TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM HOSTS DRAGONS!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Artland Dragons
Saturday March 7th, 2009 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Saturday night when they host the Artland Dragons for a 7pm tip off at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Recognized as one of the top teams in the Bundesliga over recent years, Artland has played a terrific season in the EuroCup advancing to the Top 16 earning impressive wins along the way. Last week, looking to make a playoff-push, the Dragons re-loaded adding two players before the Bundesliga roster deadline signing former UCLA-star and NBA player Toby Bailey along with former Ludwigsburg point guard Ronald Ross. Saturday night, ratiopharm Ulm returns to action with their next challenge against the re-loaded Artland Dragons.
ratiopharm Ulm and All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs will reach for another excellent effort against a strong Artland Dragons team Saturday night.
click here for regio-tv preview
With a weekend off for last weekends Top Four tournament in Hamburg, ratiopharm Ulm players took advantage of a four day break in the schedule before returning to the practice floor Monday. Refreshed and refocused, ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead with excitement and energy to the 12 remaining games on the regular season schedule. As the stretch run plays out, the competition and action will heat up.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Keith Triplett leads the team in steals with 24.
Over the last several seasons, the Artland Dragons have consistently played among the top teams in the Bundesliga. Gradually building their organization and improving step by step, the 2007-2008 Bundesliga season was terrific for the Dragons. An excellent run deep into the ULEB Cup highlighted an international campaign with great success. In Germany, the Dragons claimed their first hardware winning the German Cup with an excellent tournament in Hamburg. In 2006-2007, the Dragons made a fantastic run into the Cup and Playoff Finals. But last summer, the Bundesliga coaching carousel saw the architect of Artland success Head Coach Chris Fleming depart for the head coaching job in Bamberg. Looking for a talented young German head coach, the Artland organization selected former Giessen 46er head man Thorsten Leibenath. To this point in the season, Artland has enjoyed terrific success playing internationally in the highly competitive EuroCup. The Dragons have advanced to the Top 16 round of the competition beating teams such as Fortitudo (Italy), Pamesa Valencia (Spain) and FMP Zeleznik Beograd in earlier rounds. Most recently, Artland topped Spanish ACB team Bilboa on Tuesday night. Certainly the Dragons performance internationally in the EuroCup is excellent for their organization as well as the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn scored 23 points earlier this season against Artland!
Artland's team features a talented roster with experienced players. Bundesliga all-star forward Adam Hess currently leads the Dragons in scoring with 15.3ppg 4.6reb and 38% three point shooting. Hess ranked among the Bundesliga leading scorers in his first stint with the Dragons before playing last season in the Euroleague with a team in France. Along with Hess, another Bundesliga All Star, Darren Fenn produces 14.6ppg with a team best 7.2reb and 32% three point accuracy. Fenn is a Bundesliga veteran after playing for both Bremerhaven and Bamberg in recent seasons and even captured this years All Star game MVP. Scoring guard Lamont McIntosh has been a tremendous player for the Dragons over the last few seasons and this year is producing a solid 9.6ppg 2.1reb. Rookie point guard Drew Neitzel (6.4ppg 3.2ast 35% threes) has won the starting point guard job and brings a terrific three point shooting threat as well as excellent passing skills. Veteran post man Chad Prewitt also is a key to the Artland attack averaging 7.8ppg 3.4reb and 35% from three. Veteran post man Darius Hall remains the emotional leader of the Artland team and the hardworking big man has contributed a strong 9.4ppg 3.7reb with his ever present physical defense. Backup post minutes go to Dirk Madrich (4.2ppg 3.1reb) who gives the team another perimeter shooting threat. On the perimeter, veteran left handed sharpshooter Jan Rohdewald (3.4ppg 32% three) has always played well against Ulm and has a knack for making big three point shots. Athletic defender Paul Johnson (2.4ppg) brings energy and intensity to the floor and young German guard Flavio Stuckemann also contributes hardworking defense to the Dragon team. Last weeks additions to the team, Toby Bailey and Ronald Ross, add new dimensions to the Dragon attack. After starring at UCLA and playing with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA, Bailey's basketball career has taken him all over the world and most recently to Koln last season. A terrific all-around player, Bailey's experience and knowledge of the Bundesliga should help him boost the Artland attack. Meanwhile, Ross brings an outstanding defensive presence to the backcourt and will compliment Neitzel well. With 12 regular season games remaining, Artland aims to make a strong push for the playoffs.
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz enjoyed an excellent month of Febuary
This season, success internationally and has come along with some highs and lows throughout the Dragons 2008-2009 Bundesliga schedule. Without question playing the EuroCup stresses and fatigues a team due to the intense competition level as well as the travel and added games. With 12 games remaining, the Dragons hope to finish the season strong to claim another playoff place. After dropping their first two game, 95-84 to ALBA Berlin September 21st at O2 World in Berlin and 84-77 to Walter Tigers Tubingen September 26th at Artland Arena, the Dragons edged LTi Giessen 46ers 69-68 October 4th in Artland before falling again away at Lokhalle 83-72 to BG74 Gottingen October 7th. But since their 1-3 start, Head Coach Thorsten Leibenath and his newly assembled Dragons have found their winning rhythm capturing three consecutive victories upping their record to 4-3. October 11th, Artland beat a talented Telekom Baskets Bonn team 77-71 in Telekom Dome. October 19th, Artland beat Koln 99ers 80-71 at home. Finally, Thursday night October 23rd, Artland built a big lead over northern rival Eisbaren Bremerhaven before cruising to an 80-76 home win. Hosting ratiopharm Ulm, Artland fought back to take a second half lead in the early season 84-4-80 result at Artland Arena. On November 8th, Artland beat Ludwigsburg 81-54 at Artland Arena earning their 5th straight win and improving the Dragons record to 6-3. But the next week Artland lost in Paderborn 95-85 on November 15th. The Dragons bounced back to beat Nordlingen 83-74 at home November 22nd before falling at Trier 92-85 November 30th. December 6th Artland bounced back to beat brose Baskets Bamberg 77-69 as former Head Coach Chris Fleming made his first return to Quakenbruck. But after moving to 8-5, the Dragons slipped into an 8 game losing streak that dropped their team to 8-13. The skid started with a 75-66 road loss in Braunschweig December 13th, followed with a 93-72 home loss to Ewe Baskets Oldenburg December 20th and continued after Christmas break with an 88-77 home loss to Dusseldorf Giants January 3rd. On January 10th, Deutsche Bank Skyliners beat Artland 76-70 at BallSporthalle in Frankfurt before the Dragons dropped a 90-78 home game to ALBA Berlin January 24th. January 31st, Walter Tigers Tubingen took an 84-71 home victory over Artland which was followed by a 73-61 road loss in Giessen Febuary 7th. With the losing streak at seven games, Telekom Baskets Bonn went into Artland Arena and won 72-64 on Valentines Day Febuary 14th. But most recently, Artland went into rheinenergie Dome in Koln where they earned a convincing 77-55 road win over the Koln 99ers. Tipping off Saturday's game against ratiopharm Ulm, Artland Dragons have been through alot of basketball this season.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey is shooting 42% from three point land and ranks second in the Bundesliga in three point makes with 53.
Earlier this season on Sunday October 26th, ratiopharm Ulm went into the Dragons-lair of Artland Arena and gave a valliant effort before falling to the powerful Artland Dragons 84-80 in an exciting Bundesliga game Sunday October 26th. Ulm's outstanding first quarter helped them build a 30-13 lead before Artland responded with a strong second quarter run of their own. After Artland took control in the third, a hungry Ulm team fought back in the fourth. Trailing by two, 81-79 with two minutes to play, Ulm had four chances to tie the game but could not come up with the big basket. At the final buzzer, the terrific team effort from ratiopharm Ulm fell just short. Sean Finn enjoyed another excellent game scoring 23 points on 10 of 12 shooting to lead the Ulm attack.
click here for 10-26-08 Ulm @ Artland Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald has been extremely productive for his team all season long.
In 2006-2007, ratiopharm Ulm and Artland split games with each team holding home court. Ulm topped an injury-riddled Artland squad at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in January. Rising to the top of the Bundesliga, the Dragons overcame major injury adversity that year before making a fantastic German Cup and Bundesliga playoff run. In the other meeting later in 2006-2007, 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)
In 2007-2008, Ulm traveled north to Quakenbruck for an October 14th contest. The Dragons handed them a convincing 86-63 loss in the third game of the season. Click here for Ulm v Artland October 2007 .
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther continues to develop and contribute as an impact rookie in the Bundesliga.
In the rematch, ratiopharm Ulm narrowly missed another big upset falling to the powerful Artland squad 87-84 Saturday afternoon Febuary 16th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Lamont McIntosh buried a clutch three pointer from the top of the key with 25.5 seconds to play and John Goldsberry sank key free throws to help the Artland Dragons avoid the ratiopharm Ulm upset bid. Deadlocked at 79 with 1:52 to play, it was Artland who made the big shots down the stretch. In the final 15 seconds, Ulm's EJ Gallup had two game-tying attempts rim out and Konrad Wysocki's desperation turnaround three was off line at the buzzer. With Ulm leading 67-60 heading into the fourth, Artland turned up their defensive intensity and made several outstanding individual offensive plays resulting in big buckets from Leon Rodgers, Terrance Thomas and Lamont McIntosh. Ulm's outstanding team effort fell just short to a Dragon team who showed their class down the stretch.
Click here for Ulm v Artland Game Summary Febuary 16, 2008
ratiopharm Ulm's floor general Dru Joyce is averaging 10.8ppg along with a Bundesliga best 4.6 assists per game.
ratiopharm Ulm enters Saturday nights game against Artland with a healthy roster at full strength. Ulm took advantage of last weekends break in the schedule to get focused for the final 12 games of the season and settle in for the stretch run. At 14-8, the Ulm team enters Saturdays game in 6th place in the Bundesliga standings as they work to make their playoff dreams come true. 8-2 at home this season, Ulm plays 7 of their last 12 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg which continues to undergo renovations. Looking to bounce back from their last game, a home loss to the strong Ewe Baskets Oldenburg, ratiopharm Ulm aims to capitalize on their enthusiastic home fans and terrific home court advantage at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis has been outstanding this season scoring 12.9ppg along with 5.3reb.
Saturday night, the re-loaded Artland Dragons are the next challenge for ratiopharm Ulm as the exciting 2008-2009 Bundesliga season rolls toward the stretch run.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
HESS RETURNS TO ARTLAND
After an all star season with the Artland Dragons in 2006-2007, talented small forward Adam Hess moved on to Roanne France where he played in the Euroleague with the French team in 2007-2008. Now, with a years Euroleague experience under his belt, the former William & Mary star returns to Quakenbruck to play for the Dragons.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES SUMMER LEAGUE TEAMMATES
ratiopharm Ulm's Dan Fitzgerald and Artland Dragons Drew Neitzel are opponents Sunday evening when the two teams meet at Artland Arena, but this summer for the month of July, both Bundesliga rookies were on the same side playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves team at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League.
PLANET BASKETBALL
Although Sunday will see Ulm Head coach Mike Taylor working against Artland star big man Darren Fenn, both were part of the 2000 European Tour for now defunct Planet Basketball. Traveling as a touring all star team of college players through both the Czech Republic and Finland, Planet Basketball played games against the Czech National and Junior National teams in Pardubice and Prague after three games in Finnish cities of Helsinki and Jyvaskala.
NEW ADDITIONS
Artland was active before the Bundesliga roster deadline signing former UCLA star and Phoenix Suns forward Toby Bailey along with former Texas Tech and EnBW Ludwigsburg point guard Ronald Ross. Bailey brings a versatile game with the ability to score in different ways while Ross adds a perfect athletic compliment to current pg Drew Neitzel. Both Bailey and Ross know the Bundesliga well after Bailey played with Koln 99ers last season and Ross in Ludwigsburg.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain sets excellent example for team
Romeo Travis: versatile forward has great matchup with Artland wings
Jeff Gibbs: all star 4man will battle excellent post players on the block
Keith Triplett : defensive stopper ready for assignments
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter currently 2nd in Bundesliga in 3pt makes
Dru Joyce: currently leads the Bundesliga in assists
Per Gunther: rookie pg developing as impact rookie in Bundesliga
Dan Fitzgerald: rookie forward brings perimeter scoring threat
Sean Finn: post man scored team best 23pt in earlier meeting with Artland
Sebastian Betz: young wing enjoyed excellent Febuary with Ulm
Michael Schroeder: post man provides physical presence
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Quakenbruck, Germany
Main Sponsor: Medico
Home Court: Artland Arena
website:
www.artland-dragons.de
2007-2008: 21-13 4th place
Offense: One of the most talented offensive teams in the Bundesliga, the Artland Dragons have a wide variety of weapons and ability to produce big games. Driving the team, the one-two scoring punch of Lamont McIntosh and Adam Hess make matchup nightmares for opposing teams. While McIntosh attacks one on one and with slashing drives to score, Hess is an active cutter and post up player who possesses a lightning quick release. Both are capable of carrying the team. Big men Darren Fenn and Chad Prewitt are two of the top three point shooting post players in the Bundesliga and stretch defenses effectively. Darius Hall is the teams inside force. The experience of all these players is a big plus for new head coach Thorsten Leibenath. New face at the point in Drew Neitzel has excellent skills and veteran role players provide depth. An explosive offensive team, Artland certainly has the ability to outscore opponents to win.
Defense: After ranking as one of the top defensive teams in the Bundesliga over the last several seasons, the new faces on the 2008-2009 Dragons team are offensive-minded by nature. But entering Sundays game against Ulm, the teams defense has led the Dragons to 3 straight wins. The Dragons have good size in the front court. Paul Johnson is a hardworking defensive stopper who has defensive versatility.
GM: Marko Beens
Head Coach: Thorsten Leibenath
Players:
Lamont McIntosh: excellent offensive threat/makes big plays for team
Adam Hess: returns to Artland after season in Euroleague for Roanne
Darren Fenn: 3time Bundesliga All Star post man key to team success
Chad Prewitt: hardworking skilled post man/3pt threat
Drew Neitzel: former Michigan St star playing rookie season in Artland
Darius Hall: emotional leader of team/physical inside presence
Dirk Madrich: young talented German post/3pt threat
Jan Rohdewald: veteran 3pt shooter/always seems to play great v Ulm
Paul Johnson: defensive stopper of team
Ronald Ross: excellent defensive PG/former Ludwigsburg point man
Toby Bailey: former UCLA star/ joins Dragons with Bundesliga experience
