Ants close to playoff berth

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.Monday

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

OK, so we had to wait for Saturday's games to become final to shake down the Ants' playoff hopes going into Sunday afternoon's game at Springfield.

Although Erie beat Canton 109-88 on Saturday to stay a game ahead of the Ants, Sioux Falls lost at Iowa 96-89 and dipped into the No. 8 playoff slot.

The Skyforce (22-20) are just a half game ahead of the Ants (21-20). Should the Mad Ants win at Springfield (15-25) on Sunday, they will tie Sioux Falls for the final playoff slot.

Sioux Falls has eight games remaining, and its next game will be March 22 against Canton.

After facing Springfield, the Ants return to the Memorial Coliseum for three games in four days, beginning Thursday against Maine. The Ants will play Austin on Friday, and Rio Grande Valley on Sunday.