Mad Ants coach Duane Ticknor was hoping for a three-game sweep from the recent home games last Friday, Saturday and then Tuesday night. He said he would even take two out of three.

Instead, the Ants won just once, and take a 3-8 record into what will be the most brutal stretch of their D-League season.

Of the next 13 games, 10 will be on the road - a place where the Ants have yet to win.

To stay in the East Division hunt, the Ants will nearly have to go at least 7-6 or 6-7 over the next 13 games. To return home after going 3-10 or 4-9 would simply put them further behind in the standings and, at 4-9, give them a 7-17 record.

Ticknor said there was too much selfishness on the floor on Tuesday. Miles Plumlee, the product of the Indiana Pacers, was 3 of 9 from the floor for 6 points. Khris Middleton, property of the Detroit Pistons, was far worse, going 3 of 16 for 6 points.

The better players were the so-called second unit, led by Ron Howard, Sadiel Rojas, Tony Mitchell and Chris Porter. They just played harder and considerably smarter than everyone else.

So I asked Ticknor when the second unit will become the first.

"Good question," he said.