Ants Trade for Raivio

With the loss of Walker Russell, Jr. to China, the Mad Ants made a trade today to shore up their point guard position by acquiring Derek Raivio in a three team deal between the Austin Toros, Erie Bayhawks, and Ants.

Raivio has not seen a ton of time sitting behind former All Star Blake Ahearn, but he has seen success throughout his career. The former C0-WCC Player of the Year at Gonzaga has been playing his best basketball in the month of February.

He will come to help carry the post-Russell point guard duties with Carlos English who has a real opportunity to demonstrate that it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog. Carlos has ability, and we will need him to demonstrate it now with Walker gone. In fact, we will need them both to demonstrate it as we head into the final stretch of the season battling it out with 4 or 5 other teams in the playoff hunt.

Should be fun!

A Win, and a Loss

Folks, it was a pretty good weekend when you look at some of the adversity the team faced. The had a nightmare travel day on the way out there that saw them arriving in Bismarck, North Dakota a few hours before the game despite leaving the day before the game. The lost that first game, although they played hard, because they just didn't have the energy in my opinion to get over the hump.

Yesterday saw them playing a much better game and the team was able to get the split with Dakota. Darnell Lazare was a beast in the middle with 26 points and 8 boards. Wayne Chism continues to improve his play for the team with 13 points and 11 boards. Chris Kramer had a great game with 17 points on 5 of 6 shooting, and Rod Wilmont really set a great tone with his defensive effort.

Walker Russell, Jr. had his usual stellar performance with 24 points and 8 assists, but we also received some bad news about Walker after the game. Walker got a great offer to go and play in China, and the money was just too good for him to pass up. Tough loss for us, but good for Walker and his family. I am currently working on bringing in someone to help with this loss. I will update the blog as soon as possible when and if something happens.

Saturday Game Update

Looks like it is going to be a tough one for the Mad Ants tonight. The poor guys have been traveling for over 30 hours to try and get to Bismarck. They couldn't make their flight in Indy due to weather, and that about killed it for yesterday -- there are very few flights in and out of Bismarck. Today they had to fly to Dulles to get to Chicago and only arrived to Bismarck a couple of hours ago. On top of that, Larry Sanders was recalled yesterday due to an injury to one of the Bucks big men. So, the team has every excuse to lose, but I am hoping they will demonstrate some real guts and pull this out. We will see in one hour!

A Pleasant Evening

All day yesterday, I thought how nice it would be if our guys could make last night's game and not leave the outcome in doubt. Well, that is exactly what we got, and it could not have come at a better time. The Ants jumped out to an early 11-2 lead and never looked back. Rod Wilmont and Wayne Chism were the catalysts for our hot start. Rod hit three quick jumpers -- including two three pointers -- and provided some stifling defense to help get the team off and running. From there, Wayne Chism went to work. Coming in for a foul plagued Larry Sanders, Wayne put together his best basketball of the year as he scored 9 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the first quarter.

It was really all over from there, as every member of the team contributed to the 23 point victory. It was very encouraging to see Wayne play so well, because we are going to need consistent efforts like that once Sanders leaves back to the NBA and the Bucks. Wayne has the size, strength, and athleticism to be one of the better bigs in this league, but he will have to put together consistent efforts like last night to get there. If he does, watch out -- he will be a call up candidate.

As for the rest of the team, the usual suspects were there playing well -- Marvin Phillips, Corey Allmond, Wilmont, Walker, Kramer, Whitman, Lazare, Kent, Sanders, and Carlos English all contributed to a great win.

Now comes the hard part. The team has put themselves a half game out of the playoffs going into two tough games in Dakota. The guys really have to bear down, rely on each other, execute their offensive and defensive systems, and bring home some wins from the road. They are good enough, and if they continue to play together, play unselfishly, and play smart, I think they can continue to string together wins and put us in a great spot to win our first playoff spot.

Skin of Our Teeth

I think that is a pretty apt description of how we escaped with a win last night. It looked like we had no energy, no enthusiasm for three quarters last night, but the guys kept things close and were able to extend it to OT, where the guys took control.

I think there is always a transition period when you add someone like Larry Sanders from the NBA. The way this league works is that those guys have to play (especially we want them to play if we are going to keep receiving these NBA assignments), and the result of that is that guys who have been here and been getting minutes lose them. Wayne Chism and Anthony Kent were the clear victims of that last night, as they played few minutes. But, that is the way it goes, and, as well as Larry played, Joey would be crazy to not get as many minutes from him as he can while he is down here.

As for the game, I was really impressed with Rod Wilmont. He played his tail off on both ends of the court, and he hit the two big jumpers in OT to get us off to a quick lead after diving for the ball at the end of regulation to force overtime. Darnell Lazare is rock solid for us down low, and he continues to impress with a variety of post moves to help him score. Corey Allmond continues to gain in confidence and provide a perimeter threat in the game, and he hit the monster three to push the game into OT. Finally, Larry Sanders is clearly the best player we have ever had assigned to us. He was a huge deterrent in the middle, and he did a great job on the board.

We have another game tonight, and let's hope our guys come out and become the hammer, not the nail, from the very beginning. We need Walker to dictate tempo and keep them on their heels the entire time. Hope to see you out there tonight!

All Star Break and Larry Sanders

Just back from the all star game in LA where we had some league wide meetings. The meetings were productive, and the upside of this league continues to grow, in my estimation.

Also was able to see Walker Russell, Jr. play in the all star game, and I could not be more proud of the way he played or the way he represented all Mad Ants fans. He scored 9 points, had 10 assists, and was on ESPN Sportscenter top plays with his picture perfect alley oop pass to Patrick Ewing, Jr. Great to see him getting some national recognition!

The guys are about to practice, and we will be adding a new player in Larry Sanders. Larry is a 6'10 center for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he will be down for a few games to get him some more run to help his development. Where Larry excels is on the defensive end of the court, where he blocks shots very well. And he can also dunk it quite well. So, obviously, we are hoping for some good things from Larry during his stay down in Fort Wayne, and I hope he gets a lot out of it as well.

I Don't Have a Good Title For This Post

Back from Reno, and I really don't have a ton to say. At this point, it is just a broken record. The team plays well enough to win, but keeps making the same mistakes -- bad turnovers, bad shots, bad defensive rotations -- and they find a way to lose. The team has a long break from now until their next game. They need to recover some of the swagger and confidence it had early on in the season during the current week's practice. There is still a chance to make the playoffs, but not a whole lot of time.

Going to Reno

Where the mountains are white, and the best bacon in the world is only a quick 30 minute drive away. About three and half years ago, Julie, Sydney, and I went out to Tahoe for a wedding and we stayed and the Plumpjack Hotel there. It was a beautiful scene, lovely views, nice hotel, blah blah blah, but the one thing both Julie and me remember is the Plumpjack's bacon. It was so good, and I have not had any bacon that even comes close to it since. I am heading out to Reno for the games tomorrow and Saturday, and I think I am going to drive up to the Plumpjack for a little bacon.

Oh yeah, I have to talk basketball on this blog. To be honest, it has been kind of slow the past few days. The guys have been able to get some much needed practice time, and I think that is good to get some prep work in before heading into Reno. Rod Wilmont will likely not be playing the next two games due to his lacerated finger acting up, so I think we will shut him down to allow that to heal properly.

Other than that, we head out and hope to steal a couple from a very talented Reno team before we get about a week and half off for the all star break. Hope everyone is well and having a great week!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Tough night for the Mad Ants, as they lose to vastly improved Sioux Falls Skyforce. Sioux Falls is a very big team, and they pounded us on the boards. Our bigs have to do a better job rebounding, but it has to be a team effort. Our wings are offering us absolutely nothing in terms of rebounding, and it is tough for the bigs to try to take on their men and then also compete with wings like Patrick Ewing, Jr. who are flying in after rebounds.

The good news is that we have two players who really seem to be elevating their game of late, and I almost ready to add a third. Walker Russell, Jr. has been a revelation the last few games, and I am really happy to see him playing so well. The issue for him is consistency -- can he keep playing at a high level so he will be considered an elite player and possible call up candidate in this league.

Darnell Lazare is really putting a stamp on this league in the last week or so. Darnell is as talented a post player there is when it comes to foot work, but he does suffer with being a bit small for the post. He is getting past that by nicely mixing up his mid range jumper with his ability to go to the hole and finish with either hand with little hooks.

The last player, and I am not sure he is quite playing as well as he can, but Chris Kramer is starting to make his mark on this league. I think he has the ability to be one of the best in the league with his toughness, competitiveness, and his growing offensive skill. We are starting to see some of this coming together, and we sure need it to if we are going to make this push for the playoffs.

A difficult loss, but we still remain in the playoff hunt by being only a game and a half back. Everyone needs to pick up their games and coach has to look at all possible combinations to get us out of this funk.

This is Next Level

I wonder I can somehow teach our guys to do this to our opponents. It was make games much easier -- and funky! (Double click the video to get full screen)

Slowly Building

Last night was not the prettiest win, but I thought it was one of the sweetest we have seen in a while. I thought the flow of the offense was better. I really liked how Corey Allmond played and spread the court. He may have missed some shots, but I liked every one of those shots, and I loved how he communicated and competed on defense. I thought our defensive effort was much improved, but we still have to block out better, because we would not finish off the defensive possession by getting the board and it kept them in the game. With that said, they made all the stops at the end of the game to pull the game out.

Chris Kramer had his best game last night, and he continues to improve every day. It was no accident he hit that clutch three at the end of the game. He has worked diligently at that part of his game, and he is seeing the results by shooting close to 40 percent from three. Undoubtedly, we don't win without him last night.

Darnell Lazare continues to be a rock for us in the post. His professionalism is unmatched in how he prepares and plays, and I hope he continues to lift his game, because we need it.

Ryan Wittman had a very nice start last night, and I like what he brings to the team. Like Corey, teams have to account for him with his shooting, and he gave us a huge lift.

Finally, Walker Russell, Jr. showed why he is an all star. He kept us in that game, made huge shots at the end, and he then made the final play by diving into my lap out of bounds to grab the ball and make sure Austin couldn't get another shot off. That type of effort is what wins games, and it rubs off on the others. That is how players lead best. Not through words, but through doing all the little things to win games. Walker's challenge is to play at this level every night, because it is where he will have to be if he wants to achieve all the things he wants in this game.

I could mention numerous guys, but those guys jumped out at me. What I liked best is that last night seemed to be our blueprint for success when we were playing well. It is just one game, and we have to take care of business against a much improved team in Sioux Falls, but I liked what I saw last night.


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Wayne Chism

Wayne is at practice today, and he is moving pretty well. For those who don't remember, Wayne took a nasty fall in the second game in Erie or week or so back and has been out since. He will meet the docs tomorrow, and if he gets the okay, we will activate him and make him eligible for tomorrow's game.

This is good news, as he was playing well before his injury. I wouldn't expect too much from him tomorrow or the next game, but he will be a big part of our run to the playoffs as soon as he rounds back into shape.

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Oliver Lafayette Moves On, Ryan Wittman Moves In

This has potentially been in the works for the past couple of days, but Oliver Lafayette will be leaving the team to replace Allen Iverson for Besiktas in Turkey. From what I hear, it truly is an offer he cannot refuse, and we are all happy for O. He has been an exemplary player and person for the Mad Ants, and I will certainly miss him.

To replace O, I signed Ryan Wittman yesterday. Ryan is the son of former IU great Randy Wittman, but Ryan more than made a name for himself with a great career at Cornell University. Last season, he led Cornell to their first ever NCAA Tourney win last season and even made it to the Sweet 16. He is a very good shooter with very deep range, and I hope he will help us better spread the court for Walker's penetration and for the bigs down low.

Disappointing Road Trip

I dare say disappointing has been the operative word of late for this Mad Ants teams. Last night's game is a game that we flat out should not have lost. Instead of finishing a great start to the game and going home with a very good 2-1 road record on the trip, our team blows a first half lead, scores a mere 31 points while giving up 51 points, and lets Utah escape with a win when they did not have a true point guard, their best player (called up earlier in the day to the Nets), and more than one guy on their team that was 6'9. Add on the fact that they played the night before and had to travel the day of their game, and you can see why I believe that that was a game we should have won.

These types of games are becoming all to familiar in the past 10 or so games, and you can certainly add another word that should be coupled with disappointing, and that is frustrated, because I must admit that I am both of those emotions right now. I have consistently maintained that this is a good team that will snap out of it and get back to the play that saw them as one of the elite teams in this league 20 games into the season. In my experience, teams just don't do complete 180s like this. The wheels just don't fall off. However, I have to look honestly at what this team is doing.

In a mere 10 games, the team has squandered its hard earned good early record. They have failed to execute on both defense or offense. They are getting rebounded on a nightly basis. They are maddeningly inconsistent during games and have not put together a full 48 minute effort in more games that I can count. For example, last night, the team played defense, ran their plays, and thoroughly handled Utah in the first half. In the second half, they completely got away from playing any defense, they started jacking up contested jumpers, and they showed little energy when it came to running the court on either offense or defense. Indeed, these failures are all a recipe for defeat, and we have seen it way too often in the past 10-12 games.

I like to try to be honest on this blog, and I think I have done a pretty good job of that with the frank assessment you see above, but I also try to be as positive as possible here, and I think there are some reasons to still believe. It may be hard to believe, but we are still in the thick of the playoff race. Losses like last night do not help that cause, but we are still there. If we can get back on the right track and pull out another 12 games in the next 20 like we did earlier this year, we should be right there for a playoff spot. It can certainly be done, but everyone on this team has to get back to basics and start to build up their confidence by playing good, fundamental basketball on both sides of the court. If they do that, and rely on each other as a team rather than 10 individual guys trying to right the ship by themselves, I think we can go on another great end of season run.

As for our fans, I completely understand any frustrations you may have. You are all so wonderful and supportive -- especially the ones who care enough to read this lousy blog -- and you deserve a winner. I can promise you all that I am going to try to do everything I can do to deliver just that for you this season.