Duane Ticknor, a minor-league coaching veteran who led the Dakota Wizards to back-to-back playoff appearances from 2007 to ’09, will be the next head coach of the Mad Ants.When: 6:30 p.m. today
Where: Reno, Nev.
Records: Mad Ants 6-11, Bakersfield 9-7
Web:
Mad Ants leaders: Ron Howard (21 ppg), Jarrid Famous (10.1 rpg), Walker Russell Jr. (9.1 apg)
Bakersfield leaders: Osiris Eldridge (16.8 ppg), Solomon Alabi (12.3 rpg), Jeremy Wise (6.1 apg)
Key matchup: Now that the Mad Ants have jettisoned the often-injured Chris Hunter and have picked up 6-foot-11 Jarrid Famous in a trade with Iowa, the Ants have a consistent inside presence, which is good, considering they’ll be going against 7-1 Alabi, who is among the leading rebounders in the D-League.
The skinny: According to new coach Steve Gansey after his team’s win over Canton on Saturday, the Ants have never won a game in the D-League Showcase, and he hopes to change that either tonight or Thursday, when the Ants play again. … Gansey stepped in late last week to replace the fired Joey Meyer. Gansey lost at Canton on Friday, then came back home Saturday for his first win. There seemed to be a pep in everyone’s step in that game Saturday. Watch to see how long it lasts.
