TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM HOSTS DUSSELDORF FRIDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Dusseldorf Giants
Friday October 30th, 2009 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts Dusseldorf Giants Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. An important early season game between two teams looking to get on track, Ulm and Dusseldorf are both focused for their second win of the Beko Bundesliga season. For ratiopharm Ulm, the teams start has been a mix of their injury-riddled preseason, newly formed team and challenging early schedule. But despite the adversity, the Ulm players remain persistant and positive. The week of practice has been positive and productive. After facing two of the Bundesliga's best teams in Frankfurt and Berlin last weekend, Ulm looks to snap their three game losing streak with a hard-earned win Friday night.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey has his sights set on a win Friday night against Dusseldorf.
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Focused to play better together, ratiopharm Ulm spent significant time on their offensive flow along with important practice time on their defensive details. Looking to carry-over the effort from the practice court to the challenging matchup against the Giants, Ulm and Dusseldorf have played some exciting uptempo games over the last several seasons.
ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns currently leads his team in scoring (15.5ppg) and rebounding (7.8rpg).
Dusseldorf's 2009-2010 roster has upgraded in several positions with excellent additions including former Bundesliga Defensive Player of the Year Koko Archibong, sharpshooting center Jonathan Cox and talented combo guard BA Walker. Archibong is a terrific addition to the Dusseldorf team with his energy in the post and experience as a defensive stopper. At center, the former Creighton University Bluejay Jonathan Cox stretches the floor with his deep three point range and talented BA Walker can score and create offense from both backcourt positions. With the same playing style as over the last few seasons, Dusseldorf features an uptempo attack with excellent perimeter shooting. Head Coach Achim Kuczmann often uses a small-ball attack and spreads the floor with accurate three point shooting. Energizing forward Brant Bailey leads the offensive production as a small, perimeter skilled power forward. Sharpshooting Brendan Winters remains a key player for the Giants averaging a team best 14.5ppg with 3.8reb and 42% three point shooting on the early season. Logan Kosmalski has made an impact as a post man giving the Giants with skills in the paint. Athletic wing TJ Carter adds versatility and production on both ends of the floor and has returned to Dusseldorf after an excellent summer working out in Atlanta. Hardworking point guard Zack Whiting also returned to Dusseldorf after a move to Artland and is back home as the Giants floor general. Captain Gordon Geib brings energy and attacking pg play off the Giants bench. Rounding out the roster, Tom and Ben Spoeler and Matthias Goddek provide depth and potential for the future.
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz is looking to carry momentum from his strong performance in Berlin to Friday's home game against Dusseldorf.
This season, Dusseldorf is 1-3 with a 73-49 home victory over LTi Giessen 46ers October 18th. With tough road losses in Braunschweig 80-67 October 9th, 87-84 in Trier October 16th and 83-62 in Oldenburg October 23rd, Dusseldorf comes to Sportszentrum Kuhberg where they have lost each of the last three seasons. Ulm has won the last three matchups between the teams and holds a 4-2 lead over the Giants in games from the last three seasons.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing is ready to attack the tough defenses in the Bundesliga.
In Ulm's most recent matchup with Dusseldorf, ratiopharm Ulm former power forward Jeff Gibbs posted a physical 16 point 17 rebound double double while Sebastian Betz and the bench picked up for the absence of a flu-stricken Lee Humphrey in Ulm's hard-earned 76-67 home win over the Dusseldorf Giants Saturday night Febuary 7th, 2009 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Click for complete 2-7-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm and Dusseldorf played an exciting and intensely competitive game in their first meeting of the season. ratiopharm Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs scored the game winning basket with 8 seconds to play and the teams defense held on through the final buzzer in a thrilling 72-71 road win over Dusseldorf Giants Saturday night October 4th, 2008 at Burg-Wachter Costello Sportshalle in Dusseldorf Germany. The exciting game featuring two early season unbeaten teams played out as the tale of two halves with Ulm starting strong bursting to a 52-39 halftime lead and Dusseldorf answering with a tremendous second half surge. With 4 minutes remaining the game was tied at 66 and both teams had several opportunities to take the lead but failed to score for two minutes. Dusseldorf took a 71-68 advantage into the last minute of play but a strong Ulm defense, big baskets from Romeo Travis and Jeff Gibbs and a couple fortunate bounces helped Ulm earn the exciting road win. Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs stuffed the stat sheet scoring 18 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists and registering 3 blocks in a fantastic effort topped off with a fantastic finish!
click here for 10-4-08 Ulm @ Dusseldorf Game Summary!
In 2007-2008, ratiopharm Ulm and Bayer Leverkusen met for the final times on the floor before German pharmaceutical company Bayer stepped back as main sponsor in Leverkusen and the traditional basketball organization moved to nearby Dusseldorf. Ulm and Leverkusen split their games in 2007-2008. On March 24th, 2008, ratiopharm Ulm's 105-87 home win was the perfect remedy for the bitter pill of last seasons doule-overtime German Cup loss in Berlin which left everyone competitively-sick. Pharmaceutical products aside, ratiopharm Ulm's Easter Monday win gave the team and fans a 'Feel-good' performance to remember in taking a third straight Bundesliga win. In the last of the classic games between Pharmaceutical giants Bayer and ratiopharm, for Ulm, topping Leverkusen in a terrific team effort was good medicine.
Click here for Ulm v Leverkusen March 24, 2008 Game Summary!
Earlier last season on November 11th, 2007, ratiopharm Ulm went into Leverkusen and built a 14 point lead in the third quarter before Leverkusen's veteran shooter Tyron McCoy helped spark a comeback. With a strong fourth quarter, Leverkusen topped Ulm 87-77 in a fast-paced exciting game.
Click here for 11-11-07 Ulm @ Leverkusen Game Summary
In the 2006-2007 season, both teams protected their home floors in splitting the two head to head matchups. First, ratiopharm Ulm staged a tremendous comeback which was capped by Jonathan Levy's corner three pointer in the teams exciting 95-92 win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday November 25th. Click here for Game Summary. Later on in the season, Leverkusen used a fantastic three point shooting display from Brandon Woudstra in topping Ulm 89-84 Wednesday April 4th at Wilhelm Dopatka Halle. Click here for Game Summary After suffering through several significant injuries in the early season last year, Leverkusen got it together and marched right into the playoffs finishing the regular season in 7th place. During the playoffs, Ludwigsburg beat Leverkusen 3 games to 1. Both ratiopharm Ulm and Dusseldorf enter Saturday nights game focused for an important win.
Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm is focused for a strong home court performance as they expect and exciting uptempo game against the Dusseldorf Giants. In an early season game where both teams need a win, Ulm and Dusseldorf look to get on track. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Ulm Roster
Lee Humphrey: has enjoyed strong games v Giants last season
Rocky Trice: impact player for Ulm on both ends of floor
Coleman Collins:looks forward to challenge v Giants frontcourt
Christian Burns: leads Ulm in scoring and rebounding
Robin Benzing: talented rookie forward ready for weekend games
Per Gunther: young pg leads Ulm v Dusseldorf
Kevin Kanaskie: hardworking rookie backup pg
Sebastian Betz: looks to carry momentum from strong game in Berlin
John Bryant: hardworking post sub ready to boost Ulm's effort
Christian Grosse: working hard to get back in top shape
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer, Tunde Adekola
Location: Dusseldorf, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Burg-Wachter-Costello
website: www.giants-duesseldorf.de
2007-2008: 25-9 place 3rd place
Offense: Featuring an uptempo attack, Dusseldorf is an excellent perimeter shooting team and will often use small lineups looking to exploit matchups and outscore opponents. Playing unselfish, team basketball with skilled shooters, Dusseldorf is one of the fastes teams in the Bundesliga. Never out of a game because of their excellent shooting ability, the Giants are perimeter oriented and fun to watch.
Defense: Coach Achim Kuczmann will mix defenses playing a combination of man to man, zone and changing defenses. Dusseldorf aggressively plays passing lanes. The Giants will trap, double the post and change defenses from man to zone to mix up opposing attacks.
GM: Otto Reintjes
Head Coach: Achim Kuczmann
Players:
Brendan Winters: sharpshooting G leads team in scoring 14.5ppg
Gordon Geib: skilled PG/team captain
Brant Bailey: energizing F scores
Logan Kosmalski: smart post hardworking and team oriented
Zack Whiting: hardworking pg returns to Giants from Artland
BA Walker: talented young combo guard 11.3ppg
Koko Archibong: go-to Giant/ tremendous defender 13.3pt 6.8reb
Jonathan Cox: excellent shooting post man from Creighton U
TJ Carter: hardworking wing/ underrated/ active and energy
Tom Spoeler:
Ben Spoeler:
Matthias Goddek:
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ULM TRAVELS TO BREMERHAVEN!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Eisbaren Bremerhaven
Sunday November 1st, 2009 4pm
Stadthalle Bremerahven, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm completes their challenging two-game weekend with a Sunday road trip north to Bremerhaven for Game Day 8 in Beko Bundesliga action. While both teams focus on the Ulm against Bremerhaven matchup, fans will enjoy Ulm's first meeting against former All-Star power forward Jeff Gibbs who signed in Bremerhaven over the summer.
ratiopharm Ulm and power forward Christian Burns look forward to Sunday's road trip to the north sea and Bremerhaven.
When the ball goes up for tip off Sunday afternoon at Stadthalle in Bremerhaven, Ulm fans will see a familiar face in an unfamiliar uniform as former All-Star power forward Jeff Gibbs affectionately known as 'Mr Incredible' will not lineup in the orange and black of ratiopharm Ulm. After four outstanding seasons with Ulm, establishing himself as a dominant force in the paint leading the Bundesliga in rebounds three straight years, Jeff chose not to return to Ulm over the summer ending up in the Fishtown of Bremerhaven. Certainly a key player for the Eisbaren this season, the storyline for Sundays game will be the head to head matchup of Jeff Gibbs against his former team. Lost in the attention of Jeff Gibbs mania, blue-collar post man Bryan Lucas also meets his former Ulm team for the first time Sunday afternoon. Of course, both sides are more focused on the team aspects of the game, but the first matchup against a former team or former player or players is always memorable.
Former ratiopharm Ulm All-Star power forward Jeff Gibbs was a key part to the teams rise from the 2.Bundesliga and firmly estbalished himself as a force in the Bundesliga.
At 3-3, Bremerhaven opened the season with back to back losses 98-85 October 9th in Ludwigsburg and 77-73 at home to Braunschweig October 12th. Winning three straight games, Bremerhaven beat Paderborn 98-74 October 16th, 89-73 at home vs Trier October 18th and 87-81 away in Giessen October 23rd. Last game, the Eisbaren fell 88-80 to Ewe Baskets Oldenburg in their local rivalry October 25th. Friday night Bremerhaven plays south in Tubingen before returning home to face ratiopharm Ulm Sunday at Stadthalle.
ratiopharm Ulm Per Gunther is working his way back into top shape and gaining tremendous experience as his teams young floor general.
After struggling to a 7-27 record last season, Bremerhaven was relegated into the second league. But over the summer, GM Jan Rathjen led a campaign to earn a Bundesliga wildcard and when Nordlingen decided to play Pro A and Koln crashed financially, Bremerhaven bought the rights to play in the Bundesliga and re-established their presence in the league. While the team went through the process to compete at the highest level in German basketball, Bremerhaven also signed head coach Doug Spradley away from Paderborn. Together, Spradley and Rathjen embarked on the process of rebuilding the Bremerhaven roster. On paper, few teams have the depth and talent of the Eisbaren. Former Ulm post men Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas provide an inside-out threat to the frontcourt. Wide post man Kevin Lyde gives Bremerhaven tremendous size, strength and skill in the paint. Talented scoring forward Adrian Moss adds depth and explosiveness off the bench. Former NBA forward Rodney Buford is a terrific scorer and will take a major role in the Eisbaren offense. Sharpshooting german wing Philip Schwethelm joins Bremerhaven after a strong summer and two solid seasons in Koln. Hardworking German guard Jan Lipke brings tremendous energy to every game and recently added wing Torrell Martin adds versatility and skills to the Bremerhaven backcourt. Torrell was added to the Bremerhaven roster as an injury replacement in late-preseason for experienced shooter Steve Esterkamp who will be sidelined for the season. Key guards include veteran point guard Lou Campbell who returns to the Bundesliga after starring in Giessen in the early 2000's. Athletic rookie PG Brandon Brooks provides depth and a change of pace for Bremerhaven. Finally, former Trier forward Jonathan Moore adds depth and versatility to the frontcourt. Overall, the Bremerhaven roster has size, skill and depth and rank as one of the most talented teams in the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing takes aim on strong performances this weekend.
In recent seasons, ratiopharm Ulm and Bremerhaven have locked up for several exciting games. Over the last three years, Bremerhaven holds a 4-2 advantage over Ulm with the two teams splitting road wins the last two seasons and the Eisbaren sweeping Ulm in 2006-2007.
With a playoff place secure, ratiopharm Ulm slipped to an 89-81 home loss to last place Eisbaren Bremerhaven Thursday evening April 30th, 2009 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Bremerhaven's second quarter run helped the Eisbaren establish a 14 point lead. Holding off Ulm's comeback attempt, Bremerhaven earned their 6th win of the season while ratiopharm Ulm is now 20-13. All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a 20 point 16 rebound double double and Lee Humphrey hit 5 of 8 threes to add 19 points in the loss.
click for complete 4-30-09 Ulm v Bremerhaven Game Summary!
Earlier last 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!
2007-2008 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!
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 for Ulm @ Bremerhaven December 17, 2006 game summary
Click for Ulm v Bremerhaven April 15, 2007 game summary
ratiopharm Ulm travels to Bremerhaven Sunday morning flying from Memmingen to Bremen. Picked up at the Bremen airport by their double-decker Ulm team bus, the squad will drive to the Stadthalle in Bremerhaven as they prepare for Sunday's 4pm tip.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Location: Bremerhaven, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Stadthalle Bremerhaven
website: www.eisbaeren-bremerhaven.de
2008-2009: 7-27 18th place
2007-2008: 29-15 7th place
Playoffs: lost 3-0 to ALBA Berlin in 1st Round
Offense: Playing a power game featuring a talented and deep roster, Bremerhaven will attack with several post up options in the front court. Scoring is provided by wing Rodney Buford and the team is run by the experienced point guard play of Lou Campbell. Overall, the Eisbaren have a complete lineup with the ability to score in transition, attacking one on one, on the block, from beyond the arc and on the offensive glass.
Defense: A physical hardnosed man to man defensive team, the imposing size and physical strength of the Bremerhaven frontcourt is a clear strength of the team. Along with the tough man to man defense, Bremerhaven will play a 2-3 zone including sideline or endline situations.
GM: Jan Rathjen
Head Coach:
Players:
Jan Lipke: German wing/active perimeter/ energy player
Rodney Buford:former NBA wing a go to scorer for Bremerhaven
Lou Campbell: experienced PG keys Eisbaren attack
Kevin Lyde: wide physical inside presence from Temple
Philipp Schwethelm: excellent three point shooting wing
Adrian Moss: talented scoring forward adds versatility
Brandon Brooks: athletic PG fast in transition and explosive
Bryan Lucas: crafty inside scorer and 3pt shooting post
Jeff Gibbs: physical, versatile and excellent rebounder
Torrell Martin: recently added guard adds scoring to perimeter
Jonathan Moore: forward adds depth
