TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM TO FACE DRAGONFIRE!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Artland Dragons
Saturday Febuary 16, 2008 3pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts one of the hottest teams in the Bundesliga Saturday afternoon when the Artland Dragons visit Sportszentrum Kuhberg for a special 3pm tipoff. Breathing fire over a 5 game win streak, Artland has risen to the top of the Bundesliga and are burning for a championship. Last season, Ulm upset Artland at Sportszentrum Kuhberg beating an injury-riddled Dragon team. This year, Ulm will face a heated Artland team at full strength that is full of Dragonfire and not just smoke from Dragonbreath. For Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans, one thing is for sure, Saturday's game between ratiopharm Ulm and the Artland Dragons will be heated!
All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs and teammates take aim on the outstanding Artland Dragons Saturday afternoon at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm!
Last season, Artland was one of the top stories of the Bundesliga. After dealing with a handful of injuries throughout the regular season, the Dragons got healthy and caught fire down the stretch advancing to the German Cup finals along with the Bundesliga Playoff Championship series. Although the Dragons came up short, their amazing playoff run was fantastic to follow for basketball fans all over the world. As an 8th seed, sweeping German power ALBA Berlin, topping rival Koln and going nose to nose with eventual "Meister" brose Baskets Bamberg, Artland played an inspiring season that will be part of Bundesliga history and one which their entire organization can be proud of.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki has attempted 125 free throws in 18 games the third highest total in Bundesliga this season!
This season the Dragons have picked up right where they left off. Entering Saturdays game in Ulm, Artland has earned a 15-4 record. Not only have they risen to a top place in the standings, Artland has also enjoyed a successful ULEB Cup run advancing into the next round. Going 5-5 in Group H against an outstanding field, the Dragons have enjoyed a successful first season competing internationally. Artland battled Benneton Treviso (Italy), Pau Orthez (France), ASK Riga (Latvia), BC Kyiv (Ukraine) and Lukoil Akademik Sofia. Moving onto the ULEB Cup Playoffs, Artland will face Group E champ TRIUMPH LYUBERTSY Moscow Region. The Dragons ULEB Cup and Bundesliga success is a terrific story for the small northwest German town of Quakenbruck and an excellent development for German basketball.
Captain Emeka Erege goes all out for his team on both ends!
Last season, ratiopharm Ulm upset the Artland Dragons as Ulm and Artland split games with each team holding home court. Ulm topped an injury-riddled Artland squad at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in January. Respect must be given to the Dragons who overcame major injury adversity last year before making a fantastic German Cup and Bundesliga playoff run. In the other meeting later last season, Ulm fell in Artland 99-81 as Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 19 points 7 rebounds on May 5, 2007
(click here for game summary)
Earlier this year, on October 14th, ratiopharm Ulm once again went north to Quakenbruck where the Dragons handed them an 86-63 loss in the third game of the season. Click here for Ulm v Artland October 2007 .
Sharpshooter EJ Gallup has made 51 threes in 18 games the second highest total in the Bundesliga this year!
In 2007-2008, the Dragons have put together an excellent year. After opening the season with a hardfought home loss to Bundesliga power ALBA Berlin 78-72 October 4th at Artland Arena, the Dragons caught fire winning 8 straight games winning 69-68 in Koln October 12th, topping ratiopharm Ulm 86-63 Sunday October 14th at Artland Arena, beating Trier 97-69 October 19th at home and outlasting Eisbaren Bremerhaven 77-64 October 21st. Artland won on the road in Jena October 27th 85-61 and continued their winning streak by beating Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 84-75 at home November 3rd, topping digibu Baskets Paderborn 76-63 November 10th in Paderborn and beating brose Baskets Bamberg 73-69 at home November 17th. November 25th Artland fell for the second time on the season losing 74-63 at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt to the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Over the next four weeks, the Dragons split games winning two at home and losing two on the road. Artland beat Telekom Bonn 77-73 December 1st before falling 78-67 December 8th in Tubingen. Artland bounced back with an 88-66 blowout win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig December 14th. Just before Christmas, the Dragons fell 86-73 to Ludwigsburg on December 22nd. Since that holiday loss, Artland has won five straight games. Their current streak started with a tough road win in Gottingen 85-69 January 5th, continued with back to back home wins over 86-67 Bayer Leverkusen January 12th and LTi Giessen 80-69 January 25th. Arguably Artlands most impressive win took place Febuary 3rd when the Dragons went into MaxSchmellinghalle and won impressively 76-68. Finally, last week at home against the youngest team in Bundesliga history, Artland broke the game open in the second half on their way to a 95-72 home win over the Koln 99ers.
After a one month break due to a fractured thumb, floor general Kyle Bailey returned to action last weekend. The Ulm playmaker has worked dilligently to return to top form.
Head Coach Chris Fleming has assembled a terrific team and like last season the Dragons will be in the mix for the Bundesliga Championship. However, unlike last year, when the amazing post season run came as a small surprise, this season Artland established themselves as a Bundesliga power among the top teams in the league. The deep roster features outstanding players. Point guard John Goldsberry (8.9ppg 4.2ast 50% three) is a terrific floor general who sets an unselfish tone for the team with his pass-first play. Talented scoring guard Lamont McIntosh (11.8ppg 2.8reb 2.3ast 39% three) is a creative go-to scoring option for the Dragons and brings excellent versatility to the backcourt. Small forward Terrance Thomas (10.1ppg 4.3reb 47%three) is an inside-out threat and has been one of the impact newcomers for Artland this season. At the power forward, Chad Prewitt (8ppg 5.6reb 33%three) rejoined the Dragons after a short stint in Greece and starting the season with Ludwigsburg. Prewitt is a terrific three point shooting post man who brings physical post defense and toughness in the lane. The center for the Artland attack is athletic post man Adam Chubb (14.5ppg 5.3reb) who brings an aggressive mobile style to the team. An impressive aspect of the Artland team is the depth of talent they possess. Hardworking post man Darius Hall (8.2ppg 3.1reb) is an inspirational figure for the Artland team and provides a physical presence on the block. Recently added scoring forward Leon Rodgers (11.8ppg 5.3reb 50%three) has fit in nicely with his new team and looks to be an impact player for the Dragons down the stretch and into the playoffs. Sharpshooting veteran Jan Rohdewald (3.9ppg 37%three) was recognized as a Bundesliga all star this season and the lefty marksman has enjoyed several big games against Ulm off the Dragon bench. Talented combo guard EJ Rowland (7.2ppg 2.8reb 2.6ast 36%three) excells in transition and is extremely effective off the dribble. German post man Dirk Madrich (5ppg 2.7reb 46%three) was particularly effective against ratiopharm Ulm back in October and he remains a threat as a perimeter shooting post man. Rounding out the Artland roster, Henrik Feist and Paul Johnson provide quality depth to the team.
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas finishes inside against Artland's Darius Hall during last seasons game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Lucas is enjoying a strong season scoring 13.5ppg with 4.9reb and terrific effort for Ulm.
Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm looks to get back to winning ways. After a strong start, Ulm brings a 9-9 record to the game Saturday. Since losing point guard Kyle Bailey to a fractured thumb over Christmas Break, Ulm went 2-3 winning once in the Bundesliga and once in the German Cup. Last weekend, Kyle returned to action and Ulm split a pair of games beating Paderborn to advance in the German Cup Friday before falling to rival Ludwigsburg Sunday. This weekend, the Artland Dragons will stand as one of the biggest challenges of the season for Ulm and one of the best teams Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans will see take the floor.
Rookie PG Dru Joyce has been a key member of Ulm's rotation asserting himself on both ends of the floor while filling in for injured Kyle Bailey.
For Ulm All star Jeff Gibbs, Saturday will seem similar to many summer pickup games in Columbus Ohio. That is because Artland forward Leon Rodgers and Gibbs have locked horns before in Columbus summer leagues. The friends faced one another earlier this year during preseason at the Prostejov Open in Czech Republic as Rodgers began the season with the Cherkassy Monkeys in the Ukraine before leaving the team in early November.
Saturday's 3pm tip time has been adjusted from the regular 7pm start for TV coverage from SWR. The afternoon start should provide Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans with terrific entertainment. With a fired up Ulm team and a hot Artland Dragons team, Saturday afternoon will be heated!
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
WE MEET AGAIN!
When Ulm plays Artland Saturday afternoon, Jeff Gibbs and Leon Rodgers will see familiar faces. Friends from the same hometown of Columbus Ohio, Gibbs and Rodgers have met for many summer league and pickup games at home over the years. Interestingly enough, Rodgers played against Ulm earlier this preseason when his Cherkassy Monkeys team from the Ukraine met ratiopharm Ulm in the Prostejov Open at Prostejov Czech Republic.
WE MEET AGAIN TOO!
Earlier this season when ratiopharm Ulm upset rival EnBW Ludwigsburg at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, big man Chad Prewitt was part of the Ludwigsburg team. Since leaving Ludwigsburg, Prewitt has rejoined his former Artland team and made a positive impact in his 5 games.
BUNDESLIGA to ULEB CUP!
Artland has been outstanding representing the German Bundesliga in ULEB CUP action this season. Advancing to the ULEB Cup playoffs, the Dragons have earned some impressive wins internationally this year. Good Luck to Artland as they meet the challenges in the ULEB Cup playoffs beginning next week against TRIUMPH LYUBERTSY Moscow Region
www.bbl.tv
Basketball fans all over the world have the opportunity to watch Bundesliga basketball live online with BBL.TV on www.sportdigital.tv .
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege:Ulm captain gave great 14pt performance last week!
Jeff Gibbs: powerful presence in paint had 20pt 16reb
Bryan Lucas: hardworking pivot man ready for challenge!
Konrad Wysocki: energizer enjoying outstanding season!
Kyle Bailey: returned to action last week/working for top form!
EJ Gallup: sharpshooter taking aim on Artland
Dru Joyce: rookie PG giving Ulm excellent production!
Sebastian Betz: 22yr old wing impressing with steady progress!
Sean Finn: outstanding weekend last week in two games!
Jan Sprunken: veteran presence from bench!
Florian Mobius: dependable forward key for Ulm depth!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Quackenbruck, Germany
Main Sponsor: Artland
Home Court: Artland Arena
website: www.artland-dragons.de
2006-2007: 19-15 8th place
Playoffs: 1st Round beat ALBA 3-0, 2nd Round beat Koln 3-2, Finals lost 3-1 to Bamberg
German Cup Runners Up
Offense: Artland overcame tremendous adversity last season as the team suffered injury after injury throughout the year but in the end it was the Dragons who caught fire with a fantastic playoff run that saw their #8 seed advance all the way to the finals where they fell to Bamberg. Head Coach Chris Fleming reloaded the team with several key faces from within the league. PG John Goldsberry arrives from Leverkusen and C Adam Chubb from Bremerhaven. Both will be big factors in Dragon success. Athletic forward Terrance Thomas, Rich Melzer and Matt Freije are all exellent additions to the forward spots and combo guard EJ Rowland joins the Dragons backcourt with good pedigree. C Darius Hall who inspired his teammates with several memorable plays last season returns to lead the team and young F Dirk Maedrich returns from France Pro A. Finally, opponents should not look past veteran shooter Jan Rhodewald who is a great clutch three point shooter and gifted scorere Lamont McIntosh who overcame two stress fractures in his feet last season to be a force in the playoffs. Artland continues to grow and develop step by step year by year and fans can count on Artland being a force once again in 2007-2008.
Defense: Adding the athletic Chubb in the paint to team with Hall and the three new forwards Melzer, Freije and Thomas, Artland helped themselves significantly. Goldsberry and Rowland compliment each other well and the fundamentally sound Dragon defense should benefit from a healthy roster throughout this year. On the heels of such a fantastic playoff run last season, the Dragons new additions will enter 2007-2008 with momentum and expectations. As the team stays healthy they will surely continue the recent success in Quackenbruck and Dragon fans can enjoy the ULEB CUP action this season along their way back to the playoffs.
GM: Marko Beens
Head Coach: Chris Fleming
Players:
John Goldsberry: excellent Leverkusen PG now a Dragon
Lamont McIntosh: potential BIGTIME G/out 2mnths w injury
EJ Rowland: new G from St Marys University of WCC
Adam Chubb: athletic C joins Artland
Jan Rohdewald: veteran shooter also injured
Terrance Thomas: Baylor product played in Latvia and NBDL
Leon Rodgers: talented scoring forward/impact player
Darius Hall: physical force in the paint
Paul Johnson: team player
Dirk Maedrich: young German post returns to Bundesliga
Hendrik Feist : young talent returns from Stoney Brook U.
