TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
@
LEVEL IN LEVERKUSEN!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Bayer Leverkusen
Wednesday April 4, 2007 7:30pm
Wilhelm-Dopatka-Halle Leverkusen, Germany
27 games into the 2006-2007 Bundesliga season, ratiopharm Ulm and Bayer Leverkusen are level with 14 wins. Wednesday night at Wilhelm-Dopatka-Halle in Leverkusen, ratiopharm Ulm visits traditional Bundesliga power Bayer Leverkusen in a pivotal matchup for both teams. With seven games remaining in the seasons stretch run, both teams have their eyes on a strong finish. Locked in the log-jam in the middle of the standings, both Ulm and Leverkusen have won consecutive Bundesliga games and enter Wednesday nights contest on hot streaks. While both teams enter the game level, the key to success will mean taking it to another level in Leverkusen.
Ulm PG Austen Rowland drives past Leverkusen big men Derrick Allen (right) and Nate Fox (left). Rowland was outstanding in Ulm's two wins last week!
When one thinks about Bayer Leverkusen basketball, the history and tradition of the team are immediately clear. 14 Bundesliga Championships fill the Leverkusen trophy case. A dominant team back in the 80's, Leverkusen has long been one of the most respected teams in Germany. Certainly the history and tradition on the court at Wilhem-Dopatka-Halle is something special. And this seasons Leverkusen team has shown signs of something special. After an inconsistent start to the season and key injuries to top players, Leverkusen has worked their way back to top form. In fact, since December 22nd, Leverkusen has gone 10-3 including winning 6 of their last 7 games. Without question the return of point guard and floor general John Goldsberry, who missed a significant part of the early season due to injury, has had a major part of Leverkusen's strong play. Most recently, Leverkusen blew out Deutsche Bank Skyliners 91-61 at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt last Sunday in what might have been the teams most impressive performance of the year. The huge win came on the heels of Leverkusen's exciting 124-111 triple overtime victory over TBB Trier in Leverkusen's last home game. At this point of the season, Bayer Leverkusen has found their rhythm and are playing outstanding basketball. With their recent exciting play and excellent wins, the team is poised for a strong finish and playoff push.
 |
|
|
Ulm C Bryan Lucas works inside against Leverkusen C Eric Taylor. The two were teammates in the NBDL and now meet on the block in Leverkusen Wednesday!
Leverkusen's starting five commands respect as the team features some of the Bundesliga's top talent. All Star power forward Derrick Allen has been a fantastic big man in the league for several seasons and has emerged as a go-to-guy for his new team in Leverkusen. Allen has averaged 16.4ppg with 7.5reb including 2.5 offensive boards per game. Most important, Allen brings tremendous energy to his team making him an effective player on both ends and in transition. Along with the inside presence of Allen, sweet shooting Brandon Woudstra has established himself as a premiere perimeter player in the Bundesliga. Currently averaging 13.3ppg with 3.5reb and 2.7ast, Brandon is shooting 38% from three point range and 87% from the foul line. Another active cutter and intelligent player, Woudstra complements the inside game of Allen extremely well. Along with Woudstra in the Leverkusen backcourt, floor general John Goldsberry has set a terrific unselfish tone for his team. A rookie from UNC-Wilmington, Goldsberry has scored 7.8ppg while dishing out 4.2ast and shooting 38% from three. While his offense has been strong, Goldsberry's defense has been outstanding as he currently leads the league in steals at 2.8stlpg. Complementing the backcourt with athleticism, small forward Jared Newson adds a highlight film finisher to the floor for Leverkusen. A ridiculous slam dunker, Newson also demonstrates his skills to produce 13.3ppg with 4.8reb. In the paint, working with Allen, powerful big man Eric Taylor has emerged as a quality post player and contributes 10.6ppg with 5.5reb. A physical lefthander, Taylor is also athletic and runs the floor well. Adding more to the mix, veteran center Nate Fox brings a terrific three point shooting dimension to the Leverkusen team. Fox scored 9.5ppg with 6.6reb while shooting 35% from three in his Bill Laimbeer roll for Leverkusen. From the bench, German PG Gordon Geib loves to push the tempo and shoot the three. Geib plays well off ballscreens and has scored 6.2ppg shile hitting 39% from the arc. Forwards Beckham Wyrick (3.8ppg 2.2reb 23% from three) and Brant Bailey (5.3ppg 2.2reb 33% from three) provide depth and versatility for the team. Head Coach Achim Kuczmann has brought the team together well and now Leverkusen is clicking at the right time.
 |
|
|
Ulm C Maksym Shtein goes hard to the basket against Leverkusen C Nate Fox.
For ratiopharm Ulm Wednesdays road trip to Leverkusen comes in the midst of an exciting three week six game stretch in which every game is extremely important. The "Aufsteiger" has won three consecutive Bundesliga games heading into Wednesday night and have made excellent progress in their rookie season. Tipping off their intense three week tour, Ulm edged NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 85-74 in overtime at Volkswagonhalle in Braunschweig last Wednesday. Returning home last weekend, Ulm upset Telekom Bonn 80-68 and moved above .500 for the first time in the Bundesliga at 14-13. The Ulm team has demonstrated excellent attention to detail in their recent wins and several players have stepped up and raised their level when it has mattered most. Certainly, Ulm's main two weapons of Power Forward Jeff Gibbs and shooting guard Jonathan Levy have been leaders on the floor. But other teammates have emerged with outstanding performances to spark Ulm's success. Point guard Austen Rowland enjoyed an outstanding week in Ulm's two wins over Braunschweig and Bonn. In the two games, Rowland scored 23 points with 19 assists including his 12 dime game in Braunschweig which currently sets the standard as best in the Bundesliga this season. Along with Rowland, 6th man Konrad Wysocki has energized his team. Wysocki's versatility and energy level have been key for Ulm this year. C Bryan Lucas has been strong in the lane and post subs Maksym Shtein and Florian Mobius remain key to Ulm's depth. Captain Emeka Erege has been outstanding on the defensive end in recent games and continues to provide the team with top-quality leadership on and off the floor. On the perimeter, new combo guard EJ Gallup has picked up the systems quickly and been sharp in practices as he continues his integration into his new team. Subs Jan Sprunken, Christian Grosse and Ian Young all remain ready when called upon.
Part of the excitement surrounding Wednesday's game centers around the teams meeting head to head, but an equally interesting aspect focuses on the individual matchups. For instance, at the power forward spot, two of the best in the Bundesliga will battle head to head when Ulm's Jeff Gibbs meets Leverkusen's Derrick Allen. At the point, two rookie floor generals lock horns as Ulm's Austen Rowland and Leverkusen's John Goldsberry compete for the first time. Two talented shooting guards will go at each other as Ulm's Jonathan Levy faces Brandon Woudstra. At the small forward spot, Ulm captain Emeka Erege challenges Leverkusen's Jared Newson. And finally, on the block Ulm C Bryan Lucas goes head to head against former NBDL teammate Eric Taylor. These duels within the game will provide fantastic entertainment for basketball fans in Leverkusen Wednesday night.
ratiopharm Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor and Financial Manager Andreas Oettel enjoy Saturday's victory over Bonn!
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm edged Bayer Leverkusen 95-92 in an exciting game Saturday night November 25th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Despite trailing the majority of the game, Ulm's Jonathan Levy drilled a right wing corner three with 8 seconds to play giving his team the lead and the win. Wednesday night's game at Wilhelm-Dopatka-Halle in Leverkusen has everything needed to add to the outstanding tradition in that arena --- two level teams looking to take it to another level!
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
KING OF THE BOARDS!
When ratiopharm Ulm faces Bayer Leverkusen, two of the Bundesliga's best rebounders will go head to head. Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Leverkusen's Derrick Allen will provide an exciting matchup for basketball fans when the two battle on the block and on the backboard!
FORMER TEAMMATES!
ratiopharm Ulm C Bryan Lucas and Leverkusen C Eric Taylor know each other well. Both spent time playing together in the NBDL with the Fayetteville Patriots three seasons ago. Lucas finished his tenure in the NBDL with the league record for most double-doubles at 52.
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: excellent matchup on the wing v Leverkusen
Jonathan Levy: all-around game on both ends in top form
Jeff Gibbs: 19pt 13reb v Bonn Saturday/GREAT matchup with Allen!
Austen Rowland: fantastic week last week helped Ulm to two wins!
Bryan Lucas: strong and steady for Ulm on block/ big matchup wed.
Konrad Wysocki: energy for Ulm off the bench/key for Ulm team
EJ Gallup: steady progress with new team!
Maksym Shtein: focused to strengthen the middle on both ends
Christian Grosse: could be key v Leverkusen zones
Florian Mobius: steady and reliable post sub/
Ian Young: remains ready to help team when number called.
Jan Sprunken: good minutes to help team in 1st half v Bonn
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Leverkusen, Germany
Main Sponsor: Bayer
Home Court: Wilhelm-Dopatka-Halle
website: www.bayer-giants-leverkusen.de
2005-2006: 13-17 10th place Bundesliga
Offense: One of the most anticipated teams from the preseason, Leverkusen has recruited well keeping several key parts while adding quality over the offseason. Softshooting G Brandon Woudstra returns after a fantastic first year in the Bundesliga. Woudstra teams extremly well with playmaking PG Gordon Geib who penetrates and pitches to the hot-shooters on the perimeter. Like Gieb and Woudstra click, Leverkusen looks to balance their frontcourt combining physical and strong Nate Fox with active and athletic Derrick Allen. Powerful and talented Eric Taylor adds depth and skill to the new Leverkusen team. Perimeter players John Goldsberry (UNC Wilmington) and Gabe Martin look to add to their new team as will Jared Newson and Brandon Jennings. The question for Leverkusen revolves around teamwork and chemistry. When they solve these challenges, Leverkusen could skyrocket to the top of the Bundesliga.
Defense: Head coach Armin Kuczmann, the German National team Assistant Coach, looks to mold his talented team into playoff qualifier and bring back the fantastic winning tradition to Leverkusen --- the most successful team in Bundesliga history. On paper the team reads like a title contender with balance, experience, athleticism and versatility. Look for Leverkusen to challenge the top three teams (Koln, ALBA, Bamberg) as the season develops.
GM: Otto Reintjes
Head Coach: Armin Kuczmann
Players:
Gordon Geib: hardnosed PG/can score/playmaker
Brandon Woudstra: one of best shooters in the league
Nate Fox: vet big man/ physical and skilled
John Goldsberry: rookie G from UNC Wilmington
Derrick Allen: active rebounder/athlete/played in Karlsruhe
Jared Newson: athlete new to Leverkusen
Eric Taylor: powerful post/experienced big man/solid 5-4
Brant Bailey: scorer throughout his career/solid wing sub
Beckham Wyrick: team guy/perimeter sub
