By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Losing talented players to the NCAA transfer portal is a very real issue for mid-major men’s basketball programs.

Delaware has lost its share of standouts.

But this season, with their entire roster opting to return from last year’s pandemic-plagued campaign, the Blue Hens have more scholarship players than they’ve ever had.

And the Colonial Athletic Association’s coaches think all that available talent makes Delaware the favorite to win the league’s title this winter.

For the first time in their history, the Hens topped the CAA coaches poll that was released this morning. Delaware hasn’t captured the CAA crown since 2014.

The Hens, though, return a nucleus of seniors in Kevin Anderson, Ryan Allen and Dylan Painter, who are all taking advantage of an extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the COVID pandemic.

Delaware played only 15 games last season, going the whole month of February without playing a game for COVID-related reasons.

The Hens have a total of 14 scholarship players plus three walk-ons on the roster in a sport that normally has a scholarship limit of 13.

The roster includes four transfers who haven’t seen action yet for Delaware. That group is led by Jameer Nelson, Jr. (George Washington) and former Sanford School standout Jayre Davis (Providence).

“Something we talk about as a staff is, we’re going to have to play more guys than we ever have,” sixth-year coach Martin Ingelsby said in July. “We have experience, we have depth. What does that look like right now? I don’t know.

“We’re going to have great competition every day in practice for guys to be able to earn those opportunities. ... For me, it’s wrapping my head around playing more guys. We have 12, 13, 14 guys that are pretty darn good basketball players.”

Delaware opens the season on Nov. 9 with a non-conference game at Davidson.