TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm Travels to Paderborn Friday!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Digibu Baskets Paderborn
Friday April 18, 2008 8pm
Sportszentrum Maspernplatz Paderborn, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm travels to Paderborn for an exciting Friday night matchup against Digibu Baskets Paderborn before returning home to Sportszentrum Kuhberg on Sunday when they host powerful brose Baskets Bamberg in a fantastic basketball weekend in Germany. Friday night pits both 2006 "Aufsteigers" in a brotherly derby and Sunday brings the lone Bundesliga opponent ratiopharm Ulm has yet to defeat to Sportszentrum Kuhberg. From front to back, ratiopharm Ulm's double-game day weekend will be double the fun.
Ulm All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs splits a double team in last Saturday's game against Oldenburg. This weekend Jeff and teammates will face a double-game day.
Both ratiopharm Ulm and Digibu Baskets Paderborn achieved the "Aufsteig" in 2005-2006 as Ulm won the 2.Bundesliga South Championship while Paderborn captured the 2.Bundesliga North title. Both teams have developed step by step in the Bundesliga. In their first season of 2006-2007, both Ulm and Paderborn finished with 16 wins and 18 losses over their initial Bundesliga campaign. Last season, Paderborn finished strong down the stretch winning their final three games and with a tie breaker landed in the 11th spot while Ulm finished 12th. This season Ulm and Paderborn have already met twice with both games taking place at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Ulm PG Dru Joyce splits a pair of Oldenbug defenders in Saturdays action. The rookie point guard from Akron is ready for both challenges this weekend in Paderborn and home against Bamberg.
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm and Paderborn split a pair of meetings with Paderborn winning at Sportszentrum Kuhberg December 16th and Ulm claiming a German Cup Sweet 16 victory in early Febuary.
Click here for Complete Ulm v Paderborn German Cup Sweet 16 Game Summary!
The matchup between Ulm and Paderborn has provided exciting basketball for Bundesliga fans. Before the German Cup Sweet 16 game, Paderborn clearly had the better of two meetings winning big at home last Febuary before winning convincingly at Sportszentrum Kuhberg earlier this year. Click the links below for recent game recaps of Ulm v Paderborn:
Sunday December 16, 2007 Game Summary
Febuary 25th Game Summary
October 20th Game Summary
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas, finishing a play against Oldenburg, will miss both games this weekend due to his leg injury!
Paderborn Head Coach Doug Spradley has a hardworking and talented team featuring skillful guards and sharpshooting wings. Leading the team is Bundesliga scoring leader Tim Black (21.3ppg 2.6reb 3.8ast 36% three). A tremendous one on one player with exceptional ability to create and score in transition, Black is the heart and soul of the Paderborn attack. Last week in Koln, Tim torched the 99er defense for a 33 point performance. Certainly, ratiopharm Ulm defenders will be focused on the Paderborn floor general. At the two, Malik Moore (9.9ppg 3.1reb 3.1ast 29% threes) will miss the remainder of the season with an injury. While Paderborn will miss his scoring ability, veteran wing John Bynum (6.3ppg 2.3reb 2.1ast) was added to the roster just before the deadline and brings terrific defensive presence along with versatile backcourt skills. Bynum enjoyed an outstanding 19 point performance against Ulm while playing with Bremerhaven late last season. At the three, Paderborn fixture Steve Esterkamp (11.4ppg 3.1reb 2.2ast 29% three) provides the team with a perimeter threat and brings the ability to score on the block or from active cutting. Esterkamp and Black have been the face of the Paderborn roster over the last several seasons and remain a huge factor for the teams success. Hardworking forward Marius Nolte (6.2ppg 4.1reb) adds intensity and a physical defensive presence to the lineup and plays an aggressive game on both ends of the floor. In the pivot, Greg Jenkins (10.7ppg 6.8reb) has overcome off court issues from the USA earlier in the season to play a strong season. From the Paderborn bench, athletic forward Nathan Peavy (9.3ppg 3.7reb 47% three) is an inside-out threat and starred in Paderborns December win in Ulm with a 25 point night. Shooting wing Jason Edwin (5.5ppg 2.3reb 27%threes) has made several big baskets for the team throughout the year and adds instant offense off the bench. Billy Ray McDaniel (4.2ppg 3.1reb 38% three) can play on the perimeter or in the paint and has been a solid versatile player for Paderborn this year. Backups Thomas Gajda is a talented forward for the future. This season, Paderborn has overcome injuries and a slow 1-6 start to earn a solid position in the Bundesliga without concern for relegation --- a key step for teams like Ulm and the Baskets. While Ulm enters Fridays game with a 14-16 record, the team has won 5 of their last 7 games to pull back into the playoff race. Although Ulm lost to Oldenburg last weekend, both Bremerhaven and Braunschweig dropped their games giving Ulm more opportunity. With 4 games remaining, ratiopharm Ulm must make their move with wins now. Paderborn enters Fridays game at 11-18. After winning four of five, including road games in Artland and Braunschweig, Paderborn has lost 3 straight close games. Most impressive, Paderborn, without star Tim Black, battled league leading ALBA Berlin to a tight 89-85 loss April 6th in Paderborn. No matter the results, the "Aufsteiger" rivalry always brings out the best in teams and Paderborn has their impressive 106-81 win December 16th in Ulm to draw from as well.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki is a game-time decision after a slight injury against Oldenburg!
This weekend ratiopharm Ulm enters the two games with a shorthanded roster and a strange week of practice. Already without Captain Emeka Erege, Ulm also lost hardworking post man Bryan Lucas to a leg injury suffered in last Saturdays Oldenburg game. Also banged up against Oldenburg, All Stars Jeff Gibbs and Konrad Wysocki missed practice time this week --- Gibbs returned to practice Tuesday night while Wysocki remains a game-time decision for Friday. One could say this week ratiopharm Ulm had an All-Star injured reserve list. Ulm worked most of the week with 8 players in practice as they prepared for the two games this weekend. On top of the limited roster, Ulm was forced to move practice site after a motor controlling one of the mid-court dividers broke leaving a huge tarp wall splitting Ulm's homecourt into two. After a halfcourt practice on Monday evening, Ulm moved their workouts to TSG Soflingen for the remainder of the week. Certainly, with limited numbers and facility obstacles, Ulm's work week was less than optimal.
Ulm's EJ Gallup hit two big threes helping his team top Paderborn in the German Cup back in Febuary!
Despite the challenges, Ulm looks to tip off the exciting two game weekend with a strong performance Friday night in Paderborn. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
VS 
ULM'S NEXT CHALLENGE!
ratiopharm Ulm vs brose Baskets Bamberg
Sunday April 20, 2008 4pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm has enjoyed two successful seasons in the Bundesliga. Working with a small budget and emphasizing teamwork, ratiopharm Ulm has established their team competitively and enjoyed many highlights over their last two campaigns. Last season, Ulm captured upset home wins over top teams. Rivalries have been re-established with WALTER Tigers Tubingen and EnBW Ludwigsburg. This year, Ulm beat ALBA Berlin twice among many exciting moments. However, one win has elluded Ulm. One team has been unbeatable. Reigning Bundesliga champion and Euroleague team, brose Baskets Bamberg remains the only team in the Bundesliga that ratiopharm Ulm has yet to beat. Sunday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, in the back end of their two game weekend, ratiopharm Ulm will have their next chance.
Ulm's Romeo Travis has been an excellent addition to the teams rotation.
For ratiopharm Ulm, games against brose Baskets Bamberg bring the past and present together. Rivals from the history of Bundesliga action during Ulm's first chapter from 1988 through 2001, Ulm and Bamberg matchups go back a long way. However, Bamberg's recent rise to the top of the Bundesliga under the direction of Head Coach Dirk Bauermann on court and GM Wolfgang Heyder off the floor has established brose Baskets as a premiere basketball organization in Germany and Europe. After winning the Bundesliga Championship last season, Bamberg competed in the Euroleague for the second time in three seasons. With a vast disparity in finances and resources, the gap between Bamberg at the top of the Bundesglia and ratiopharm Ulm is large. However, ratiopharm Ulm strives to get the most out of their team on and off the floor and relishes the challenge to compete against the Bundesliga's best like Bamberg. To this point, in three prior meetings, Ulm is winless against Bamberg. Sunday, the team aims for an upset over the only Bundesliga team they have not beat.
Ulm forward Florian Mobius will be part of the team effort to overcome injuries to Captain Emeka Erege and post man Bryan Lucas.
But knocking off Bamberg is easier said than done. ratiopharm Ulm went into JAKO Arena in early March riding an 8 game losing streak and while the powerful Bamberg team did add a 9th game to the Ulm slide, the game went a long way to helping Ulm snap the skid. Ulm's strong offensive performance resulted in 89 points scored in Bamberg and helped prepare the team for their road win over ALBA Berlin the following Saturday. Unfortunately, the Bamberg road loss was also the game Ulm lost captain Emeka Erege after suffering a knee injury on an end-of-first-half collision under the Bamberg bucket. Ulm tried to outscore the defensive-oriented Bamberg team and the reigning German champions showed their offensive talents by beating ratiopharm Ulm at their own game.
Click here for complete Ulm @ Bamberg Game Summary!
Last season Ulm battled in Bamberg but fell short to the eventual Bundesliga champions on March 10th. Bundesliga MVP Casey Jacobsen starred for Head Coach Dirk Bauermann's team in the win. Earlier in the year, Bamberg beat ratiopharm Ulm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Sunday October 29th. Both games demonstrated the reasons why Bamberg became champions. Despite gritty efforts, Ulm fell short to the first class Bamberg team.
Click here for March 10th, 2007 Ulm @ Bamberg Game Summary!
Click here for October 29th, 2006 Ulm v Bamberg Game Summary!
Head Coach Dirk Bauermann guided Bamberg to the Bundesliga title last season and has his team prepared for a run to a repeat. Bamberg's battle-tested team has championship experience in the Bundesliga and successful experience from competition in the high-level Euroleague. In the season, Bamberg added several key pieces as they reload for the stretch run. Big man Jared Reiner stabalized the paint for Bamberg and has averaged 11.5ppg 8.4reb since joining the team. NBDL All Star Dwayne Mitchell (10.9ppg 3.4reb 2ast 38% three) was also added and has been an electrifying impact with highlight slams and exciting plays. With the physical inside presence of Reiner and the talented athletic scoring prowess of Mitchell, Bamberg has two more weapons to an already loaded lineup. Big man Darren Fenn scores 11.3ppg adding 6.1reb and 42% three point shooting. Stretching defenses with his skillful touch, Fenn has been an all star in the Bundesliga for three seasons (one with Bremerhaven and two with Bamberg). Versatile small forward Predrag Suput produces 10ppg 4.3reb 2.2ast while hitting 41% from three. A key figure in the Bamberg attack, Suput scores in a variety of ways. Popular German forward Ademola Okulaja adds 10.6ppg 5.9reb with 26% three point accuracy. A German National team forward, Okulaja is knicknamed "The Warrior" for his outstanding style of play. Physical post man Chris Ensminger adds toughness and experience to the front line and has recently returned from injury. Ensminger scored 5.9ppg with 4.1reb but his biggest plus is his toughness in the paint on D. Young talent Tim Ohlbrecht also gives Bamberg excellent minutes and has been a factor on both ends of the floor for Bamberg. German National team members Steffen Hamann, Robert Garrett and Mithat Demirel strengthen the Bamberg backcourt. Hamann runs the team as an emotional leader and energy player from his point guard position. The hardworking defender has taken his offensive game to another level this season and averages 9.6ppg 2.3reb 3.5ast with 29% three point shooting. The veteran Garrett is a terrific shooter who burys clutch shots and averages 7.4ppg 2.8reb 1.9ast with 34% from three. Demirel joined Bamberg midseason and has provided a strong backup guard presence with his experience and effort off the bench. Injured veteran Demond Greene is a key part of the team when healthy while Ivan Pavic, Karsten Tadda and Sajmen Hauer provide depth. Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans will be treated to see a top level Bamberg team filled with big-name German National team players and a high-level roster. Overall, Bamberg is a powerful team and will be determined to defend their Bundesliga championship with another strong post season in 2008.
Along with a strong Bundesliga season, brose Baskets Bamberg represented the Bundesliga in the Euroleague this year. Despite their 2-12 mark, Bamberg's Group C competition was outstanding as they faced home and home matchups with European powers Panathinaikos (Greece), Real Madrid (Spain), AXA FC Barcelona (Spain), Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey), Partizan Igokea (Serbia), Lottomatica Roma (Italy) and Chorale Roanne (France). The two highlights of the Bamberg Euroleague campaign came in their 78-62 win over Partizan Igokea and their 81-73 victory over Fenerbahce Ulker at JAKO Arena.
For ratiopharm Ulm fans, Sunday provides the chance to see the terrific Bamberg players and team. The game also provides Ulm's Sebastian Betz the chance to play against his former team from Bamberg. After playing with Breitengussbach in the 2.Bundesliga South last season, Basti signed with Ulm and has enjoyed a solid rookie season. Last year, Basti made excellent strides under the guidance of current Bamberg assistant Rick Stafford and also practiced with the Bamberg Bundesliga team. Certainly, Betz's three 3point makes at JAKO Arena were one of the highlights for the 22 year old rookie this season.
As Ulm travels to Paderborn for a Friday night game, Bamberg hosts the Koln 99ers for a Thursday night tipoff shown live online at www.sportdigital.tv from BBL.TV .
While ratiopharm Ulm looks to overcome their injuries and adversity from earlier in the practice week, the team aims for a strong performance and an upset at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Sunday, the one team Ulm has yet to beat comes to town --- brose Baskets Bamberg. With "W's" against 16 of 17 Bundesliga opponents, Ulm would like to complete their set. The backend of a two game weekend is Ulm's next chance at an ellusive win. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
BASIT BETZ AND BAMBERG
Sunday will be a special game for Sebastian Betz. The 22 year old Ulm wing played in the Bamberg organization last season with 2.Bundesliga South squad Breitengussbach and practiced with the brose team. Basti scored 9 points making three three pointers in Ulm's loss at JAKO Arena in early March.
SEVEN!
Bamberg head coach Dirk Bauermann, the German National team coach, has an impressive total of 7 Bundesliga Championships in his fantastic coaching career. Bauermann won 6 titles with Bayer Leverkusen during their dynasty years before capturing his 7th championship with Bamberg in 2004-2005. Last season Bauermann guided his Bamberg team to the best Euroleague finish from a German team in the competitions history.
PLANET BASKETBALL
As the Head Coach of a touring all star team from Planet Basketball, Ulm's Mike Taylor worked with Bamberg C Darren Fenn in the summer of 1999-2000. Widely regarded among the best big men in Germany, graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Before his tremendous European professional career began, Fenn traveled overseas with a basketball team sponsored by Planet Basketball. With the touring team of college stars, Fenn played 3 games in Finland and 3 games in Czech Republic.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain remains injured rehabbing his knee.
Romeo Travis: looks forward to action against Paderborn and Bamberg!
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star a key to teams success!
Bryan Lucas: out this weekend with leg injury!
Konrad Wysocki: game time decision with leg injury!
Dru Joyce:excellent matchup against both Tim Black and Steffan Hamann!
Florian Mobius: steady reserve ready to step up to help team.
EJ Gallup: Ulm sharpshooter looking for more production
Sean Finn: excellent 17pt 12reb game v Oldenburg
Sebastian Betz: will play key minutes for Ulm this weekend v former team!
Jan Sprunken: veteran shooter is a terrific team player!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Paderborn, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Sportzentrum Maspernplatz
website: www.paderborn-baskets.de
2006-2007: 16-18 11th place Bundesliga
Offense: Like ratiopharm Ulm, Paderborn rose to the Bundesliga last season and immediately established themselves as a competitive team. Now in the second season, the challenge is to continue to grow and develop within the league. Paderborn successfully played with a small lineup at times last season and will feature guards Tim Black, Steve Esterkamp and Malik Moore this year. Fans can expect big things from Moore who has been a top player in US minor leagues the last few seasons. Jason Edwin comes off a fantastic summer playing for his home country Virgin Islands and will be a key addition to Paderborn this season. Nathan Peavy and big man Anthony Washington also will make a significant impact. Although Washington begins the season dealing with an injury, when he returns, the big man from Portland State will bolster the Paderborn block on both ends. Rookie Forwards Greg Jenkins, Nathan Peavy and Billy McDaniel all look to add positives to the Paderborn team.
Defense: 6 new faces mean adjustments to the team and Head Coach Doug Spradley will work tirelessly to help his team move forward. The post depth looks to be better this season. When Washington returns, his size in combination with Nolte's physical presence should improve Paderborn's defensive post play. Overall, expect the solid, fundamental Paderborn team to take steps forward throughout the season.
GM:
Head Coach: Doug Spradley
Players:
Tim Black : top PG talent healthy to start this season
Steve Esterkamp: multiskilled wing is key for Paderborn
Malik Moore: injured/ will miss remainder of the season
Jason Edwin: terrific summer playing with Virgin Islands!
John Bynum: excellent defensive guard added to backcourt
Greg Jenkins: rookie F late preseason addition from Iona
Billy McDaniel: rookie F from Arkansas-Monticello
Nathan Peavy: rookie F from Miami Ohio
Matthias Finke: adds depth
Marius Nolte: hardworking physical 4 man/ key part of team
Christoph Hackenesch: adds depth
Chrisian Becker: adds depth
Location: Bamberg, Germany
Main Sponsor: brose
Home Court: JAKO Arena
website: www.brosebaskets.de
2006-2007: 24-10 3rd Place
Playoffs: German Champions (1st round beat Bonn 3-2; 2nd Round beat Ludwigsburg 3-1, Finals beat Artland 3-1)
ULEB Cup: 5th place (3-7) in Group A
Offense: After revamping their team midway through last season, Bamberg built themselves into a Bundesliga power which rolled all the way to the Bundesliga title. While Bamberg lost Bundesliga offensive player of the year Casey Jacobsen to the Memphis Grizzlies, Head Coach Dirk Bauermann welcomes impact players in German F Ademola Okulaja, 7'C Luke Schenscher, talented wing Predrag Suput, skilled New Zealander combo guard Mark Dickel and athletic German G Demond Greene. Mix these top new players in with returning PG Steffan Hamann, skilled C Darren Fenn, bruiser Chris Ensminger, rising talent Tim Ohlbrecht and veteran shooter Robert Garrett and most preseason expectations consider Bamberg as a terrific chance to repeat. A structured halfcourt power team, Bamberg is solid and fundamental with excellent perimeter shooting and size with quality in the paint.
Defense: Hardnosed and physical, the trademark of Bamberg championship teams revolves around their team defense. Winning some games ugly, Bamberg simply shuts down opposition with tough man to man defense. PG Steffen Hamann sets the tone with outstanding perimeter defense and the physical presence of Ensminger in the lane makes a major difference. As with last season, expect Bamberg to be among the top defensive teams in the Bundesliga which will help them again challenge for a championship.
Manager: Wolfgang Heyder
Head Coach: Dirk Bauerman
Key Players:
Darren Fenn: outstanding C/Bamberg from Bermerhaven
Steffen Hamann: excellent PG/ competes/ makes plays
Ademola Okulaja: top German F returns to Bundesliga
Mithat Demirel: hardnosed German National team PG
Demond Greene: athletic G joins Bamberg from ALBA
Predrag Suput: talented three man new to Bamberg
Dwayne Mitchell: exciting wing athlete/NBDL all star
Jared Reiner: former NBA big man/19pg with Bulls in 2004-2005
Chris Ensminger: physical/big/experienced/depth in post
Tim Olbrecht: top German talent/6'11 and skilled!
Robert Garrett: German National team wing/tough with J
Ivan Pavic: hardworking team player
