TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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LAST 'RUNDE' FOR RIVALRY!
RATIOPHARM ULM VISITS LUDWIGSBURG SUNDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm @ EnBW Ludwigsburg
Sunday December 14th, 2008 5pm
Rundesporthalle Ludwigsburg, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm travels to nearby Ludwigsburg for their next exciting Baden-Wurtemburg Derby against rival EnBW Ludwigsburg Sunday evening at Rundesporthalle. Riding momentum from their 4 game winning streak, ratiopharm Ulm is focused for the challenge at hand --- host Ludwigsburg is one of two Bundesliga teams who enter the weekend unbeaten at home. Sunday evening, both ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg re-charge their rivalry in what will be the final meeting between the two teams at Rundesporthalle before Ludwigsburg moves into their new Arena next season. Televised live on BBL.TV, fans all over the world can watch the 'Baden-Wurtemburg Derby' game online using www.sportdigital.tv
#1 in the Bundesliga!
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs received the most All Star votes from fans among all Bundesliga players.
While ratiopharm Ulm has reeled off four straight wins for the second time this season, the last two victories of their most recent streak have been sweet. Ulm topped rival Walter Tigers Tubingen two weeks ago at Tubingen Arena in a 'Baden-Wurtemburg Derby' victory celebrated by everyone ratiopharm Ulm. Last weekend, Ulm edged a hot BG74 Gottingen team at home in Sportszetrum Kuhberg in Ulm spoiling the return of former Ulm guard Kyle Bailey. Following perfectly in line, ratiopharm Ulm's Sunday road game in Ludwigsburg is the next intense 'Baden-Wurtemburg Derby' game filling a fantastic 'rivalry month' of December. Along with the long history of competition between Ulm and Ludwigsburg, close proximity of the two South German cities makes game a natural rivalry. Ludwigsburg is located approximately 125 kilometers west-northwest of Ulm, just north of Stuttgart. The traditional rivalry games between ratiopharm Ulm, Walter Tigers Tubingen and EnBW Ludwigsburg comprise the 'Baden-Wurtemburg Derby' games which are always extra special for fans. Sunday night, Rundesporthalle in Ludwigsburg will host its final regular season Bundesliga game between ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg. For fans from both sides, Sunday nights game will certainly be special.
Ulm captain Emeka Erege knows the Baden-Wurtemburg Derby's well!
Ulm and Ludwigsburg have enjoyed strong starts to the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season. While Ulm's 9-4 record has been an outstanding first half of the year, Ludwigsburg has enjoyed a 4 game win streak and unbeaten mark at home highlighted by their win over ALBA Berlin. While ratiopharm Ulm management works dilligently for their new Arena in Neu Ulm, rival Ludwigsburg is a few steps ahead of Ulm in the process. With a new Arena set to open next season, EnBW Ludwigsburg aims to continue their winning tradition as they take the next steps as an organization.
ratiopharm Ulm's Keith Triplett made his first start for Ulm last weekend and sparked the team with his play!
Last year, Ulm and Ludwigsburg split two intense games as each team protected their home court with wins. Early in the season, ratiopharm Ulm upset EnBW Ludwigsburg 89-88 in overtime at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Later last year, Ulm and Ludwigsburg met at beautiful Porsche Arena in Stuttgart where Ludwigsburg beat Ulm 95-84. Both games added to the terrific tradition of great games between the two teams.
In an instant classic game that scripted the next chapter of the traditional regional rivalry with an exclamaition point, ratiopharm Ulm upset Baden Wurttenburg neighbor EnBW Ludwigsburg 89-88 in an exciting back and forth overtime game that was up in the air until the final buzzer Friday October 12th, 2007. Trailing by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, Ulm stormed back before Kyle Bailey's clutch shot with 4.5 seconds left tied the game at 79 sending action to overtime. In the extra session, Bryan Lucas started scoring with a money three pointer before finishing the game with a wheeling left hand post move in the paint with less than ten seconds to play.
Click here for Ulm v Ludwigsburg October 2007 Game Summary
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce is an outstanding leader!
Later in the season, Sunday Febuary 10th, 2008 ratiopharm Ulm's cruise-control first quarter proved to be the difference in Sunday's race, the Baden-Wurtemberg Derby against rival EnBW Ludwigsburg. Jeff Gibbs' relentless 20 point 16 rebound effort and 19 points from Konrad Wysocki powered the Ulm attack, but racing from behind, Ulm's efforts ran out of gas. Overcoming the deficit to battle back into the game, Ulm shifted gears to trim an 18 point second half deficit to 7 in the mid-fourth quarter, but Brandon Woudstra's back to back clutch threes sealed the hardfought 95-84 win for Ludwigsburg helping them take the checkered flag. Sunday, it was a speedy victory for Ludwigsburg at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart.
Click for Ulm @ Ludwigsburg Feb 10, 2008 Game Summary!
In 2006-2007, Ludwigsburg topped Ulm early in the year at Rundsporthalle in Ludwigsburg. Later in the year, Ulm and Ludwigsburg split a pair of games with Ulm winning at home (Click here for Game Summary) before Ludwigsburg took revenge knocking Ulm out of the Cup in a German Cup semi-final game at Rundsporthalle in Ludwigsburg. A competitive respect is held between the two teams and last seasons rivalry games provided basketball fans with tremendous highlights from the 2006-2007 year. Sunday's meeting at Porsche Arena holds the potential to be the next exciting action.
Wednesday March 21st, 2007 ratiopharm Ulm saw their dreams of a trip to Hamburg's Colorline Arena and a German Cup Top Four appearance end with a 101-75 loss in Ludwigsburg at Rundesporthalle.
click for March 21, 2007 Ulm @ Ludwigsburg German Cup Game Summary!
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs finishes this acrobatic under-the-rim-lay-in. Gibbs was excellent for Ulm scoring a team best 24 points with 7 boards in a March 21st, 2007 German Cup Elite Eight loss in Ludwigsburg, the teams last trip to Rundesporthalle.
March 17th, 2007 ratiopharm Ulm upset regional rival EnBW Ludwigsburg 92-81 in the "Baden-Wurrtemburg Derby" Saturday night before a standing room only sellout crowd at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Jeff Gibbs was outstanding with a 22 point 13 rebound double double in the win.
click for Ulm v Ludwigsburg March 17, 2007 Game Summary!
Saturday night November 4th 2006, ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg rekindled their traditional regional rivalry with pride and passion at Rundsporthalle in an exciting game that saw big shots from veteran guards Jerry Green and Gordon Scott boost Ludwigsburg to a hardfought 85-78 win. ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs starred with a tremendous 18 point 16 rebound performance!
Click for Ulm @ Ludwigsburg November 4, 2006 Game Summary!
But games of the recent past are not the only head to head meetings between the teams. ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg met earlier this preseason Wednesday night September 10th at Ulm University Gym North with the expected usual result --- a hardfought rivalry game. Playing in Ulm for the first time in the preseason, ratiopharm Ulm still was unable to play a home game due to renovations and construction to Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Ulm's Romeo Travis converted several clutch baskets down the stretch in the fourth quarter and Jeff Gibbs swatted a Ludwigsburg shot from the left corner out of bounds as a highlight of Ulm's win. Romeo Travis led Ulm's offensive production with 18 points in the win while Jeff Gibbs added 13 points 9 rebounds and Dan Fitzgerald added 10 points 5 boards. Michael Schroeder chipped in 8 points 4 rebounds along with physical defensive effort. Brandon Woudstra and Domonic Jones shared topscoring honors for Ludwigsburg with 17 points apiece while Dane Watts added 10 points 7 boards. Both teams played without starting point guards as Ulm's Dru Joyce sat out to rest a minor foot injury after 8 minutes of action and Ludwigsburg's Brian Jones also missed the game resting a minor injury. For Ulm, rookie point guard Per Gunther was impressive as he gained valuable experience playing key minutes as Ulm's primary point guard.
click here for Regio-TV report from Ulm v Ludwigsburg
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald, drilling a top of the key three against Gottingen, is no stranger to high-pressure basketball and big games!
Ludwigsburg enters Sunday nights Baden-Wurtemburg Derby game with a 7-5 record. With rookie head coach Rick Stafford, Ludwigsburg has established their solid, defense-first style of play effectively in the early season. After a season opening 75-56 loss in Nordlingen September 20th, Ludwigsburg won four straight games in a strong start. Ludwigsburg beat Trier 88-83 September 27th in their home opener, won 69-61 on the road at JAKO Arena in Bamberg October 6th, beat NewYorker Phantoms Braunshcwieg 62-61 October 12th at Rundesporthalle and topped ALBA Berlin 65-58 October 15th at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. After the four game win streak and 4-1 start, Ludwigsburg lost three straight falling 85-82 in Dusseldorf October 18th before losing 75-65 in Oldenburg October 26th and 81-54 in Artland November 8th. The next week November 15th, LTi Giessen 46ers got stuck in traffic and were a no-show at the game giving Ludwigsburg a win by forfiet. Back to action in Bonn November 22nd, Ludwigsburg lost 76-67 at Telekom Dome. Recently, Ludwigsburg started a new win streak with back to back victories. In their last home game November 29th at Rundesporthalle, Ludwigsburg beat Koln 86-64 to remain perfect and unbeaten at home. Last weekend December 6th, Ludwigsburg earned a hardfought 62-56 comeback win in Bremerhaven to set their record to 7-5.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey has been at his best on the games biggest stages!
With new head coach Rick Stafford, an excellent player with Giessen and Bamberg before developing as Dirk Bauermann's assistant in Bamberg the last few seasons, Ludwigsburg plays a hardnosed defensive style featuring a fundamentally sound offensive attack. Working with a three guard alignment, Ludwigsburg starts Bundesliga veterans Brian Jones (8.7ppg 4.7reb 3.3ast), Domonic Jones (10.5ppg 1.6reb 1.3ast 36%threes) and Brandon Woudstra (12.7ppg 2.8reb 2.3ast 46%threes) on the perimeter. All three have earned Bundesliga All Star status in their careers and they are featured as the keys to the Ludwigsburg offensive attack. Brian Jones is a physical point guard with ability to defend, drive, post up and rebound which has helped him be an impact player in Tubingen and an All Star in Bremerhaven before moving onto Spain last year. Domonic Jones is a slashing athletic perimeter player who has starred for Karlsruhe and Braunschweig before returning South to Ludwigsburg this year. Brandon Woudstra is a terrific perimeter shooter who plays with an active tempo and intelligence about his game. The three combine to form a formidable backcourt and have experience to help their team win. In the post, Bundesliga newcomers Kelvin Gibbs (8.6ppg 5.4reb) and Tomas Nagys (10.2ppg 6.5reb) are key players. Gibbs (no relation to Ulm's Jeff Gibbs), is a physical post man with inside-out skills and a nice left handed shooting touch. Nagys brings a mobile, physical big man who also can score consistently. Filling out the frontcourt, athletic Marco Sanders (5.9ppg 2.9reb) and perimeter shooting Dane Watts (9.6ppg 2.2reb) provide versatility to the team. Sanders' attacking athletic style of play is more important now as starting three man DeAngelo Alexander (7.4ppg 3reb) is sidelined with an injury. Earlier this week, Ludwigsburg signed forward Christopher Schlatter who played for head coach Rick Stafford at Pro A Breitengussbach in 2006-2007. Talented young German point guard David McCray (2.7ppg 30%three) continues to make progress as a young player and hardworking Stefan Fahrad remains an excellent team player. Talented young forward Phillipp Heyden also gains experience with the Ludwigsburg team after returning to his hometown after a stint in the ALBA Berlin youth programs. Overall, Ludwigsburg is a blue-collar, hardworking team that does not beat themselves as demonstrated by their 5-0 home record this season.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis loves the intensity of big games!
Excited about the challenges in every Baden-Wurtemburg Derby game, ratiopharm Ulm prepares for Sundays road game at Rundesporthalle with energy and enthusiasm. Ulm players thrived in the rivalry atmosphere winning in Tubingen two weeks ago. Unfortunately, starting center Sean Finn continues to recover from an ankle injury suffered in the Tubingen win and remains a game-time decision. Once again, Ulm's bench will play a key role in Sundays game as forward Dan Fitzgerald, center Michael Schroeder and point guard Per Gunther assume important minutes against Ludwigsburg. Recently, Ulm players have been in top form as point guard Dru Joyce, power forward Jeff Gibbs, small forward Romeo Travis and shooting guard Lee Humphrey have hit peaks in production. In particular, Ulm forward Jeff Gibbs has a long history of good games against Ludwigsburg including 4 double doubles in his 5 games over the last three seasons: 20 points 16 rebounds Febuary 10th 2008, 11 points 12 rebounds October 12th 2007, 24 points 7 rebounds March 21st 2007, 22 points 13 rebounds March 17th 2007, 18 points 16 rebounds November 4 2006.
Sunday evening's Baden-Wurtemburg Derby between ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg has everything needed to add to the rich history between the two teams. The rivalries last regular season game at Rundesporthalle, Sunday's action will really be the last 'Runde'! Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
final Bundesliga All Star fan voting
ratiopharm Ulm players were well represented in Bundesliga All Star Fan voting which concluded earlier this week. All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs earned his third straight trip to the Bundesliga All Star game by taking the most fan votes of any Bundesliga player beating out ALBA Berlin's Julius Jenkins for the top spot. While Jeff takes his place as a starter in the South lineup, Ulm was well represented at the other four positions as point guard Dru Joyce, shooting guard Lee Humphrey, small forward Romeo Travis and center Sean Finn all finished a popular third. Final fan voting below:
NORTH
Point Guard: 1. Jason Gardner (EWE Baskets Oldenburg, 26,54 %), 2. Steffen Hamann (ALBA Berlin, 19,43 %), 3. Kyle Bailey (BG 74 Göttingen, 9,90 %)
Shooting Guard: 1. Julius Jenkins (ALBA Berlin, 27,98 %), 2. Casey Jacobsen (ALBA Berlin, 9,59 %), 3. Immanuel McElroy (ALBA Berlin, 9,33 %)
Small Forward: 1. Rickey Paulding (EWE Baskets Oldenburg, 26,98 %), 2. Adam Hess (Artland Dragons, 21,41 %), 3. Steven Esterkamp (Paderborn Baskets, 12,22 %)
Power Forward: 1. Ansu Sesay (ALBA Berlin, 27,99 %), 2. Aleksandar Nadjfeji (ALBA Berlin, 13,34 %), 3. Chad Prewitt (Artland Dragons, 7,85 %)
Center: 1. Darius Hall (Artland Dragons, 16,10 %), 2. Darren Fenn (Artland Dragons, 14,92 %), 3. Adam Chubb (ALBA Berlin, 13,03 %)
SOUTH
Point Guard: 1. Pascal Roller (Deutsche Bank SKYLINERS, 17,79 %), 2. Heiko Schaffartzik (LTi Giessen 46ers, 11,31 %), 3. Dru Joyce (ratiopharm Ulm, 9,95 %)
Shooting Guard: 1. Brandon Woudstra (EnBW Ludwigsburg, 17,45%), 2. Demond Greene (Brose Baskets, 17,19 %), 3. Lee Humphrey (ratiopharm Ulm, 11,16 %)
Small Forward: 1. Konrad Wysocki (Deutsche Bank SKYLINERS, 21,43 %), 2. Winsome Frazier (Telekom Baskets Bonn, 14,97 %), 3. Romeo Travis (ratiopharm Ulm, 11,49 %)
Power Forward: 1. Jeff Gibbs (ratiopharm Ulm, 30,00 %), 2. Derrick Allen (Deutsche Bank SKYLINERS, 11,55 %), 3. Brandon Bowman (Telekom Baskets Bonn, 9,50 %)
Center: 1. Tim Ohlbrecht (Brose Baskets, 14,75 %), 2. Ken Johnson (Telekom Baskets Bonn, 13,31 %), 3. Sean Finn (ratiopharm Ulm, 12,78 %)
basketball fans all over the world can watch Sunday evening's Baden Wurtemburg Derby between ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg live online using www.sportdigital.tv Tipoff time is 5pm Central European Time which is 11am Eastern Time (6 hours ahead).
BACK HOME!
ratiopharm Ulm assistant coach Rainer Bauer and youth player Patrick Scherer return to their hometown Sunday as ratiopharm Ulm visits Ludwigsburg.
CONNECTIONS!
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz and center Michael Schroder know Ludwigsburg Head Coach Rick Stafford well. Both played with Bamberg/Breitengussbach while Stafford worked as an assistant with the organization and Betz eventually played under Stafford with Breitengussbach in 2006-2007. Interestingly, new Ludwigsburg signing Christopher Schlatter played 10 games with that team.
NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE BADEN-WURTEMBURG DERBY
ratiopharm Ulm fans remember well the classic 2.Bundesliga South games from 2003-2004 when Ulm and Tubingen battled through 3 overtimes in two games to decide the league championship. A central figure on those Tubingen teams was point guard Brian Jones. After establishing himself with the Tigers, Jones went on to success with Bremerhaven before playing last season in Spain. Now, Brian leads the Ludwigsburg attack and will compete in the rivalry games from a new perspective.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain boosted team with solid minutes last week!
Romeo Travis: has been in top form last month for Ulm!
Jeff Gibbs: 4 double doubles in last 5 games v Ludwigsburg
Keith Triplett : sparked team as starter last game
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter has hit 16 of last 29 threes over 4 games!
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general outstanding over last three weeks!
Per Gunther: rookie star establishing himself in Bundesliga!
Dan Fitzgerald: enjoying tremendous rookie season with Ulm!
Sean Finn: injured ankle sidelines Ulm's starting C
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing gives Ulm excellent depth
Michael Schroeder: big man ready for challenge in Ludwigsburg
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Ludwigsburg, Germany
Main Sponsor: EnBW
Home Court: Rundsporthalle
website: www.enbw-ludwigsburg.de
2007-2008: 15-19 12th place
Playoffs: none
Offense: Ludwigsburg has established their new offensive attack with a fundamental approach and a three guard look. Veteran perimeter players Brian Jones, Domonic Jones and Brandon Woudstra give the team a terrific combination of experience and talent. Brian Jones is a physical point who can post and rebound, Domonic Jones an excellent slashing driver and Brandon Woudstra ranks among the Bundesliga's best shooters. Establishing the post, newcomers Kelvin Gibbs and Tomas Nagys give the team good options inside. Versatile athletes DeAngelo Alexander and Marco Sanders fill out the front line and three point shooter Dane Watts gives the front court another dimension. Young PG David McCray and hardworking Stefan Fahrad provide depth and energy from the bench.
Defense: Ludwigsburg is a defensively focused team which plays fundamentally sound, physical man to man. The athletic and physical perimeter players give Ludwigsburg ability to pressure the basketball and the physical post players defend position hard. The defensive-minded approach and tempo control on offense has helped Ludwigsburg to success this season.
Head Coach: Rick Stafford
Players:
Brandon Woudstra: one of best shooters in the league / All Star starter!
Brian Jones: physical PG/veteran former All Star/ Ulm fans know him well
Domonic Jones athletic veteran G/former All Star/ excellent wing
Kelvin Gibbs: talented lefty post man/inside presence/impact newcomer
Tomas Nagys: hardworking/skilled post man/physical and tough
Dane Watts: 3pt shooting post/rookie from Creighton
Marco Sanders: athletic and versatile forward/
DeAngelo Alexander: talented F/scoring 3man/currently injured
David McCray: talented young PG/steady improvement over last years
Philipp Heyden: homegrown talented F back in Ludwigsburg from Berlin
Stephan Fahrad: hardworking team player
Christopher Schlatter: signed Wed./played for Stafford in Breitengussbach
