TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm Hosts Bremerhaven!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Eisbaren Bremerhaven
Thursday April 30th, 2009 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts Eisbaren Bremerhaven in a special Thursday night Bundesliga Game Day 33 matchup at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Playing a special Thursday night game, ratiopharm Ulm continues their preparation for the Bundesliga playoffs as they finish the regular season with two home games. Along with the build up for the post-season, ratiopharm Ulm received fantastic news earlier this week as power forward Jeff Gibbs was named 1st team All-Bundesliga and point guard Per Gunther was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star Power forward Jeff Gibbs was named First Team All-Bundesliga!
ratiopharm Ulm's successful 2008-2009 season has led to individual recognition as several awards were announced earlier this week. As expected, Jeff Gibbs was named to the First Team All Bundesliga squad joining Jason Gardner and Rickey Paulding from Ewe Baskets Oldenburg, Julius Jenkins from ALBA Berlin and Chris Ensminger from Paderborn. Along with the first team honors, Jeff Gibbs finished second in MVP voting behind Oldenburg's star point guard Jason Gardner. ratiopharm Ulm head coach Mike Taylor finished third in 'Coach of the Year' voting behind Gottingen's John Patrick and second place Predrag Krunic from Oldenburg. ratiopharm Ulm's rookie point guard Per Gunther highlighted the list capturing the 2008-2009 Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award. Overall, with the team success in earning their first playoff spot, ratiopharm Ulm can also be proud of their terrific achievements.
Entering Thursdays home game against Bremerhaven with a focus on their own performance, ratiopharm Ulm is coming off a hardfought 77-73 home win over Paderborn Saturday night. Ulm aims to use the game against Bremerhaven and their final game of the season against Nordlingen May 9th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg for playoff preparations. At 20-12, ratiopharm Ulm can finish no lower than the sixth seed and potentially could finish higher.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year earlier this week!
Meanwhile, the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season has been a difficult one for Eisbaren Bremerhaven. After three consecutive Bundesliga playoff appearances that saw them advance to the semifinals and an appearance in the German Cup Final, Bremerhaven hit rock bottom suffering through a 16 game losing streak this season. Throughout the struggles, Bremerhaven made several roster changes adding and subtracting players. The team also made a mid-season coaching change as assistant Algirdas Milonas took over for Dr Sarunas Sakalauskas. After a successful run leading Bremerhaven to the Bundesliga and three seasons of terrific success, Sakalauskas stepped away mid-season and Milonas has guided the Eisbaren to a 4-6 record over his first ten games but recently saw the team slide on a six game losing skid. At 5-26, Bremerhaven is locked into a relegation spot and will move down into the German Pro A second division unless they can somehow land a Bundesliga 'Wildcard' this offseason.
ratiopharm Ulm's Dan Fitzgerald.
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm put six players in double figures in a hard-earned 90-86 road win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven Sunday November 23rd, 2008 at Stadthalle in Bremerhaven. Ulm forward Romeo Travis scored a career high 25 points and Jeff Gibbs powered his way to an 18 point 11 rebound double double to pace Ulm production. A late third quarter run sparked by 11 straight Jeff Gibbs points helped Ulm take a 68-60 lead into the fourth quarter before clutch plays and cool free throw shooting helped Ulm earn the win.
click here for 11-23-08 Ulm @ Bremerhaven Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce
Last season in Bremerhaven, 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!
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis
Later April 4th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm,
ratiopharm Ulm had plenty of chances to get hot in a Friday night showdown against Bremerhaven, but in the end cold shooting and solid Eisbaren play combined to put Ulm on ice in an 82-75 home loss. Entering the game as the Bundesliga's top rated offense, Ulm struggled to 36% floor shooting including 9 for 35 (25%) from three while making only 10 of 20 from the foul line. Ulm's cold shooting froze their fourth quarter comeback attempt as Bremerhaven earned the road win.
Click here for 4-4-08 Ulm v Bremerhaven game summary!
In the 2006-2007 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.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn
Bremerhaven has worked through a variety of players this season. Throughout the disappointing results, the Eisbaren have fought and remained competitive. Several players provide energy despite the disappointing season. Point guard Giordan Watson (10.1ppg 2.8reb 3.9ast 31%threes) gives Bremerhaven an attacking offensive guard who can get to the basket and create. Hardworking shooting guard Jan Lipke (7.4ppg 27%threes) has emerged as an energy player with an aggressive style of play. Earning more minutes over the last months, Lipke has been impressive in recent games. Skilled combo guard Jeb Ivey (7ppg 37% threes) provides leadership as the team captain and can be very effective at either guard positions. Posting a season best 29 point 15 rebound double double last weekend in Nordlingen, former West Virginia Mountaineer Mike Gansey is in top form. Averaging 7.8ppg 3.9reb 31% threes for the season, Gansey is a threat every opponent must prepare for. Also giving Bremerhaven good minutes in the backcourt, point guard Eric Osmundson (5.5ppg 24% threes) was added midseason and has helped the Eisbaren to improve. Key players in the post include Craig Callahan, Yemi Nicholson, Jared Reiner and Frank Elegar. A terrific inside-out scoring presence, Callahan has produced 15.1ppg 6.8reb and hit 31% of his threes since joining Bremerhaven earlier this year. A go-to guy for the team, Callahan played well against Ulm earlier this season in Bremerhaven. Big and physical, Yemi Nicholson contributes 6.9ppg 4reb along with strong post defense. Athletic Frank Elegar has averaged 8.3ppg 5reb and brought a shot-blocking presence to the Bremerhaven low block. Missing the last three games, talented center Jared Reiner (13ppg 7.7reb) gives Bremerhaven a top one-two punch in the post when he is healthy. Finally, depth for the Eisbaren comes from post man Jannis Michael, three point shooting big man Moritz Wohlers and wing man Arturas Valeika. With a 5-26 record, the Eisbaren are playing out the string.
ratiopharm Ulm's Keith Triplett
Focusing on preparation for the playoffs, ratiopharm Ulm aims to use Thursday nights home game against Bremerhaven as an opportunity to get ready for the challenges ahead in the post season. Feeling good after last weekends hardfought home win over Paderborn and this weeks positive awards for Jeff Gibbs and Per Gunther, ratiopharm Ulm is ready for their 33rd game of the season Thursday night at home against Eisbaren Bremerhaven.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
TEAMMATES
ratiopharm Ulm post player Michael Schroeder and Bremerhaven shooting guard Jeb Ivey were teammates last season in Gottingen.
BBL AWARDS:
Most Valuable Player: Jason Gardner (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
Coach of the Year: John Patrick (MEG Göttingen)
Newcomer of the Year: Roderick Trice (MEG Göttingen)
Rookie of the Year: Per Günther (ratiopharm Ulm)
Best Offensive Player: Julius Jenkins (ALBA Berlin)
Best Defensive Player: Immanuel McElroy (ALBA Berlin)
All-BBL-First-Team:
Point Guard: Jason Gardner (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
Shooting Guard: Julius Jenkins (ALBA Berlin)
Small Forward: Rickey Paulding (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
Power Forward: Jeff Gibbs (ratiopharm Ulm)
Center: Chris Ensminger (Paderborn Baskets)
All-BBL-Second-Team:
Point Guard: Kyle Bailey (MEG Göttingen)
Shooting Guard: Roderick Trice (MEG Göttingen)
Small Forward: Immanuel McElroy (ALBA Berlin)
Power Forward: Predrag Suput (Brose Baskets)
Center: Rasko Katic (WALTER Tigers Tübingen)
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain is excellent team player
Romeo Travis: nursing minor toe injury
Jeff Gibbs: All Star has been most consistent Ulmer
Keith Triplett : Ulm defensive stopper ready for action
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooting G topscored v Paderborn
Dru Joyce: floor general leading Ulm attack
Per Gunther: named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year!
Dan Fitzgerald: sharpshooting F enjoying excellent season
Sean Finn: strong game v Paderborn/ready for Bremerhaven
Sebastian Betz: enjoying excellent season
Michael Schroeder: provides post depth
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Stadthalle Bremerhaven
website: www.eisbaeren-bremerhaven.de
2007-2008: 29-15 7th place
Playoffs: lost 3-0 to ALBA Berlin in 1st Round
Offense: Bremerhaven plays with a similar game plan to successful seasons past but this year the Eisbaren push the tempo a bit more. With lightning quick point guard Giordan Watson attacking, Bremerhaven also features shooters Jeb Ivey, Zygimantis Jonusas and Mike Gansey. In the post, recently signed Craig Callahan is expected to help production lost from releasing Marcus Slaughter. Frank Elegar has been an impressive new post man in the paint and Jannis Michael and Mortiz Wholers are solid off the bench. With so many new faces on the team, Bremerhaven will come together as the season goes on.
Defense: A man to man defensive team, point guard Giordan Watson has the ability to apply tremendous ballpressure. Frank Elegar is an exceptional athlete and a great shot blocking presence in the paint. Always known as a hardworking defensive team, Bremerhaven looks to rely on their defense to get back to their winning ways.
GM: Jan Rathjen
Head Coach: Sarunas Sakalauskas
Players:
Jeb Ivey: all star last season with Gottingen/11.2pt 39% 3's
Giordan Watson: 10.7pt 4.3a 30%3/ quick pg
Frank Elegar: athletic post 9.6pt 5reb plays above rim
Jan Lipke: German wing/active perimeter/ 3.8pt 25%threes
Mike Gansey: 3pt shooting wing from West Virginia U/ 5.8pt 3.8r
Moritz Wholers: German forward/ skilled perimeter big man
Darius Pakamanis: 3pt shooting G/ 6.3ppg 33%threes
Yemi Nicholson: big 5 man/4.7pt 3.1r physical in paint
Jannis Michael: physical post man/hardworking F on both ends
Craig Callahan: go-to scorer with inside out skills as a 4 man
Jared Reiner: has missed last three Bremerhaven games to injury
