How Delaware State University Basketball Is Building a Championship Contender
I remember the first time I walked into Memorial Hall Gymnasium and felt that distinct energy that only exists in programs on the verge of something special. Delaware State University's basketball program has been quietly building something remarkable, and as someone who's followed college basketball for over two decades, I can tell you this isn't your typical mid-major rebuild story. What's happening here feels different, more intentional, and frankly, more exciting than anything I've seen from this program in recent memory.
The transformation really began when coach Stan Waterman took over the program in 2021. I've been tracking his progress closely, and the numbers tell part of the story - from 2 wins in his first season to 6 wins last year, and now sitting at 8 wins already this season with conference play just heating up. But statistics only reveal so much. What's more telling is how players have developed under his system, particularly the emergence of Adrian Nocum as a legitimate force in the MEAC conference. I was watching their game against Norfolk State last month when something clicked for me. There was a moment when Waterman called a timeout, and as he drew up the play, you could see the entire team leaning in, completely locked in. That level of engagement, that buy-in from every player on the roster - that's championship DNA in the making.
When you look at how they're building this contender, it's clear they're taking a page from successful mid-major programs like Gonzaga and Virginia Commonwealth University. They're not trying to out-recruit the blue bloods for five-star prospects. Instead, they're finding diamonds in the rough and developing them over three, four years. Take Adrian Nocum, for example. I remember watching his high school tape and thinking he had potential, but I never imagined he'd develop into the team's leading scorer so quickly. His improvement from last season to this one has been nothing short of remarkable - his scoring average jumped from 7.2 points per game to nearly 16, and his three-point percentage climbed from 32% to over 41%. Those aren't just incremental improvements; that's a player transforming his game entirely.
What really struck me during my conversations with people close to the program was how often Nocum's name came up in discussions about their championship aspirations. There was this one moment that stuck with me - when assistant coach Jason Meneses was discussing the team's offensive weapons, and as soon as someone mentioned Nocum's name, Meneses immediately nodded in agreement with this knowing smile. It was one of those unspoken acknowledgments that said everything about Nocum's importance to their system. That kind of organic recognition from within the program speaks volumes about how players are valued here.
The culture they're building extends beyond just player development. I've noticed they're doing something quite innovative with their scheduling strategy. Rather than loading up on guarantee games against power conference opponents that drain confidence, they're playing a more balanced schedule that allows the team to build momentum. They've already matched their win total from last season by early January, and that early success is creating a belief that's becoming self-reinforcing. You can see it in how they close out games now compared to last season - there's a poise and confidence that championship contenders develop, and it's starting to show in tight situations.
From my perspective, what makes Delaware State's build so compelling is their commitment to both immediate competitiveness and long-term sustainability. They're not taking shortcuts that could jeopardize the program's future, but they're also not accepting the traditional mid-major timeline of waiting years to become relevant. The recruitment of local talent has been particularly smart - keeping Delaware's best players home creates community investment that pays dividends beyond just wins and losses. I've spoken with several local business owners near campus who've started attending games regularly because they recognize players from local high schools. That community connection matters more than people realize when building a championship culture.
The facilities upgrades have been another crucial piece of this puzzle. The investment in Memorial Hall might not seem significant to outsiders, but having covered college basketball for years, I can tell you that these improvements - from the new weight room equipment to the upgraded film study rooms - make a real difference in player development and recruitment. I walked through the facility last month and was genuinely impressed by how they've maximized their resources. It's not Duke's facilities, but it's clean, professional, and clearly designed with player development in mind.
As we look toward the MEAC tournament in March, I genuinely believe Delaware State has a legitimate shot at making noise. They're currently sitting third in the conference standings, but the gap between them and the top teams is much smaller than it was last season. Their defensive efficiency has improved dramatically - they're holding opponents to under 42% shooting compared to nearly 48% last season. That kind of defensive commitment typically translates well to tournament settings where every possession matters. I'm particularly excited to see how their backcourt, led by Nocum, matches up against the conference's elite guards come tournament time.
What Delaware State is building goes beyond just winning basketball games. They're creating an identity, a style of play that fans can recognize and connect with. They play with pace, share the ball beautifully - averaging 14 assists per game compared to just 9 last season - and compete on every possession. In an era where mid-major programs often struggle to maintain consistency, the Hornets are building something sustainable. It might not happen this year, but mark my words - within the next two seasons, Delaware State will be cutting down nets and dancing in March. The foundation is there, the culture is growing, and most importantly, the players believe. And in college basketball, belief might be the most powerful recruiting tool of all.
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