TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm tips off Two Game Weekend with Bremerhaven!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Eisbaren Bremerhaven
Friday April 4, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts Eisbaren Bremerhaven in a key stretch run matchup Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Both teams have their sights set on the 8th Playoff Place and are aiming to win the five team battle for the open post season spot. With 7 games remaining, every victory counts. This weekend, both teams bring big dreams to the floor. Riding a four game winning streak, Ulm also brings the extra momentum of recent contract extensions from point guard Dru Joyce and talented forward Romeo Travis to the big games. A playoff team their first two seasons in the Bundesliga, Eisbaren Bremerhaven are a high-level team who have added talented players throughout the year and won their way to the Top4 Tournament in Hamburg. Friday night, playoff dreams collide at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Ulm point guard Dru Joyce recently extended his contract and is focused to lead his team to a strong stretch.
Bremerhaven enters Fridays game at 13-13 holding the 8th and final playoff place for the 2007-2008 Bundesliga post season. ratiopharm Ulm tips off this weekend at 13-14 and beat the Eisbaren in Bremerhaven 80-70 Sunday November 25th, 2007. Along with Ulm and Bremerhaven, NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig (13-13), Koln 99ers (13-13) and EnBW Ludwigsburg (12-14) are all aiming for the 8th seed. Over the final 7 game days, the season will play out and all five teams are hungry for the playoffs. Without question, the stretch run in the Bundesliga will be exciting.
Ulm All Star Konrad Wysocki finishes in the lane against Bremerhaven in November.
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm beat Eisbaren Bremerhaven for the first time in their two seasons in the Bundesliga with an 80-70 victory, their first road win of the 2007-2008 season. Konrad Wysocki was a perfect 6 for 6 from the floor and finished with a team best 20 points 10 rebounds followed by point guard Kyle Bailey with a well rounded 18 point 11 rebound 5 assist effort and All Star Jeff Gibbs with a powerful 17 points 10 boards and 5 blocks. Trailing 54-48 heading into the fourth, Ulm outscored Bremerhaven 32-16 over the final ten minutes for the win
Click here for 11-25-07 Ulm @ Bremerhaven Game Summary!
Last season, Ulm was swept by Bremerhaven losing both contests between the two teams. Last December, Ulm traveled up north to Bremerhaven and was pounded 92-65 as the Eisbaren dominated the game. Back in Ulm in April, Ulm dropped an 84-74 game to the Eisbaren. The game snapped ratiopharm Ulm's 8 game home winning streak. Bryan Lucas and Jeff Gibbs were outstanding for Ulm. Lucas led the way with 19 points and 4 rebounds in a terrific effort while Gibbs collected an 18 point 18 rebound double double.
Click here for Ulm @ Bremerhaven December 17, 2006 game summary.
Click here for Ulm v Bremerhaven April 15, 2007 game summary.
Bryan Lucas was outstanding for Ulm against Bremerhaven at Sportszentrum Kuhberg last season!
Bremerhaven opened this season replacing the majority of their team. Losing key stars from last season like Judson Wallace, Brian Jones, Adam Chubb and Nick Jacobsen, All Star forward Zygimantas Jonusas (11ppg 3.3reb 38% threes) was the lone returning starter and Head Coach Dr Sarunas Sakalauskas introduced new starters Brian Brown (10.9ppg 4.1reb 3.9ast 17%three), Nate Funk (12.6ppg 2.8reb 2.7ast 51%threes), Ivars Timermanis (9.6ppg 3.7reb 32%three) and Nate Doornekamp (5.8ppg 3.3reb). Brown, a former Bundesliga All Star game MVP, and 7' Doornekamp bring Bundesliga experience from time with Trier while Funk has been among the best new guards in the Bundesliga this season as demonstrated by his 30 point 5 for 7 three point performance last weekend against Koln. As the season developed, Bremerhaven added talented big man Matt Haryasz (13.7ppg 8reb) who has emerged as one of the top post players in the Bundesliga. Later, Bremerhaven picked up Anthony Tolliver (11.9ppg 7.1reb 43%three) to bring talent and athleticism to the frontcourt and former NBA guard Tony Bobbitt (7.9ppg 2.3reb 29%three) to add depth to the backcourt. Tolliver was a college teammate of current Bremerhaven guard Nate Funk at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Young big man Aleksandar Zyskunov, talented young guard Jan Lipke (4.1ppg 25%three) and big man Janis Michael round out the Eisbaren roster.
With high expectations and hopes of a third straight playoff appearance, Bremerhaven opened the 2007-2007 season with back to back losses October 6th in Bonn 77-67 and at home to Walter Tigers Tubingen 72-62 October 11th. In Braunschweig, the Eisbaren captured their first victory of 2007-2007 with a 91-72 road win October 14th and followed it up with an overtime home win 91-86 over EnBW Ludwigsburg October 18th to even their record at 2-2. Bremerhaven lost 77-74 in Artland October 21st but bounced back with a big 95-72 home win over LTi Giessen 46ers October 28th. November 11th, ALBA Berlin stole an amazing last second 70-69 win on a coast to coast buzzer beating bucket by Bobby Brown to stun Bremerhaven at home. November 17th, Bremerhaven bounced back in their 76-61 road win over the 99ers but ratiopharm Ulm topped Bremerhaven November 25th 80-70. In Trier on December 2nd, the Eisbaren earned a 75-63 road win starting a three game run which saw them top Leverkusen 84-80 at Wilhelm Dopatka Halle December 9th and also edged Science City Jena 73-72 December 16th at Stadthalle in Bremerhaven. Ewe Baskets Oldenburg took the first matchup between the two rival teams December 22nd 74-70. After the holidays, Bremerhaven dropped an 85-76 January 6th home game against Deutsche Bank Skyliners but responded with an exciting 83-82 home win over digibu Baskets Paderborn January 13th. BG74 Gottingen topped Bremerhaven 81-73 January 21st at Lokhalle in Gottingen. But Febuary brought a three game win streak as the Eisbaren beat Telekom Bonn 71-66 Febuary 3rd, topped Walter Tigers Tubingen 78-75 on the road Febuary 9th and beat NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 81-72 home Febuary 17th. EnBW Ludwigsburg snapped the streak in a 91-81 Ludwigsburg home win Febuary 24th and Bremerhaven went on to drop four in a row. Artland beat Bremerhaven 79-74 March 2nd in Bremerhaven, LTi Giessen 46ers upset Bremerhaven 90-82 March 8th in Giessen and Brose Baskets Bamberg powered past Bremerhaven 87-72 at JAKO Arena in Bamberg March 12th. But Bremerhaven won their way to the German Cup Top 4 Tournament in Hamburg with a road win over local Pro A rival Cuxhaven Bas-cats and carried their momentum to two wins in their last three games. March 16th Bremerhaven beat BG74 Gottingen 91-78 before ALBA Berlin topped Bremerhaven in a hardfought 73-64 affair at MaxSchmellinghalle in Berlin on March 23rd. Finally, last week, behind Nate Funk's hot shooting, Bremerhaven beat Koln 99ers 98-90 in a key game which saw both teams even their records at 13-13.
Ulm's Romeo Travis is taking aim on two big games this weekend!
This weekend ratiopharm Ulm looks to learn from their past to build their future. Last year, Ulm entered a stretch run double-game day weekend with a 15-15 record but dropped a road game 75-69 April 13th, 2007 in Giessen and the following home game 84-74 at home to Bremerhaven on Sunday April 15th. With hard lessons from last season in mind, Ulm aims to play their best basketball of the year down the stretch.
Ulm brings a 4 game win streak to their big two game weekend!
The first of two exciting games this weekend, Friday nights matchup will go a long way in shaping the rest of the season for both Ulm and Bremerhaven. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
@ 
Ulm at Jena Sunday!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Science City Jena
Sunday April 6, 2008 6pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Jena, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm revisits an old rival as they travel to east Germany for a Sunday night tip off against traditional 2.Bundesliga South foe Science City Jena in Bundesliga Game Day 29. In 2005-2006 the 2.Bundesliga South was an exciting race between the two teams --- while Ulm captured the championship then, Jena followed with a 2.Bundesliga South crown last season. Both teams earned their way to Germany's top league and renew acquaintances Sunday in Jena.
Ulm All Star Jeff Gibbs powers to the basket against then Jena forward/current Jean Head coach Sean McCaw.
For both ratiopharm Ulm and Science City Jena, every game counts. Ulm has their sights set on a strong finish to the season and the possibility of a Bundesliga playoff place. Meanwhile, stuck in one of two relegations spots at the bottom of the standings, Jena is in a fight for survival hoping to stay in the Bundesliga. With much to play for from both angles, rekindling the Ulm-Jena rivalry Sunday will add to the excitement of the Bundesliga stretch run.
Ulm center Sean Finn started his first game of the season against Jena and made his presence felt.
ratiopharm Ulm beat Jena earlier this season 94-70 behind a terrific team effort on a special night. With Bryan Lucas at the hospital in Ulm as his wife Jane gave birth to their son Hudson, ratiopharm Ulm powered to a third straight win.
Click here for complete Ulm v Jena Game Summary!
The recent history between the two organizations of Ulm and Jena has provided basketball fans with many memorable moments. Immediately in mind, the duel for a 2.Bundesliga South title in 2005-2006 saw Ulm sweep Jena in two regular season games but Jena exacted a bit of revenge knocking Ulm out of the German Cup in November 2005. Before in 2004-2005, the two teams split with each protecting home court. Dating all the way back to 2003-2004, Ulm swept Jena with two 2.Bundesliga South wins that season. For game summaries of recent Ulm v Jena games, click on the links below:
2005-2006 Ulm @ Jena April 22, 2006
2005-2006 Ulm v Jena December 16, 2005
German Cup 2005 November 9, 2005
ratiopharm Ulm 88 TuS Jena 82 March 19, 2005
TuS Jena 92 ratiopharm Ulm 89 November 27, 2004
Jena has struggled through a challenging rookie season in the Bundesliga and are currently in danger of relegation. Entering the double Game Day weekend with a record of 4-22, Jena lost their first 7 Bundesliga games before beating BG74 Gottingen 104-84 November 10th in Jena. They dropped two more games before falling to ratiopharm Ulm 94-70 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm December 1st. Jena lost three more games before pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the Bundesliga season beating reigning Bundesliga champion and Euroleague team brose Baskets Bamberg 71-63 in Jena January 6th. Jena dropped 8 straight after that highlight before beating LTi Giessen 46ers 79-68 March 15th in Jena. The win gave Jena head to head over Giessen with an 11 point margin after losing to Giessen by 9 earlier in the season. The next weekend, Jena won their first road game of the season 74-59 March 23rd at Gottingen sweeping the season series against the Violets. March 27th, first place ALBA Berlin beat Jena 89-64 in Jena settling their record at 4-22. Friday night April 4th, Jena visits the Koln 99ers just before their matchup versus Ulm.
Jena's team has undergone much change this year. After opening the season with their losing streak, pressure began to mount on the team. Early on star forward Adrian Moss and point guard Al Elliot left the team. Reacting to upgrade their roster, Jena added former NBA player Mark Davis (12.8ppg 7.5reb 4ast 25%threes) in November. Along with Davis, shooting guard Brendan Plavich (9.4ppg 1.6reb 35%three) helped add a three point threat. Combining with veteran leaders Ajmal Basit (10.3ppg 7.2reb), Ali Seggelke (11ppg 3.9reb 39%threes) and Sean McCaw, the addition of Davis and Plavich helped the team. Blake Shelton left the team and moved to Chemnitz. Later, Lars Buss moved to MiddleDeutscherBC and Mischa Zlotowski was injured. Still more roster renovation took place when point guard Lavelle Felton (10.5ppg 3.3reb 3.7ast 32%three) and power forward Jason Miller (12.6ppg 5.1reb 24%three) joined the east German based team. Later in the year, quality young coach Bjorn Harmsen was replaced by Sean McCaw in Febuary. Out of roster moves for the season, naming McCaw coach meant their rotation lost a key player. Weeks later talented young Ermen Reyes-Napoles was suspended by the Bundesliga. Overall, on and off the court, Jena's first Bundesliga season has been a challenge. In the remaining games of the season, Jena is fighting to remain in the Bundesliga.
Ulm's Bryan Lucas (25) and Jena's Jason Miller (44) pose with the 2005 Kansas Cagerz USBL team. Close friends, Lucas and Miller also played together at the University of North Texas in college.
A unique aspect of Ulm's road game in Jena centers around two centers. Ulm's Bryan Lucas and Jena's Jason Miller are close friends and former teammates with both the University of North Texas in college and the Kansas Cagerz in the USBL. Along with the close connection of the two big men, Ulm Head coach Mike Taylor was an assistant with the Cagerz in 2004 and 2005 and Jena's Brendan Plavich played with the Cagerz the summer of 2006.
Revisiting a rival like Jena during an important time of the season as the backend of a two game weekend gives basketball fans alot to look forward to. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
KANSAS CAGERZ CONNECTIONS!
several individuals from both teams have spent time with the Kansas Cagerz of the former USBL. Bryan Lucas, Jason Miller and Brendan Plavich all played for the Salina Kansas based team while Ulm head coach Mike Taylor served two summer seasons as an assistant.
HOME GAME FOR ULM STRENGTH COACH!
Ulm strength and conditioning coach Thomas Fritsche returns home this weekend when the Jena native will be back facing his former team from his hometown for the first time.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain remains injured rehabbing his knee.
Romeo Travis: recently extended his contract in Ulm for next year!
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star a key to teams success!
Bryan Lucas: great game v Bremerhaven at home last season!
Konrad Wysocki: perfect 6 for 6 from floor in Bremerhaven!
Dru Joyce: recently extended his contract in Ulm for next year!
Florian Mobius: steady reserve played solid D in Trier win.
EJ Gallup: Ulm sharpshooter has great matchup v Funk from Bremerhaven
Sean Finn: excellent strides this season/15pt last week in Trier
Sebastian Betz: perfect 4 for 4 from floor in Trier win!
Jan Sprunken: veteran shooter is a terrific team player!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Stadthalle Bremerhaven
website: www.eisbaeren-bremerhaven.de
2006-2007: 23-11 4th place
Playoffs: lost 3-2 to Koln in 1st Round
Offense: Bremerhaven lost 4 starters last season but have added several new talents in their place. Former Bundesliga All Star PG Brian Brown returns to Germany and will lead Bremerhaven this season. Outstanding shooters Nate Funk, a rookie from Creighton University, and Tommy Adams who arrives from Trier will provide the perimeter threat. Sharpshooting wing Zygimantas Jonusas returns to take a bigger role in the offense and big man RT Guinn will team up with Nate Doornekamp and Chris Young in the paint. A solid offensive team featuring terrific outside shooting and strong guard play, look for Bremerhaven to enjoy another strong season this year.
Defense: A physical and big team, Bremerhaven features a large frontcourt with Doornekamp, Young, Danelius and Guinn. These big men pack the paint like "trees" and play physical in the lane. Four new perimeter players will wear the Bremerhaven uniform this season and PG Brian Brown looks to be the leader on both ends. Despite being in their 3rd Bundesliga season, Bremerhaven has earned two trips to the playoffs and Dr Sarunas Sakalauskas, the 2005 Bundesliga Coach of the Year, has done a fantastic job with the team. Expect the Eibaren team defense to once again be terrific and push this team toward the top and a third straight trip to the playoffs along the way.
GM: Jan Rathjen
Head Coach: Sarunas Sakalauskas
Players:
Brian Brown: excellent PG returns to Bundesliga
Matt Haryasz: new post player making immediate impact!
Nate Funk: outstanding shooter/competitor from Creighton
Anthony Toliver: outstanding power forward
Nate Doornekamp: big C with skill/ building block for Trier
Jan Lipke: German wing
Tony Bobbitt: former NBA guard helping Bremerhaven in recent weeks
Jannis Michael: bumps to big league after yr in Cuxhaven
Zigmantus Jonusas: joins Eisbaren from Poland
Ivars Timmermans: Latvian forward new to team
Alexander Zyskunov: young big man
Location: Jena, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: TBA
website: www.paderborn-baskets.de
2006-2007: 2.Bundesliga South Champions
Offense: After winning the 2.Bundesliga South last season with strong teamwork, Jena, like ratiopharm Ulm the season before, kept the majority of their roster together in their rise into the Bundesliga. Adding athletic F Adrian Moss, veteran C Ajmal Basit and long G Blake Shelton, Jena prepares for the challenges ahead. Jena will feature Ali Seggelke as a perimeter shooting threat and Moss and Basit inside. As the only eastern German team in the Bundesliga, Jena fans can expect excitement in their first Bundesliga season but must remain realistic with results. Head Coach Bjorn Harmsen will set a record this season becomming the youngest Head Coach in the Bundesliga at 25. The step to the Bundesliga is big and through teamwork is Jena's best approach.
Defense: While scoring may have come easy in the 2.Bundesliga, it will be more difficult for Jena to find baskets in the Bundesliga which will put pressure on their defense. The stronger the teams defense, the better they will do as "Rookies". The Jena roster features physical post players in Buss and Basit and Moss can develop into a shot blocker. Point guard is a major question as the season opens for Jena. No matter the results, the simple fact Jena earned the right to play in the Bundesliga last season is fantastic. Now the challenge is to stay in the league and build as a team.
GM:
Head Coach: Sean McCaw
Players:
Lavelle Felton: PG added to team midseason
Ali Seggelke: primary player in Jena offense/3pt threat
Ajmal Basit: experienced C brings physical play to lane
Brendan Plavich:3pt shooting threat
Mark Davis: versatile former NBA wing
Jason Miller: talented/powerful big man with 3pt touch
Gregor Linke: 3pt shooting big man/former Koln F
Mischa Zlotowski: dependable bench player for Jena
Friedrich Lennantz: young player
Florian Reinhardt: young player
