TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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RHEINLAND ROAD TRIP!
ratiopharm Ulm visits Bayer Leverkusen Sunday!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Bayer Leverkusen
Sunday November 11, 2007 4pm
Wilhelm Dopatka Halle Leverkusen, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm heads northwest this weekend along the beautiful Rhein River to the industrial German city of Leverkusen for a 4pm Sunday afternoon tip off against the traditional Bundesliga power and 14 time league champion Bayer Leverkusen.
Ulm point guard Kyle Bailey has added offensive scoring punch to the Ulm attack.
As Game Day 8 unfolds in the German Bundesliga, ratiopharm Ulm finds themselves at an even 3-3 while Bayer Leverkusen sits just above at 4-3. Both teams can be pleased with their opening month of the season. While Ulm has been strong at home going unbeaten in three games at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, the young team continues to make steps forward on the road. Despite their 0-3 mark, Ulm has had chances to win in Braunschweig (currently ranked 4th in the standings and winners last week against front runner brose baskets Bamberg) and in Koln (last seasons German Cup winner) last week. The other Ulm road loss was in Artland where the Dragons are off to a terrific start and currently are tied atop the league with Bamberg. On paper Ulm reads 0-3, but the team continues to grow and develop and improve and are very close to their first road win. After the teams strong week of practice, they hope their road trip to Leverkusen will bring their first away winning result. But the challenge to win in Leverkusen in the shadow of 14 Bundesliga championship banners and in the face of their three point threats remains a difficult a task.
Ulm forward Konrad Wysocki is an emerging Bundesliga star.
Last 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. But last years Leverkusen team featured several key faces who no longer wear the Bayer logo and team colors. Significant losses from last season include athletic wing and Bundesliga Slam dunk king Jared Newson, 3pt sharpshooter Brandon Woudstra who moved onto EnBW Ludwigsburg, All star power forward Derrick Allen who now produces double double for Frankfurt and crafty point guard John Goldsberry who runs the show for the Artland Dragons. Despite these losses, Bayer Leverkusen still features a talented offensive team with strong Bundesliga experience.
Ulm's Bryan Lucas will battle Leverkusen's Eric Taylor in a terrific matchup of contrasting styles.
Newcomers to Leverkusen have immediately made their presence felt. The excellent perimeter shooting team is explosive offensively and can light it up from beyond the arc from all five positions. Most notably, rookie wing Brendan Winters has filled the Leverkusen rifleman role to perfection. Averaging 13.4ppg 4.3reb and shooting 45% from three, Winters is the son of former NBA player and Head coach Brian Winters. He also hails from the same school as Ulm captain Emeka Erege, Davidson College where both honed their skills under the watchful eye of excellent head coach Bob McKillop. Winters has been a terrific addition for Leverkusen and has been a big part of the teams strong start. Along with the rookie Winters, veteran Tyron McCoy (10.3ppg 2.7reb 48% three point shooting) was added to the team late in the preseason and has brought a double-barrell approach to the teams attack. Both Winters and McCoy spread the floor with their shooting range and force teams to defend well in transition. Any easy looks end up with three points on the board for Leverkusen. McCoy has lengthy Bundesliga experience after successful stints with the Frankfurt Skyliners and Ewe Baskets Oldenburg. Certainly McCoy and Winters in combination is an explosive perimeter tandem. Along with the experience of McCoy, Leverkusen post players Nate Fox and Eric Taylor return to strengthen the paint. Fox has produced 12.3ppg 6.6reb and shot 39% from three and ranks among the best perimeter shooting big men in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, the lefthanded power player Taylor has given Leverkusen 12ppg 5.6reb and even contributed 31% from three. Fox and Taylor compliment one another well and know each other after playing together last season. Spreading the floor with such firepower, Leverkusen's point guard play is the one-two punch of rookie Zack Whiting and experienced young talent Gordon Geib. Whiting (6.1ppg 2.4reb 4ast) is a feisty competitive playmaker who pushes the tempo and is a creative passer in transition. In much the same playing style, Geib is an strong playmaker with scorers mentality and continues to develop well with Leverkusen. Geib played this summer on the German A2 national team with Ulm win Sebastian Betz and has averaged 6.9ppg 1.7reb 1.7ast on the young season. Finally, much underrated Leverkusen players provide quality depth on the teams bench. Aggressive scoring combo forward Brant Bailey topscored last week in the Bonn loss with 19 points and brings energy and versatilty to the teams frontcourt. Bailey has produced 8.4ppg 2.7reb as a nice compliment to Fox and Taylor. Athletic big man Rans Brempong signed with Leverkusen this offseason after a successful year in Holland and has averaged 3.7ppg 2.7reb while patroling the Leverkusen paint as a shot blocking menace. Along with Bailey and Brempong, hardworking forward Beckham Wyrick brings the intangibles to the team while producing 4.6ppg and 2.9reb. Wyrick enjoyed an outstanding game in the teams upset win over ALBA Berlin and simply works hard and gets it done. Together, the 2007-2008 Leverkusen team is a super perimeter shooting squad with strong teamwork and good experience. All of these traits were on display in their recent three game winning streak and will provide a challenging matchup for ratiopharm Ulm this Sunday.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs meets Leverkusen's Nate Fox on the block this Sunday.
This season has started off extremely well for Bayer Leverkusen. Despite the notice main sponsor Bayer will step back their basketball sponsorship and completely focus on Leverkusen's Bundesliga Soccer team, Head Coach Achim Kuczmann and his men have made an instant impact in the 2007-2008 Bundesliga season. Starting off with a hardfought 74-72 win over Paderborn October 6th, Leverkusen slipped against Aufsteiger BG 74 Gottingen October 9th and lost their second straight against reigning Bundesliga champions brose Baskets Bamberg 83-59 October 14th at JAKO Arena in Bamberg. But since the loss to Bamberg, Leverkusen learned their lesson and reeled off three straight victories upsetting ALBA Berlin at home 83-67 Friday October 19th, topping Deutsche Bank Skyliners 91-73 Sunday October 21st in Frankfurt and besting the Koln 99ers 86-79 October 28th in Leverkusen. Last weekend live on BBL.TV, Telekom Bonn used a second quarter three point shooting barrage to claim the Rhein-River Shootout 81-68 over Leverkusen. At 4-3, Bayer Leverkusen has positioned themselves well in the early season action.
Ulm's EJ Gallup is aiming for another excellent game especially facing the outstanding three point shooters from Leverkusen.
ratiopharm Ulm enters the weekend road trip still missing the services of team captain Emeka Erege who has committedly worked to rehabilitate his leg muscle injury. Although closer to a return, Erege will miss the weekend game in Leverkusen. Also hobbled for Ulm are shooting guard EJ Gallup and Sebastian Betz who missed a day of practice each during the week due to minor injuries. Both will play. Aside from the minor bumps and bruises, ratiopharm Ulm aims to continue their progress with a strong road performance as the team continues to work toward their first road win of the season.
ratiopharm Ulm helped Jan Sprunken celebrate his birthday Monday night November 5th with a funny surprise --- PIES IN THE FACE!
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
A2 TEAMMATES!
Ulm wing Sebastian Betz and Leverkusen point guard Gordon Geib will be opponents Sunday, but this summer the two were teammates playing for their country with the German Junior National team at the World Championships in the Phillipines.
WILDCAT ALUMNI!
Ulm's Captain Emeka Erege takes pride in his Davidson College career. Sudnay, he can speak with another Davidson Alumnus in Leverkusen shooting guard Brendan Winters. Although the two never played together for the outstanding Head Coach Bob McKillop, both have been a big part of the programs success. Unfortunately, Erege will not play as he recovers from his muscle strain.
ROAD TRIP!
Ulm travel plans include a Saturday departure by team bus and travel day topped with an evening practice in Leverkusen. Sundays tipoff is set for 4pm Central European Time.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain remains on IR with slight muscle pull
Kyle Bailey: talented guard has added scoring punch to PG spot
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star faces tough Leverkusen frontcourt
Bryan Lucas: hardworking big man meets Eric Taylor Sunday
Konrad Wysocki: playing as well as any German in the Bundesliga!
Dru Joyce: rookie PG impressing during first season overseas
Florian Mobius: reliable team player adds depth in frontcourt
EJ Gallup: sharpshooter ready for shootout in Leverkusen
Sean Finn: big man enjoyed strong practice week!
Sebastian Betz: minor back problems during week but will play!
Jan Sprunken: celebrated birthday with shaving cream pie in the face!
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
2006-2007: 19-15 7th place
Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Ludwigsburg 3-1
Offense: Overcoming a slow start, last seasons Ludwigsburg team put together an impressive second half of the season as they charged into the playoffs as a 7 seed. Unfortunately for German basketball, the Bayer company, long time sponsor of Leverkusen through a record 14 German titles, has announced this season will be their last. With reduced budget, Leverkusen has maximized their money and put together an experienced team which emphasizes excellent perimeter shooting. Veterans Nate Fox and Eric Taylor man the middle and athletic Rans Brempong is a terrific new addition inside. On the perimeter PG Gordon Geib returns to lead the team and will be joined by sharpshooter Brendan Winters, combo guard Zack Whiting and hardworking Brant Bailey and Beckham Wyrick who both contrinuted alot to last seasons squad. One can never underestimate the Leverkusen experience and shooting ability. When all goes well for the Giants, a playoff position can be achieved.
Defense: The impressive aspect of the Leverkusen team is their competitive attitude. Experienced big men never take a play off and their teams ability to shoot always keeps them in a game. Brempong's shot blocking ability is an excellent pick up and the gritty forwards Bailey and Wyrick add toughness on the defensive end. With such a strong tradition and quality experienced players, Leverkusen fans can expect another enjoyable season in their final year with Bayer as a sponsor.
GM: Otto Reintjes
Head Coach: Armin Kuczmann
Players:
Gordon Geib: hardnosed PG/can score/playmaker
Zack Whiting: hardworking combo G new to team
Brendan Winters: sweet shooting wing/ Davidson College
Beckham Wyrick: hardworking F returns to Leverkusen
Tyron McCoy: BBL veteran adds offensive power to team
Rans Brempong: athletic post rebounds and blocks shots
Nate Fox: vet big man/ physical and skilled
Eric Taylor: powerful post/experienced big man/solid 5-4 Brant Bailey: versatile F returns to Leverkusen
Lukas Welling: young prospect
Tom Spoeler: young prospect
Ben Spoeler: young prospect
