TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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NO CLOWNS!
ratiopharm Ulm @ brose Baskets Bamberg
Saturday March 10, 2007 7:30pm
JAKO Arena Bamberg, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm enters JAKO Arena Saturday night to meet powerful brose Baskets Bamberg, a team featuring 2 former NBA players, 2 German National team members and an opponent with a reloaded roster that has them poised for a deep post-season run. Clearly, even though they play in JAKO Arena --- on the Bamberg roster there are no clowns. For the young ratiopharm Ulm team, Saturdays game against Bamberg is a challenging test against an outstanding team.
Slashing Ulm F Konrad Wysocki attacks the rim!
After a slow start to the season, brose Baskets Bamberg made strong decisions which resulted in strong moves. Now, after revamping their roster with key additions and subtractions, Bamberg is poised for an outstanding finish to the season and strong post-season run. While Head Coach Dirk Bauermann directed the Dirk Nowitzki-led German National team at the World Championships in Japan earlier this fall, Bamberg assembled a roster which was deep with talent to open the season. Playing both the Bundesliga and ULEB Cup, Bamberg features a high-level European schedule filled with games all over the continent. Due to Bauermann's involvement with the German National team and the double game-schedule, Bamberg back-loaded their schedule moving several games to dates later in the season. After a record setting EuroLeague performance for a Bundesliga team last season, Bamberg's 2006-2007 ULEB Cup showing was not as memorable. Earlier this season, several key Bamberg players were not clicking with the organization. Super talented and experienced point guard DC Collins' commitment and professionalism came into question with the many strong character people within the organization. After several chances, Collins pushed the team too far and was released. Shooting guard Adam Harrington was also with the team earlier. He too was let go after several months. Injuries sidelined star powerforward Kezell Wesson for a significant amount of time. Following a four game Bundesliga losing streak, Bamberg management made strong moves like their post players make power moves in the paint.
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Ulm power forawrd Jeff Gibbs pushes the ball upcourt
Moving on questionable character like Collins, Bamberg brought back their heart and soul in homegrown point guard Stefan Hamann who had tested his game in the elite Italian Serie A with Bologna. Upgrading at the wing, Bamberg added former NBA wing Casey Jacobsen. Finally, looking to improve their perimeter depth, Bamberg brought in former Duke G Sean Dockery. Now, after ups and downs, with a powerful team in place, Bamberg is poised for a terrific stretch run and post season drive. Revamping their roster to reload their lineup, Bamberg's back-loaded schedule now appears to be a stroke of genius.
The Bamberg experience and talent has also become a formidable defensive team. Recent scores indicate their lock-down ability. Tuesday March 6th, Bamberg beat Walter Tigers Tubingen 75-55. Saturday March 3rd, Bamberg stifled Frankfurt Skyliners 81-48. Finally, Bamberg topped TBB Trier 81-61 Sunday Febuary 25th. Without question, the roster moves have created a more together Bamberg team and these results demonstrate their recent progress towards returning to challenge for the top of the league standings.
Statistically speaking, Bamberg has a well balanced attack. Outstanding center Darren Fenn, a Bundesliga All Star this season, produces a team best 12.4ppg with 6.6reb while shooting an impressive 48% from three point range. Another powerful post, physical Chris Ensminger adds 9.8ppg with 6.8reb while providing an enforcer-like presence in the paint. Athletic 4 man Kezell Wesson has scored 10.9ppg with a team best 8.8reb. Together these three talented big men form an outstanding frontcourt for Coach Bauermann. While the posts are strong, Bamberg wings are possibly the teams biggest strength. Former NBA wing Casey Jacobsen has scored 16.1ppg with 2.4reb and 3.1ast while drilling 43% from three point range in his 8 games with the Bamberg team. Another former NBA player, Vincent Yarbrough, joins Jacobsen as a swing man and has produced a solid 8.5ppg with 4.9reb and 32% three point shooting. Experienced German National team wing Robert Garrett (also a Bundesliga all star this season) contributes a steady 8.6ppg with 2.5reb and 43% three point shooting. Finally, off the bench, sharpshooter Tim Begley adds energy and 4.1ppg and 32% from beyond the arc. With all of these weapons, the key return of Stefan Hamann was a major step in the right direction. Hamann has scored 8.9ppg with 2.6reb and 3.7ast while shooting 43% from three, but his stats are secondary to the intangibles he brings. A fiery competitor, Hamann ignites his Bamberg teammates and sets the tone for the team. The final piece to the puzzel has been former Duke Blue Devil Sean Dockery. In 2 games with Bamberg, Dockery has scored 15.5ppg with 2.5reb and 2.5ast. He has made an impressive 12 of 15 free throws in his two appearances for Bamberg. Veteran forward Ivan Pavic and youngster point guard Sajmen Hauer round out the talented roster.
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Ulm PG Austen Rowland slices through defenders.
In the first meeting of the season between Ulm and Bamberg, the experienced Bamberg team broke open a close game to cruise to an 87-72 road win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg live on Premiere TV Sunday October 29th, 2006. In the game, Kezell Wesson neutralized Ulm's Jeff Gibbs with excellent defense and Vincent Yarbrough buried back to back game breaking threes in the second quarter to give Bamberg momentum. Former Bamberg PG DC Collins scored 16 points with 7 assists in the win. For Ulm, the loss to Bamberg was an excellent learning experience which later payed major dividends for their success.
This Saturday, ratiopharm Ulm enters Jako Arena in Bamberg with confidence from their positive steps forward throughout the season. While Bamberg provides an outstanding challenge, Ulm can play without pressure as no one expects anything other than a 20 point Bamberg blowout win. And while ratiopharm Ulm currently boasts a 5 game home win streak, winning on the road in the Bundesliga has proven much more difficult for the young Ulm team. For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturdays game is as much about development as results.
One excellent aspect from the Ulm lockerroom, star shooting guard Jonathan Levy will be back in the lineup after sitting out last Saturdays Nurnberg game recovering from a slight knee injury.
Ulm is happy experienced wing Jan Sprunken is back in the lineup!
Saturday night in Bamberg, ratiopharm Ulm faces their next test. And when dealing with a talented team like brose Baskets, all opponents should respond --- compete or get clowned!
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
JAKO Game at JAKO Arena!
Both ratiopharm Ulm and brose Baskets Bamberg are affiliated with JAKO sportswear as official uniform and gear provider. Currently more known with Soccer apparel, JAKO has attempted to break into basketball initially with these two teams. While Saturdays matchup on the court will finish with one winner, on the business side, the evening will be a JAKO Showcase between two JAKO teams at JAKO Arena!
SEVEN!
Bamberg head coach Dirk Bauermann, the German National team coach, has an impressive total of 7 Bundesliga Championships in his fantastic coaching career. Bauermann won 6 titles with Bayer Leverkusen during their dynasty years before capturing his 7th championship with Bamberg in 2004-2005. Last season Bauermann guided his Bamberg team to the best Euroleague finish from a German team in the competitions history.
ULM ON TV
Premiere, the German cable television provider, features Bundesliga basketball LIVE every Sunday at 5pm. This weekend, ratiopharm Ulm welcomes the Premiere crew into Sportszentrum Kuhberg for Ulm's return to prime time television coverage. Premiere shows the game live in Germany and Austria. Re-plays of the game will air throughout the week.
PLANET BASKETBALL
The basketball world is small. Bamberg C Darren Fenn, widely regarded among the best big men in Germany, graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Before his tremendous European professional career began, Fenn traveled overseas with a basketball team sponsored by Planet Basketball. With the touring team of college stars, Fenn played 3 games in Finland and 3 games in Czech Republic. His coach on the trip? ratiopharm Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor.
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain working hard consistently
Jonathan Levy: ready to return from slight knee injury
Jeff Gibbs: looks forward to rematch against talented Bamberg frontline
Austen Rowland: sparkled in Saturdays win over Nurnberg
Bryan Lucas: perimeter shooting can be a key to Ulms offensive success
Konrad Wysocki: energy for Ulm off the bench/key to team depth
Maksym Shtein: big challenge against powerful Bamberg frontline
Christian Grosse: ready to help team with shooting!
Florian Mobius: key post sub for Ulm/big strides this season!
Ian Young: looks forward to first crack at talented Bamberg backcourt
Jan Sprunken: looks to step up production in coming games
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Bamberg, Germany
Main Sponsor: brose
Home Court: JAKO Arena
website: www.brosebaskets.de
2005-2006: 24-6 2nd place
(W 1st R Playoff 3-1 Bonn; L 2nd R playoff 2-3 Cologne; *EUROLEAGUE 5th place (7-7) in Group A, then took 4th place (0-6) in Group F)
* best performance by German team in Euroleague
Offense: After a successful season was derailed by late injuries, Bamberg has added big athletes and skilled perimeters to their team for this season. Top big man Darren Fenn moves south to Bamberg after establishing himself as a Bundesliga elite bigman in Bremerhaven last year. Along with returning Chris Ensminger, Bamberg will be big, physical and talented. Athletic forwards K'zell Wesson and Vincent Yarborough (NBA exp) add a new element to Bamberg's frontcourt. Rising German star, the 6'11 Tim Olbrecht, also joins Bamberg after moving from Leverkusen. Important shooters Tim Begley and Robert Garrett return to add marksmenship and toughness to their team. New backcourt of DeJuan Collins and Adam Harrington had high expectations, but both were released earlier in the season. In their place, Bamberg signed intelligent and skilled Casey Jacobsen (a former NBA player) and brought back hardworking energizing point guard Stefan Hamann. Most recently, Sean Dockery was added to fill out the backcourt. Team players veteran Ivan Pavic and young talent PG Sajmen Hauer round out the roster. On top of all this talent, outstanding Head Coach Dirk Bauermann, the German National team leader, will be in charge. Expect Bamberg to be right in the mix with a great chance to claim another title.
Defense: Hardworking, physical, disciplined...these words describe the Bamberg defensive system under Bauermann. Excellent size and depth add championship potential to the frontcourt. A balanced well designed team directed by Bauermann will drive Bamberg this season. Bamberg will again be a class team in the league and a great example of Bundesliga basketball.
Manager: Wolfgang Heyder
Head Coach: Dirk Bauerman
Key Players:
Darren Fenn: outstanding All Star C/Bamberg's leading scorer
Casey Jacobsen: former Stanford and NBA wing/super offensive talent
Stefan Hamann: heart of team/former Bamberg PG returns from Italy
Sean Dockery: former Duke G/added to team/ stints in Artland and NBDL
K'Zell Wesson: excellent athletic 4/ returns from injury
Vincent Yarborough: former NBA F adds high level talent
Chris Ensminger: physical/big/experienced/depth in post
Tim Olbrecht: top German talent/6'11 and skilled!
Tim Begley: sweet shooting wing/ smart and tough
Robert Garrett: German National team wing/tough with J
Ivan Pavic: hardworking team player
Sajmen Hauer: excellent young PG
