief," though I use that term loosely. Missouri State visits on January 29, and FIU follows on January 31. February doesn't get any easier. You've got road trips to Kennesaw State (Feb 5) and Jacksonville State (Feb 7) before a mid-month home stretch against New Mexico State and UTEP. Basically, if you're a fan, you're going to want to clear your Saturday afternoons for the rest of the winter.
Key Matchups You Can't Miss
- January 17 vs. Liberty: Only the second time these two programs have ever met. The first was way back in 2001.
- January 22 at Middle Tennessee: This is a "welcome to the big leagues" game. The Blue Raiders are the standard-bearers in CUSA.
- February 28 vs. Middle Tennessee: The rematch in Newark. By this point, we’ll know exactly where this Blue Hens team stands in the pecking order.
- March 6 at Liberty: The regular-season finale. Every seed for the CUSA tournament will likely be on the line here.
Life in a New Conference
Moving to Conference USA changed everything about the travel. No more quick bus rides to Drexel or Towson. Now, the team is hopping on planes to El Paso and Las Cruces. That takes a toll. You can see it in the legs of the players late in the fourth quarter.
The physical nature of CUSA is also a step up. It's a "big" league. UD’s frontcourt, led by players like 6'5" sophomore Gianna Johnson and senior center Ally Carman, has been under a microscope. They’re being asked to defend the rim against teams that play a much faster, more aggressive style than what the Hens saw in the CAA.
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The Roster: Who's Actually Playing?
You can’t talk about the UD women's basketball schedule without looking at who is actually on the floor trying to execute it. Coach Sarah Jenkins has leaned heavily on experience, but the young talent is starting to bubble up.
Jiya Perry, the senior guard out of DeSoto, Texas, has been a stabilizing force. It's kinda poetic that she’s playing her final year in a conference that’s based largely in her home state. Then you have the transfers. Ella Wanzer, a grad student from Binghamton, was brought in specifically for her shooting. In a league where teams will zone you to death, having someone who can hit from the "302" (and the three-point line) is vital.
But the real "X-factor" has been the freshman class. Watch out for Kailah Correa. She’s a 5'4" guard who plays like she’s 6 feet tall. Her speed is one of the few things that has consistently translated well against the athletic defenders in CUSA.
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Home Court Advantage at The Bob
There is something special about the Bob Carpenter Center. Even with the move to a new conference, the Newark crowd remains one of the best in the region. For the Hens to have any shot at a winning record this year, they have to protect home court.
The schedule was designed to give them a fighting chance, with clusters of home games in late January and mid-February. If the community turns out, it makes a difference. These CUSA teams aren't used to the cold Delaware winters or the specific atmosphere of The Bob. It’s an advantage UD needs to exploit.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
A lot of folks thought UD would come in and dominate immediately because of their history in the CAA. That's just not how it works. Conference USA is a multi-bid league for a reason. The level of scouting is deeper, and the athletic profiles of the guards are just different.
The Blue Hens had a bit of a reality check early in January with losses to LA Tech and Sam Houston. It wasn't that they played poorly; they just weren't used to the "track meet" style of play. They're adjusting, though. You're starting to see more defensive rotations and a commitment to the transition game that wasn't as emphasized back in November.
Actionable Steps for Blue Hens Fans
- Sync Your Calendar: Don't just rely on memory. The move to CUSA means different tip-off times and game days. Check the official athletic site frequently for time changes.
- Get the ESPN+ Subscription: Almost every road game in CUSA is tucked away on ESPN+. If you want to see them play in Kentucky or Tennessee, it’s the only way.
- Watch the Standings: Unlike the CAA, where two teams usually ran away with it, CUSA is a logjam. A single win in February could jump UD from 7th to 4th place.
- Show Up for the Middle Tennessee Game: If you only go to one game this year, make it the home game against MTSU on February 28. It will be the highest level of basketball played in Newark all season.
The UD women's basketball schedule is more than just a list of dates. It's the first chapter of a new era. It’s going to be bumpy, and there will be nights where the travel fatigue shows, but the growth potential for this program in its new home is massive. The regular season ends on March 6, and then all eyes turn to Huntsville, Alabama, for the conference tournament from March 10-14. That’s where the real season begins.