There’s almost no chance that Delaware will be the last team standing when the CAA crowns its men’s basketball champion on Monday night.

But at least the Blue Hens can try to not be the first squad out.

Ninth-seeded Delaware (12-19) will try to avoid that indignity when it faces No. 8 Hofstra (15-16) in the first game of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament today at 6 p.m.

The 10-team tourney is being played at North Charleston (S.C.) Coliseum for the first time.

“We’ve got nothing to lose,” said first-year Blue Hen coach Martin Ingelsby. “I know our guys are excited to play against them. ... We’re going to go down there with a nothing-to-lose mentality and let it rip Friday night.”

Delaware has lost in the first round of the CAA tourney each of the last two seasons since winning the conference crown in 2014.

The Hens still have a handful of seniors who were part of that championship squad in Cazmon Hayes, Devonne Pinkard and Barnett Harris. But none of those seniors are starters in a lineup that has included two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior lately.

So, with all that in mind, a tournament victory today would be an accomplishment for rebuilding Delaware.

While the Hens are 0-2 against Hofstra this season, both contests were competitive. The Pride held on for a two-point win in Newark before posting an eight-point victory on Long Island.

“I liked how we played against them and kind of controlled tempo,” said Ingelsby. “But it’s great challenge for us to be able to guard these guys. We’ve got to be as good as we’ve been all year to limit their opportunities.

“We’re 0-2 but we feel like we’ve played well and had chances to win the games.”

While a win today would be exciting for the Hens, it wouldn’t get them much of a reward. They’d have to turn around and face top-seeded UC-Wilmington at noon on Saturday.

“I would love to address that at about 8:15 on Friday night if we’re fortunate enough to advance,” said Ingelsby. “But our main focus with where we are is trying to win a game in a conference tournament.”

DSU lacrosse adds Senator

Delaware State has announced Dover High’s Kristin Moffett will join the women’s lacrosse team next season.

DSU coach Kari-Lei Maddox said she was pleased to sign a local player.

“We are happy that Kristen has chosen to keep her talents here at home,” Maddox said. “It’s a boost to our program when local kids choose to join us.  She played for my assistant coach Emily Peets  when  she (Peets)  was head coach at Dover High School.  We were very excited when Kristin reached out to possibly join our team here at DSU. I believe she will be a solid contributor to our program in the years ahead.”

Hornets, Hens square off

It may not always feel like spring this weekend, but Delaware State is slated to head to Newark for Delaware’s Bob Hannah Invitational.

The three-day event also includes Rider with two games scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Thee Hornets and Hens will play on Friday at 2:30 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The state’s two Division I programs will also play again on April 25 in Dover. Delaware leads the all-time series with DSU, 38-10.

Notes

• Wesley College baseball outfielder Trey Mears would love to keep up his current pace. In five games the Sussex Central High grad is 14-for-19 with 15 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

• Caesar Rodney High grad Seth Brosius, a junior catcher/outfielder on the York baseball team, made his 60th career start this week.

• Delmar High’s Peyton Kemp has announced a verbal commitment to Syracuse University for field hockey.