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: 7 p.m. today
Where: Memorial Coliseum
Records: Mad Ants 8-12, Dakota 8-10
Web cast: www.fortwaynehoops.com
Mad Ants leaders: Ron Howard (21.0 ppg), Darnell Lazare (8.0 rpg), Walker Russell Jr. (9.5 apg)
Dakota leaders: Edwin Ubiles (20.3 ppg), Curtis Withers (7.4 rpg), Maurice Baker (6.4 apg)
Key matchup: Ramon Harris, the Ants’ 6-foot-7 guard/forward, had the game of his D-League life last Sunday when he hit 6 of 9 three-pointers for 20 points and had six steals. Dakota’s guards Shy Ely (6-4), Baker (6-2) and Justin Johnson (6-2) couldn’t get to Harris fast enough on the perimeter. Because Harris also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the rim, he’s a matchup problem for the Wizards tonight.
The skinny: For the first time this season, the Ants won back-to-back home games, having beaten Dakota 119-116 in overtime Sunday. New coach Steve Gansey, still considered an interim, according to team president Jeff Potter, has won three of five games in which he’s been the head coach. … The status of 6-5 guard Howard remains uncertain. Howard sat out Sunday’s game and Monday’s practice with a sprained thumb.
