Ants open season Nov. 23

Mad Antics

The D-League will hold its annual national tryouts June 15 in New York. The one-day event will see 200 hopefuls in full-court games in front of team executives, coaches and scouts.Thursday

Howard, Smith work at Development League camp

Mad Ants guard Ron Howard and center Tommy Smith accepted invitations to the NBA Development League Elite Mini Camp, which started Monday and runs through Tuesday in Chicago.May 13, 2013

Record year for D-League

It wasn't only the Mad Ants that made 2012-13 their best season; the rest of the NBA Development League had a record-setting year, as well.May 1, 2013

The Mad Ants will begin their sixth season in the NBA Development League Nov. 23 when they face the Erie BayHawks at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.

The Ants will play 50 regular season games, 24 of which will be at the Coliseum.

The team's first four games will be at home and the next four will be on the road, with the first trip coming Dec. 1 when it visits Iowa.

The longest home stretch will be a five-game period from Feb. 26 to March 10, and the longest road trip will be from Jan. 12 to 27, with seven games. That stretch will include the annual NBA D-League Showcase in Reno, Nev.

The league will be divided into three conferences this season, with Fort Wayne joining Canton, Erie, Maine and Springfield in the East Conference.

The Ants, who finished last in the East Conference last season with a 14-36 record, will have a new coach in Duane Ticknor.

Last season, assistant coach Steve Gansey replaced Joey Meyer, who was released 15 games into last season. Gansey will remain with the team as assistant.

Season ticket prices begin at $99. To order, call the Mad Ants at 469-4667.