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ratiopharm Ulm Visits Dusseldorf in Final Road Trip of Season
ratiopharm Ulm vists Burg-Wachter-Costello for their final road game of the season Friday night facing Dusseldorf Giants in the first game of their exciting two game weekend.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther is focused for Friday's final road game of the season in Dusseldorf.
As Ulm looks to finish their season strong, this weekend's matchups provide two challenging teams playing for different reasons. Friday night, the Dusseldorf Giants have their backs against the wall as they fight against the odds to stay in the Bundesliga. For ratiopharm Ulm, Friday's road game against Dusseldorf is the last road trip for the 2010-2011 Beko Basketball Bundesliga season and the team looks to finish the final away game with a win.
ratiopharm Ulm captain hit five of six threes for a game best 19 points last Friday against Ludwigsburg.
Dusseldorf's 2010-2011 team has been put together with a low budget as the Giants fought for survival last summer. Head coach Murat Didin, who enjoyed two tremendously successful stints with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners, signed on at Dusseldorf and has worked dilligently to rebuilt the team. Even within the season, Dusseldorf saw a major roster turnover. In the last seven games, key players for the Giants early in the season are no longer active with the team including Rans Brempong, Jamal Tatum, Olu Famutimi and others have moved to other teams within Germany including Nikhita Khartchenkov and Eric Verniesel. A constant for Dusseldorf this season has been DeAndre Haynes leads who the attack from the point guard position with Dusseldorf after playing last year in Paderborn. Another veteran guard, Stephen Wright, has returned from injury to add a perimeter threat for the Giants. Patrick Pope provides depth and skill on the perimeter while Marin Petric has been giving the team backup minutes as the point. Young German shooting guard Patrick Wischnewski has also gained solid Bundesliga experince this season. In the post, Dusseldorf's key addition mid season was big five man Esmir Rizvic who has solidified the middle producing 10.8ppg 6.9reb since joining the Giants from Turkey. Athletic forward Gordon Watt has also added a spark and hardworking post man Joe Buck adds depth. Skilled forward Laimonas Kisielius has been a steady productive player with 8.9ppg 4.4reb 28% from three for the Giants this season. Throughout the challenges the team has faced, Dusseldorf has fought to win 2 of their last five games including their last home game against Bonn.
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz has enjoyed a solid season providing energy as Ulm's 6th man.
Finishing in 17th place in 2009-2010, Dusseldorf was relegated out of the Bundesliga but returned to the Bundesliga this off-season with a wild card. Financial problems have plagued the Giants off the floor and once again the team battled adversity as 2010-2011 began. After dropping their first 8 games of the season, Dusseldorf took back to back wins beating MBC 69-67 November 21st in Dusseldorf before knocking off Hagen 86-58 November 27th in Hagen. After improving to 2-8, Dusseldorf dropped their next six in a row including the December 26th 76-64 decision to ratiopharm Ulm. After a win to snap the streak, the Giants lost 9 straight games and bottomed out at 3-23. But with their backs against the wall, Dusseldorf continues to fight and have earned wins in two of their last five games. Entering Friday night, Dusseldorf is three games behind in the race against relegation so their next loss next win from Bayreuth or Giessen seals their fate.
In the first meeting this season, ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant powered his way to a 26 point 18 rebound double double, Ulm outrebounded Dusseldorf 45-32 and limited the Giants to 34% shooting in a 76-64 Christmas Game home win Sunday December 26th, 2010 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Along with the strong play from John Bryant, Ulm received 15 points 5 rebounds 3 assists from Robin Benzing and 15 points 5 rebounds 3 assists from Rocky Trice in the Holiday win. Sunday's 76-64 Christmas Game victory was a gift all ratiopharm Ulm fans of all ages could share together at Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the Holidays.
click for complete 12-26-10 Ulm vs Dusseldorf Christmas Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant powered his team with a 26 point 18 rebound double double in Sunday's 76-64 home win over Dusseldorf Giants.
click here for Box score
click here for post game Press Conference
click here for photo gallery from Ulm v Dusseldorf
Although Dusseldorf has played only three seasons in the Bundesliga, the team has long and successful tradition from earlier times in Leverkusen. Last season, ratiopharm Ulm and Dusseldorf split games with each team winning on the opposing teams home court. Febuary 21st, 2010, Ulm edged Dusseldorf in an exciting game at Burg Wachter Costello.
One second can change a game. Trailing by one, 71-70 with 33 seconds to play, ratiopharm Ulm dug in for a Dusseldorf endline inbound play with one second remaining on the shot clock. In an instant, a deflection and loose ball recovered by Rocky Trice ignited an Ulm 2 on 1 fast break that Robin Benzing finished with a two hand slam giving Ulm a 72-71 lead with 18 seconds to play. Moments later it was rookie Robin Benzing cooly sinking two clutch free throws lifting Ulm to the hardfought victory. Coleman Collins was in top form leading Ulm's attack with 22 points 4 boards while Rocky Trice added a 17 point 10 rebound double double and Robin Benzing finished with 15 points including 7 in the last two minutes helping Ulm seal the win. A terrific team performance, Ulm showed their improvement and earned an important 'W' in Dusseldorf!
Click here for 2-21-10 Ulm @ Dusseldorf Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins was in top form Sunday Febuary 21st, 2010 against Dusseldorf scoring 22 points with several fantastic finishes and highlight slams!
In the first meeting between Ulm and Dusseldorf of 2009-2010, a 20-0 Dusseldorf run and 1 for 24 three point shooting frustrated ratiopharm Ulm in Friday night October 30, 2009 88-60 home debacle against the Dusseldorf Giants at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Holding a 40-38 late first half lead, several turnovers rattled ratiopharm Ulm as the young team lost their composure giving Dusseldorf a 50-40 halftime lead. Ulm's 0 for the second half three point shooting frustrated the young team as Dusseldorf ran away with the game in the second half.
Click here for 10-30-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther finishes a layup in the first half of Friday night October 30th, 2009 game against Dusseldorf at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Per scored 8 points with 2 assists in the loss.
click here for Box score 10-30-09
click here for regio-tv report from Dusseldorf game 10-30-09
click for 10-30-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf photo gallery from Sudwest Presse
Click for 10-30-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf photo gallery
In 2008-2009 matchup with Dusseldorf, former ratiopharm Ulm 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.
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: captain ready for final road game of season in Dusseldorf
Rocky Trice: impact player for Ulm out with knee injury
Coleman Collins: enjoyed excellent games vs Dusseldorf last season
Robin Benzing: focused to finish the season strong with Ulm
Per Gunther: has enjoyed strong season with much improvement
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing brings energy to Ulm team
John Bryant: C leads Bundesliga in rebounding and efficiency
Travis Walton: PG providing depth to Ulm backcourt
Sean Sonderleiter: post man has fought foul trouble all season
Tommy Mason-Griffin: skillful young pg gaining good experience
Michael Wenzl: young C playing role on team well
Dan Fitzgerald: sharpshooting F looks to finish season well
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Tunde Adekola
Location: Dusseldorf, Germany
Main Sponsor: GLORIA
Home Court: Burg-Wachter-Costello
website: www.giants-duesseldorf.de
2007-2008: 25-9 3rd place
2008-2009: 14-20 12th place
2009-2010: 8-26 17th place (relegated/wild card)
Offense: Featuring an uptempo attack, Dusseldorf relies on point guard DeAndre Haynes to run the show. As a team the Giants have perimeter skilled men and will often use small lineups.
Defense: Coach Murat Didin will mix defenses playing a combination of man to man, zone and changing defenses. Dusseldorf aggressively plays passing lanes and pressures the basketball.
Head Coach: Murat Didin
Players:
DeAndre Haynes: experienced PG a playmaker for Giants
Laimonas Kisielius: skilled perimeter forward
Rans Brempong: athletic, shot blocking energizing center
Esmir Rizvic: new center solidifies middle for Giants
Patrick Pope: skilled shooting guard recently signed and making impact
Joe Buck: hardworking post man provides depth
Steven Wright: veteran combo guard helping Giants attack
Patrick Wischnewski: gaining quality experience with Giants
Marin Petric: providing backup pg minutes for Dusseldorf
Gordon Watt: joined team midseason and has been solid at F
Dorian McDaniel: provides depth for Giants |
