TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm Visits Bremerhaven!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Eisbaren Bremerhaven
Sunday November 23rd, 2008 4pm
Stadthalle Bremerhaven Bremerhaven, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm visits Stadthalle Bremerhaven for a 4pm Sunday afternoon tipoff against Eisbaren Bremerhaven in Bundesliga Game Day 11. The back end of a two-game 'North Sea road trip', Ulm stayed in Oldenburg after Wednesday nights German Cup loss practicing at the Ewe Baskets facility in preparation for Sundays game. Building on last weekends home win over Koln, ratiopharm Ulm has enjoyed quality time together and is excited about the challenge Sunday in Bremerhaven.
Ulm floor general Dru Joyce leads his team into Bremerhaven Sunday!
The 2008-2009 Bundesliga season has not been easy for the Eisbaren. Bremerhaven has made the playoffs every season since moving up to the Bundesliga, the Eisbaren have hit a cold spell starting the new year. Bremerhaven won their first game of the season in Braunschweig but have fell into a losing streak. Suffering several close losses, Bremerhaven recently made some roster moves designed to improve their team. Despite leading the Bundesliga in scoring, Marcus Slaughter was released recently and veteran big man Craig Callahan was added earlier this week. With an improved team-chemistry after the roster moves, Head Coach Sarunas Sakalauskas, the 2006 Bundesliga coach of the year, is focused to get Bremerhaven back on track.
Ulm's Romeo Travis is focused for a strong game Sunday in Bremerhaven.
ratiopharm Ulm aims to stay on track and build on last weekends home win over Koln at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. After a strong start to the season, ratiopharm Ulm strives for more consistent play in upcoming games. The last two games, Ulm started slow overcoming a sluggish first quarter with a 38 point explosion in the second quarter in the home win over Koln and falling behind in Wednesdays German Cup loss in Oldenburg before being knocked out of the competition in an 82-70 loss. Stay in Oldenburg between games, Ulm enjoyed two quality practices with a strong defensive focus. Refocusing on fundamental habits and defensive discipline, Ulm aims to carry-over their hardwork on the practice court to Sundays game in Bremerhaven.
All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs has been the most consistent player ratiopharm Ulm this year!
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!
Ulm center Sean Finn tips in a rebound in the recent win over Koln!
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!
Ulm's Keith Triplett plays with tremendous intensity and energy!
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.
Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther
Bremerhaven rebuilt their team in the offseason and added several excellent new players. Former Gottingen All Star guard Jeb Ivey is the new team captain for the Eisbaren and averages 11.2ppg 2.5reb 2.6ast while shooting 39% threes and 72% from the foul line. A constant perimeter threat, Ivey is also a hardworking team leader for Bremerhaven. At the point, rookie Giordan Watson has made an impact scoring 10.7ppg, 2.4reb 4.3ast while hitting 30% threes. Watson is lightning quick and excels in transition. Super-athletic Frank Elegar plays above the rim and is a terrific shot blocker on defense. Elegar averages 9.6ppg 5reb in his first 10 Bundesliga games. Former West Virginia University standout Mike Gansey plays for Bremerhaven and has produced 5.8ppg 3.8reb while adjusting to European play. Powerful big man Yemi Nicholson is a strong post defender and skilled in the lane who adds 4.7ppg 3.1reb. Recently, Bremerhaven's all star shooting guard Zygimantas Jonusas returned from injury and his presence from the Eisbaren attack has been missed. Jonusas is a terrific offensive player who is capable of carrying his team with excellent outside shooting and scoring. Bremerhaven's bench includes Moritz Wholers and Jannis Michael in the post along with Darius Pakamanis (6.3ppg 30% threes) and Jan Lipke (3.8ppg 25% threes) on the perimeter. While Marcus Slaughter's offensive talents were undeniable, as evidenced from his excellent production, Bremerhaven hopes the addition of a solid veteran big man like Craig Callahan brings more to the team in terms of chemistry and teamwork. Callahan has been an outstanding post player in the Czech Republic and high leagues in Spain. The former UNC Wilmington standout is expected to play Sunday making his Eisbaren Bremerhaven debut against ratiopharm Ulm.
Ulm's sharpshooting forward Dan Fitzgerald continues his outstanding rookie season.
Productive on their road trip, ratiopharm Ulm has used the opportunity to spend time together on and off the floor turning the three days between games into a training-camp type program with central focus on the team and improvement. Ulm hopes Michael Schroder will return from his leg injury but the big man will be a game-time decision. Focused for 40 minutes of consistency, a strong start and defensive discipline, ratiopharm Ulm is excited about the challenge on the floor Sunday in 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 Gottingen shooting guard Jeb Ivey were teammates last season in Gottingen.
ROAD TRIP
ratiopharm Ulm stayed in Oldenburg practicing at Ewe Baskets facilities Thursday and Friday before traveling to Bremerhaven on Saturday in preparation for Sundays game. Thankful for Oldenburg's hospitality, ratiopharm Ulm enjoyed productive practices and quality team time together on the road trip.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain is excellent team player
Romeo Travis: versatile F focused for strong game Sunday
Jeff Gibbs: All Star has been most consistent Ulmer
Keith Triplett : Ulm defensive stopper ready for Sunday action
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooting G drilled 4 threes Wednesday night
Dru Joyce: floor general does many small things that mean alot
Per Gunther: talented rookie PG ready for first game in Bremerhaven
Dan Fitzgerald: sharpshooting F enjoying excellent year
Sean Finn: 18pt 11reb Wednesday in German Cup
Sebastian Betz: 9pt in German Cup loss against Oldenburg
Michael Schroeder: big man is a game-time decision with leg injury
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
Zigmantus Jonusas: all star guard recently returned from injury
