TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BIG BASKETBALL WEEKEND!
ratiopharm Ulm v LTi Giessen 46ers
Friday October 31, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm v ALBA Berlin
Sunday November 2, 2008 3pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts a big basketball weekend filled with two exciting home games at Sportszentrum Kuhberg against LTi Giessen 46ers Friday night and reigning Bundesliga champions ALBA Berlin Sunday!
All Star Jeff Gibbs leads ratiopharm Ulm into the exciting basketball weekend at Sportszentrum Kuhberg!
Over the long history of Bundesliga basketball in Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Giessen has been a familiar foe for Ulm teams. Playing their 42nd season in the Bundesliga, recent times have been financially hard for the 46ers as the team built up significant debt. After struggling to make it through the 2007-2008 Bundesliga season, the 46ers announced more financial problems earlier this year.
Simon Cote is the new head coach at Giessen and leads the 46ers into Sportszentrum Kuhberg for Friday nights showdown. A former Deutsche Bank Skyliners assistant, Cote replaced Thorsten Leibenath who left Giessen for Artland last summer. Despite the coaching change, Giessen's roster features several key returning players including scoring guard Michael Umeh along with veteran big men Gerrit Tredenge and Florian Hartenstein. The former UNLV guard, Umeh currently averages 12ppg 3.7reb while shooting 45% from three and 84% from the foul line. After a strong season with the 46ers last year, Umeh returns as a go-to-guy this season. An experienced left handed forward, Terdenge is a skilled post man with nice perimeter shooting touch who produces 9.1ppg 5.3reb. The hardworking Hartenstein (6.7ppg 2reb) has been a role player for the 46ers for several seasons and has recently moved into the starting lineup. While these three returning players are keys to the Giessen team, two current 46ers have returned to the team after their careers took them elsewhere. Point guard Heiko Schaffartzik has been in top form this season averaging a team best 16ppg 2.3reb 4.1ast on 44% three point shooting and 80% from the foul line. After playing recent years in Oldenburg and Ludwigsburg, Schaffartzik has emerged as an explosive perimeter shooter and made his mark burying a buzzer beating game winner against Bonn. While Schaffartzik is making an impact in the Giessen backcourt, former German National team big man Robert Maras is back with the 46ers and provides a solid veteran presence on the front line. Maras has posted 8.3ppg 4.7reb and hit 88% of his free throws. Key offseason signing Maurice Jeffers has scored 11.4ppg 4.4reb while hitting 35% from three. The former Sacramento Kings second round draft pick out of St Louis University is an experienced wing after a successful run in Spanish professional leagues. Talented young Johannes Lischka (4.9ppg 1.4reb) continues to develop and improve while gaining more minutes with the team. Veteran point guard Danny Lewis (3.4ppg 2.1reb) gives Giessen an experienced backup while Corey Rouse (6ppg 4.4reb) provides depth, athleticism and experience in the post. The 46ers have played with great energy with a chip on their shoulder throughout the season and have rallied together to get through the teams financial adversity off the floor.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald has been outstanding in the teams last two games sinking 7 of 9 three point shots.
In the last two seasons, Ulm and Giessen have met five times with both teams earning victories. In 2007-2008, Ulm and the 46ers split a pair of Bundesliga games with each team winning on their home floor.
Click for complete Ulm @ Giessen Game Summary 2-24-2008!
Click for complete Ulm v Giessen Game Summary 10-19-2007!
In the 2006-2007 season, Giessen topped Ulm twice in Bundesliga action but ratiopharm Ulm knocked the 46ers from the German Cup with a win at Giessen's Sporthalle East. To read the Taylorhoops Game Summaries from these matchups, please click the links below:
Ulm @ Giessen April 13th, 2007
Ulm @ Giessen in German Cup Febuary 14th, 2007
Ulm v Giessen December 10th, 2006
Both teams have played uptempo basketball in their meetings over the last two years and more excitement is expected from Fridays matchup at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Ulm point guard Dru Joyce
Giessen has improved as the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season has gone on. This season, the 46ers struggled to start suffering a 91-64 defeat at the hands of Ewe Baskets Oldenburg Saturday September 20th in their season opener on the road at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg. Maurice Jeffers was the top player for the 46ers that night with 14 points 4 rebounds. Game two saw the 46ers fall 81-66 to ALBA Berlin Saturday September 27th in Giessen. The 46ers fought nose to nose with Berlin for three quarters and Florian Hartenstein led the attack with 17 points. Giessen lost two straight road games in Artland 69-68 October 4th and in Tubingen 78-67 October 11th. Heiko Schaffartzik buried his game winner giving Giessen an exciting 70-67 home win over Telekom Baskets Bonn October 18th helping the 46ers earn their first win of the year. Koln edged Giessen 86-81 October 24th at Rheinenergie Dome in Koln before the 46ers earned their second win of the season with a 90-84 home victory over Eisbaren Bremerhaven. Now 2-5, the 46ers have played a challenging schedule and are moving in the right direction.
ratiopharm Ulm enters Fridays game at 4-2 after back to back road losses in Oldenburg and Artland. In both games, ratiopharm Ulm played well before dropping tight decisions on the road against two of the Bundesliga's top teams. Artland currently sits second in the standings while Oldenburg is third with Ulm in fourth place entering play Friday. Ulm has earned two home wins at Sportszentrum Kuhberg beating Braunschweig in their home opener September 27th before topping Frankfurt October 11th. The teams committment to defensive effort and teamwork have been keys to their strong start. Over the last two games, Center Sean Finn has been in top form scoring 21 points with 6 rebounds in Oldenburg and 23 points on 10 of 12 shooting in Artland. Finn is now 30 of 46 from the floor (65.2%) for the season ranking 4th in the Bundesliga in field goal percentage among players with over 30 attempts. Also producing extremely well for Ulm is sharpshooting forward Dan Fitzgerald who has hit 7 of his 9 threes over the last two games. Playing two games in three days over the exciting basketball weekend, Ulm hopes for production from their entire roster.
Tipping off a fantastic basketball weekend Friday night against Giessen, ratiopharm Ulm is focused for their next challenge from the 46ers.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2008 3PM TIP
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Sunday afternoon, ratiopharm Ulm hosts Bundesliga power ALBA Berlin for the second game of their exciting basketball weekend at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Last season, Ulm upset ALBA twice in the Bundesliga regular season and nearly made it a third with a thrilling double overtime cup loss at MaxSchmellinghalle.
When basketball fans think of the best teams in Germany, ALBA Berlin is always involved in the discussion. Last season, Head Coach Luka Pavicevic led his ALBA team to the Bundesliga championship in his first season on the job. The organizations 8th Bundesliga title, ALBA Berlin is also a 4 time German Cup winner and has finished first in Bundesliga regular season standings each of the last 5 years. A dominant team in the 1990's, ALBA Berlin became a dynasty in German basketball during the Wendell Alexis era as the team captured the imagination of basketball fans in Deutschland. Much like a dominant franchise such as the New York Yankees or Dallas Cowboys, fans expect greatness from ALBA and every season is judged by Championships in Berlin.
Winning the Bundesliga championship last season, ALBA Berlin returns to the Euroleague in 2008-2009 and compete in Group C against European powers Tau Ceramica Victoria in Spain, Lottomatica Roma in Italy, DKV Joventut Badalona in Spain, Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul in Turkey and Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia. Even more exciting, ALBA moves from traditional MaxSchmellinghalle to the beautiful new NBA caliber O2 World arena and have drawn 15,000 and 13,000 fans to their early season home games. The fantastic new O2 World Arena played host to a preseason NBA game between the New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards earlier this month and will host the Euroleague Final Four in May. Certainly the first class new home for ALBA Berlin puts them among elite basketball organizations in Europe.
Ulm center Sean Finn works in the post against ALBA Berlin's Aleksander Nadjfeji in last seasons Ulm-ALBA matchup at MaxSchmellinghalle in Berlin.
Wednesday March 19th, 2008, ratiopharm Ulm visited MaxSchmelling Arena for a German Cup Elite Eight round game with a trip to the Top 4 in Hamburg on the line. After upsetting ALBA twice in the regular season, Ulm's third attempt fell short in a double overtime classic Bundesliga game. Ulm's heroic effort was spoiled by now Sacramento King PG Bobby Brown's big shots and Bundesliga MVP Julius Jenkins second-OT three pointers.
Click here for Ulm @ ALBA German Cup Elite Eight Game Summary!
click here for Ulm @ ALBA German Cup photo gallery!
Against the odds, ratiopharm Ulm swept ALBA in the two Bundesliga regular season games. March 8th, 2008 ratiopharm Ulm went into MaxSchmellinghalle and emerged against long odds with a hardfought 94-90 upset win. A terrific team effort, Ulm's offense made big plays while the defense recorded important stops. The Game Day 23 win in 2007-2008 marked the first time ratiopharm Ulm had ever won at MaxSchmellinghalle.
Click here for complete Ulm @ ALBA Game Summary 3-8-08
ratiopharm Ulm celebrated two exciting upsets of ALBA Berlin last season before ALBA eliminated Ulm from the German Cup in a classic double overtime game.
Ulm's amazing 92-90 upset win over ALBA Berlin at Sportszentrum Kuhberg October 27th, 2007 was the first time in team history the German power fell in Ulm. An outstanding team performance led to a memorable win for the Ulm organization and helped to spark early season success.
Click here for complete Ulm v ALBA Game Summary 10-27-07
Classic image of David v Goliath as Jeff Gibbs battles ALBA Berlins center Patrick Femerling for post position last October at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
In 2006-2007, ratiopharm Ulm dropped two decisions to ALBA Berlin, losing 88-67 Saturday October 7, 2006 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg and falling 73-64 at Max Schmellinghalle in Berlin Febuary 4th, 2007.
Click here for complete Ulm @ ALBA Flashback 2-4, 2007
Click here for complete Ulm vs ALBA Flashback 10-7, 2006
Certainly, ALBA Berlin is upset about last seasons upsets and will bring tremendous focus into the first meeting of 2008-2009. In the midst of a long road trip, ALBA will stay four complete days in Ulm after arriving from a Euroleague game against Fenerbahce Ulker in Istanbul Turkey Thursday night October 30th. After playing Ulm Sunday November 2nd, ALBA will stay before departing to play their next Euroleague game November 5th in Spain against Tau Ceramica. Despite their high-level Euroleague opponents that bookend Sunday's game in Ulm, after last seasons exciting upsets ratiopharm Ulm will not sneak up on powerful ALBA Berlin.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther continues to impress with his terrific point guard play!
Hosting an action-packed double game day weeknd at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, the city of Ulm has alot to be excited about. Tradition and history continue as LTi Giessen and ALBA Berlin return to the Kuhberg floor like many times before. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
KANSAS CAGERZ
Current Giessen 46er forward Maurice Jeffers was a second round draft pick of the Sacramento Kings coming out of St Louis University. As part of his successful professional career, Mo played two seasons with the Kansas Cagerz in the USBL where he was a primary player in the teams attack. Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor served as a Cagerz assistant in the summers of 2004 and 2005.
BUNDESLIGA BEST!
ratiopharm Ulm meets one of the elite teams in the Bundesliga Saturday as ALBA Berlin visits Sportszentrum Kuhberg. ALBA won the German Championship 7 straight seasons from 1997 through 2003, captured the German Cup 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003 and even won the Korac Cup in 1995. ALBA's 8th Bundesliga championship last season was their first since 2003.
www.bbl.tv
New for basketball fans all over the world is the opportunity to watch Bundesliga basketball live online with www.bbl.tv.
FROM NURNBERG TO BERLIN!
Ulm's opponent ALBA Berlin features one of the top guards in the Bundesliga in Julius Jenkins. The 2007-2008 Bundesliga MVP, Ulm fans will remember Jenkins from his time excelling with Nurnberg in the 2.Bundesliga South. After joining the team midway through the 2003-2004 season, Jenkins was the MVP of the 2.Bundesliga South in 2004-2005 leading Nurnberg to the title and Aufsteig. Moving on to Bree in Belgium, Julius joined ALBA Berlin last season in 2006-2007 and is now one of the most electrifying scorers in the Bundesliga. Julius recently signed a three year contract extension with ALBA Berlin.
1000 BUNDESGLIA GAMES!
Sunday when ratiopharm Ulm hosts ALBA Berlin, the game will be special to the ALBA organization as it will be the 1000th Bundesliga game for ALBA Berlin.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain provides depth and experience
Romeo Travis: versatile forward looks to win battles v Giessen and ALBA
Jeff Gibbs: leads Ulm in scoring, rebounds and assists!
Keith Triplett : defensive stopper ready for challenges this weekend
Lee Humphrey: focused to adjust to stifling defenses
Dru Joyce: floor general leads Ulm into exciting weekend
Per Gunther: talented young PG most impressive young German
Dan Fitzgerald: outstanding back to back games/hit 7 of 9 threes
Sean Finn: excellent production in Artland/ready for games in Ulm!
Sebastian Betz: strong minutes in Artland/ Basti ready for weekend
Michael Schroeder: physical inside presence ready to bang on the block!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Giessen, Germany
Main Sponsor: LTi
Home Court: Sporthalle Giessen East
website: www.giessen46ers.de
2007-2008: 9-25 16th place
Offense: An uptempo team, the 46ers are playing fast under new Head coach Simon Cote. Pushing the basketball looking to score quick and shoot threes, the 46ers like ballscreens and will use ballscreens to the middle or sideline. Most scoring punch comes from talented German PG Heiko Schaffartzik who is coming into his own with a great start to the season. Along with Schaffartzik, scoring guard Michael Umeh can produce points in bunches and solid new addition Maurice Jeffers gives the 46ers a strong backcourt. The experienced frontcourt has done the dirty work for the team early this year and veteran Gerrit Terdenge is a skilled inside-out scorer. Giessen is a team that relies on their teamwork and hardwork but their offensive firepower can not be overlooked.
Defense: Defensively, the team has been a solid man to man team early in the season. With hardworking team leader Flo Hartenstein inserted into the lineup, the 46er defense has a player who will bang and by physical. With good size in the post, Giessen guards are able to pressure on the perimeter. Corey Rouse adds an athletic element on the defensive end and on the boards. After a debacle in their season opener at Oldenburg, the 46er defense has steadily improved and helped the team earn important wins over Bonn and Bremerhaven.
Head Coach: Simon Cote
Players:
Heiko Schaffartzik: sweet shooting German PG/3pt threat
Michael Umeh: scoring G from UNLV is go-to guy in 2nd season with 46ers
Maurice Jeffers: former Sacramento Kings 2nd roundpick/nice addition
Danny Lewis: 37yr old vet pg/ provides depth and steady play
Corey Rouse: athletic F moves to Giessen from Nurnberg
Gerrit Terdenge: veteran forward one of 2 returning players
Flo Hartenstein: 46ers tradition/ hardworking team player
Robert Maras: former German National team C returns to 46ers
Johannes Lischka: talented young German F
Location: Berlin, Germany
Main Sponsor: ALBA
Home Court: O2 World Berlin
website: www.albaberlin.de
2007-2008: 27-7 1st place
Playoffs: Won Bundesliga Championship
ULEB Cup: 3rd place (4-6) in Group A
Offense:
Defense:
GM: Robert Mayer / Henning Harnisch / Carsten Rühl
Head Coach: Luka Pavicevic
Players:
Julius Jenkins: scoring combo G all star game MVP and Bundesliga MVP
Joe Herbert: rehabbing knee injury
Ansu Sesay: former NBA F making positive impact on ALBA team
Immanuel McElroy: relentless wing a steal from Koln
Aleksandar Nadjfeji: all star F picked a key to ALBA success
Dragan Dojcin: talented 4 man from Panionios Athen
Steffen Hamann: firey PG joins ALBA from Bamberg
Rashad Wright: highly talented PG adds depth and skill to new team
Adam Chubb: Bundesliga all star from Bremerhaven/Artland joins ALBA
Casey Jacobsen: former NBA wing was Bundesliga Offensive MVP 2006
Patrick Femerling: German National team C
Oskar Fasler: young player injured in preseason
Yannick Evans: returns to ALBA after stint away
