TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM STARTS THE SECOND HALF!
ratiopharm Ulm vs brose Baskets Bamberg
Saturday January 24, 2009 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm , Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts brose Baskets Bamberg Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg as both teams tip off the second half of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs works to finish in the paint as Bamberg's Predrag Suput and Tim Ohlbrecht defend.
For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday nights home game against Bamberg is the next challenge on their intensely competitive Bundesliga schedule. Sold out for two weeks, basketball fans in Ulm are always excited about top teams like Bamberg. Reflecting back to their last game, Ulm's thrilling one point road win in Nordlingen January 10th energized the team with a boost of momentum heading into the All Star break. Rested and refreshed following last weekends All Star game, ratiopharm Ulm returned to practice this week at full strength and focused for improvement. Tipping off the second half of the Bundesliga season, many challenges and much excitement is ahead.
ratiopharm Ulm upset Bamberg 66-64 in the Bundesliga season opener for both teams Wednesday night September 24th.
Saturday night's matchup between ratiopharm Ulm and brose Baskets Bamberg features two teams with tremendous basketball tradition and excellent fan support. Bamberg has risen to be a top team in Germany winning Bundesliga championships in 2005 and 2007. A fantastic example of building an organization step by step, Bamberg has become a model franchise in Germany. But last summer German National team Head Coach, Dirk Bauermann stepped back from his Bamberg post in order to completely invest his efforts with the National team. After 9 seasons building up the Artland Dragons into a top Bundesliga team in their own right, Head coach Chris Fleming moved south to Bamberg taking over the reigns of the 'Freak City' team this year. With high expectations of success, Bamberg has worked to establish their new identity. Steadily throughout the season Bamberg has estalished themselves overcoming injuries and roster changes to claim a playoff place at the halfway point. Bundesliga fans know the power and potential in Bamberg and with half the season to play, Chris Fleming has Bamberg moving the right way.
Ulm forward Romeo Travis has been outstanding for his team scoring 13.5ppg with 5.4reb and 49% floor shooting.
After the season opening upset in the first meeting with Ulm, Bamberg started the season slowly dropping their first three games. Bamberg fell 66-64 to Ulm Wednesday night September 24th at JAKO Arena, were edged 71-69 Sunday September 28th at Lokhalle in Gottingen and lost 69-61 at home to Ludwigsburg October 6th. Early season injuried to point guard John Goldsberry and post man Eric Taylor left the Bamberg team shorthanded. October 11th, Bamberg earned their first win of the season on the road in Paderborn taking an 84-77 victory. The next game saw Nordlingen upset Bamberg 82-75 in overtime at JAKO Arena October 19th. Bouncing back and finding their rhythm, Bamberg won the next four games topping Trier 78-69 at Trier Arena October 24th, beating Tubingen 61-55 October 28th at JAKO Arena, winning November 9th in Dusseldorf 94-83 and took a 66-61 home win over Deutsche Bank Skyliners November 16th at JAKO Arena. Oldenburg edged Bamberg 76-73 November 22nd at Ewe Arena before Bamberg earned terrific home win over ALBA Berlin 71-59 November 29th at JAKO Arena. But Bamberg fell to 6-6 with a 77-69 December 6th road loss to the Artland Dragons at Artland Arena. Bamberg upped their record to 8-6 with back to back wins over LTi Giessen 46ers 79-56 December 14th and in Bremerhaven 83-67 December 20th. After a short Christmas break, Bamberg returned to action with an 81-76 road loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn January 3rd at Telekom Dome in Bonn. Most recently, Bamberg split home games falling 71-65 to Koln 99ers January 10th at JAKO Arena before beating NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 80-62 at home January 16th.
Former Gonzaga star and 6 year NBA veteran Dan Dickau signed with Bamberg last week. Here, Dickau poses with Head coach Chris Fleming at the Bamberg press conference.
Over the last several seasons, Bamberg has competed internationally at a variety of levels including the elite Euroleague last campaign. This year, the team plays in the EUROCUP in Group F. Early season injuries to key players and roster changes added to the challenges on-court with the intense international competition. Opening their EUROCUP campaign, Bamberg dropped a 69-39 decision to Turow November 25th. In Round 2, Bamberg lost 82-65 to Crvena Zvez December 2nd. Round 3 saw Bamberg fall 64-62 against Charleroi December 9th. December 16th in the rematch with Charleroi, Bamberg lost 84-65. Round 5 on January 6th, Turow beat Bamberg again this time 67-56. Finally, in a January 13th matchup, Bamberg fell to Crvena Zvez. 67-53. Competing in the EUROCUP helped Bamberg raise their level and made the roster a battle-tested unit which prepares them well for the second half.
Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey averages 10.5ppg and is shooting 40% from three at the season halfway mark.
With a 9-8 record at the Bundesliga season midpoint, Bamberg made a big roster move over the Holidays as the team introduced former Gonzaga Bulldog and 6 year NBA player Dan Dickau last week. With 300 NBA games under his belt and a career 5.6ppg scoring average, Dickau will be a key figure for Bamberg throughout the second half of the season. In his first game against Dusseldorf Wednesday night in the German Cup, Dickau scored 16 points with 5 rebounds as he fit in well with his new team. With injured point guard John Goldsberry lost for the season, Dickau's addition means Bamberg released Michael Jordan who recently signed with Koln 99ers. Now Bamberg features point guards Dickau and Bundesliga veteran Filberto Rivera to lead their team. Rivera has produced 11.6ppg 2.5reb 4ast while shooting 29% threes and 86% free throws. Veteran German National team players shooters Demond Greene (8ppg 2.1reb 40% threes) and Robert Garrett (7.2ppg 2.2reb 37% threes), have been consistent winners in their Bundesliga careers and are key figures to Bamberg's success. Athletic wing Jared Newson (9.8ppg 4.5reb 34% threes) excells in transition and is a highlight dunker playing above the rim. In the post, Bamberg is currently a bit thin. The teams only healthy post man is veteran big man Eric Taylor. Missing several games early in the season, the former Leverkusen center Taylor has produced 7.6ppg with 5.5reb in Bamberg. Earlier in the season Bamberg released former NBA big man Nate Johnson and the team is currently searching the player market to find another post. Making things tougher, talented young German post man Tim Ohlbrecht suffered an ankle injury and will miss the next several weeks as he recovers. Voted into the South teams starting lineup at Bundesliga All Star Day in Mannheim, Ohlbrecht has averaged 4.3ppg 2.9reb while hitting 3 of 7 threes and 67% from the foul line. With the shortened roster, veteran Beckham Wyrick is able to play minutes as a small four and the former Leverkusen forward has scored 2.4ppg with 2.1reb while hitting 4 of his 9 threes on the Bundesliga season. But Bamberg will have high-level player Predrag Suput to rely on at the forward spot. A terrific offensive player, Suput leads Bamberg in scoring averaging 13.4ppg with 4.8reb while hitting an outstanding 52% from three (27-52) and 85% from the foul line. Young talents Karsten Tadda and Dominik Schneider round out the current Bamberg roster.
Rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald has enjoyed a terrific first half of the year producing 7.9ppg with 2.8reb and 40% three point shooting off the Ulm bench!
Ulm and Bamberg met head to head in the season opener earlier this season. Wednesday night September 24th, ratiopharm Ulm tipped off the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season with an exciting 66-64 upset win over powerful brose Baskets Bamberg before 7,000 fans at JAKO Arena. Winless against Bamberg before the season-opener, ratiopharm Ulm was powered by an intense defensive effort and strong bench production. All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs went to work for a 16 point 12 rebound double double and rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald added 11 points off the bench in the win. Without injured starter Dru Joyce, 20 year old rookie Per Gunther was outstanding in his first Bundesliga start leading Ulm's attack with poise of a veteran.
Rookie PG Per Gunther starred in Ulm's season-opening upset road win over Bamberg at JAKO Arena.
click for complete Ulm @ Bamberg 9-24-08 Game Summary!
Ulm's Keith Triplett has been an impact player for his team this year!
The recent history of Ulm against Bamberg has been ALL Bamberg. In the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, the teams have met four times with Bamberg posting a perfect 4-0 mark. In fact, before this years season opener, Ulm had not beaten Bamberg in recent history. Before Ulm's 66-64 upset at JAKO Arena, Bamberg remained the only Bundesliga team ratiopharm Ulm had not beaten since their return to the German top division in 2006-2007. Last year, ratiopharm Ulm lost in JAKO Arena Wednesday night March 5th in an exciting uptempo 110-89 fast breaking game. Ulm challenged the defensive oriented Bamberg team to play fast and the experienced and talented Bamberg players outscored ratiopharm Ulm beating them at their own uptempo game. Later in the season, Bamberg edged Ulm 79-69 coming back in the 4th quarter for the hardfought road win. Below are links to Taylorhoops.com Game Summaries from the Ulm against Bamberg games.
Click here for April 20th, 2008 Ulm vs Bamberg Game Summary!
Playing against his former team, Ulm wing Sebastian Betz drilled three threes totaling 9 points off the bench at JAKO Arena March 5, 2008.
Click here for March 5th, 2008 Ulm @ Bamberg Game Summary!
Ulm center Sean Finn slams home two points against Nordlingen. The former Dayton Flyer has averaged 12ppg 4.9reb while shooting 67% from the floor.
In the 2006-2007 season Ulm battled in Bamberg but fell short to the eventual Bundesliga champions on March 10th. Bundesliga MVP Casey Jacobsen starred for Head Coach Dirk Bauermann's team in the win. Earlier in the year, Bamberg beat ratiopharm Ulm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Sunday October 29th. Both games demonstrated the reasons why Bamberg became champions. Despite gritty efforts, Ulm fell short to the first class Bamberg team.
Click here for March 10th, 2007 Ulm @ Bamberg Game Summary!
Click here for October 29th, 2006 Ulm v Bamberg Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce has enjoyed a strong seasons scoring 11ppg with 2.1reb and 4.3ast.
At 11-6, ratiopharm Ulm is poised for a strong second half of the season. Ulm has earned a 6-1 home record at Sportszentrum Kuhberg while playing an even 5-5 on the road. With a first half of the season good enough to earn 6th place in the 18 team Bundesliga, ratiopharm Ulm now holds a favorable schedule with 10 of 17 games at home in the second half of the season.
ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to an exciting second half of the season!
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action this season on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
BASIT BETZ AND MICHAEL SCHROEDER AND BAMBERG
Saturday will be a special game for Sebastian Betz and Michael Schroeder. The 2 Ulm players were with the Bamberg organization in recent seasons with 2.Bundesliga South squad Breitengussbach and practiced with the brose team. Basti scored 9 points making three three pointers in Ulm's loss at JAKO Arena last season in early March.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain helping teammates and team daily!!
Romeo Travis: played outstanding first half for Ulm!
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star scored 11pt last weekend in Mannheim
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general playing an excellent season!
Sean Finn: 12pt 4.9reb 69% from the floor
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooting sank game winning FT in last game!
Keith Triplett: best defensive player in Ulm since return to Bundesliga
Dan Fitzgerald: sweet shooting F enjoyed excellent first half
Sebastian Betz: excited for game this Saturday v former team!
Per Gunther: outstanding young PG focused for improvement
Michael Schroeder: big man adds size/physical play to frontcourt
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Bamberg, Germany
Main Sponsor: brose
Home Court: JAKO Arena
website: www.brosebaskets.de
2007-2008: 23-11 4th Place
Playoffs: 1st round (lost to Oldenburg 3-1)
Euroleague: 8th place (2-12) in Group C
Offense: After building Bamberg into a Bundesliga power, Head Coach Dirk Bauermann moves on to place his complete focus on the German National team and new head coach Chris Fleming takes the reigns. Offensively, Bamberg will be a sound fundamental squad relying on set plays, establishing the post and floor spacing with excellent three point shooters. The teams depth and variety of players give the offensive attack many weapons. Two point guards John Goldsberry and Filberto Rivera have been among the Bundesliga's best over the last few seasons. Sharpshooting German wings Demond Greene and Robert Garrett stretch defenses with terrific shooting range and athletic Jared Newson will add highlights and fantastic transition plays. Skilled post men Predrag Suput and young Tim Ohlbrecht can score consistently on the block or knocking down J's and experienced Eric Taylor and former NBA big man Nate Johnson give Bamberg go-to options on the block. Look for Bamberg's offensive game to improve as the season goes on and players get comfortable with one another and their new system.
Defense: Hardnosed and physical, the trademark of Bamberg championship teams has revolved around their team defense. Even with new head coach Chris Fleming, that will not change. Fleming's Artland team was outstanding defensively in the last few seasons and he will bring that work ethic and emphasis south to Bamberg. With size in the post, athleticism on the wing and experience, Bamberg has the potential to rank among the best defensive teams in the Bundesliga in 2008-2009.
Manager: Wolfgang Heyder
Head Coach: Chris Fleming
Key Players:
Eric Taylor: veteran big man/in-out threat/ in Bamberg from Leverkusen
Filberto Rivera: crafty experienced PG played for Coach Fleming in Artland
Jared Newson: athletic wing/bring highlight slams/excitement to Bamberg
Demond Greene: talented, athletic and experienced guard
Predrag Suput: versatile and skilled in-out scoring forward
Tim Olbrecht: talented young post man out several weeks with injury
Robert Garrett: excellent perimeter shooter with experience
Dan Dickau: former NBA PG signed with Bamberg last week
Beckham Wyrick: underrated wing joins Bamberg from Leverkusen
Karsten Tadda: young PG developing within organization
Dominick Schneider: talented young forward looks to develop
