TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM TAKES ON TRIER!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Trier
Saturday December 5, 2009 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
Looking to bounce back from last weekends road loss in Paderborn, ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Saturday night when they host TBB Trier at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Focused for reduced defensive mistakes and improved offensive execution, Ulm works for another push upward in their rollercoaster season of highs and lows. Saturday's challenge is a tough one as the talented Trier team returns their top players from last seasons squad and are off to a strong start this season. Returning to the homecourt advantage of Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Ulm is focused to take on Trier.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey has been in topform over a six game stretch.
click here for Regio TV report
This season, ratiopharm Ulm has enjoyed some excellent highs with strong performances in beating good Bundesliga teams. Last weekend in Paderborn was one of the young teams lows in their road loss. Working for consistency, Ulm's team has demonstrated the ability to bounce back from subpar performances with strong teamwork and execution. Learning how to control the tempo of the game, work for good shots and defend talented opponents consistently has proven to be a big challenge for the young Ulm team which averages 21 years of age. With positive support from the management and coaching staff, the Ulm players have demonstrated excellent teamwork and team chemistry throughout the early season ups and downs. This weekend as the team prepares to play Trier Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Ulm aims for another strong performance pushing for an upward roll on the 2009-2010 roller coaster.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther is averaging 6.9ppg and 2.9ast
Ulm has won their last two home games at Sportszentrum Kuhberg beating Braunschwieg 75-72 Saturday November 21st and topping Gottingen 101-88 Saturday November 7th. Facing their third straight strong team, Ulm will need another excellent performance to capture their third straight home win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg over Trier on Saturday.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns glides to the basket. Burns leads Ulm's offense with 15.5ppg and 6.6reb
Trier's 2009-2010 season tipped off with two wins as they topped Frankfurt 71-67 October 9th and edged Dusseldorf 87-84 October 16th in two home games. October 18th, Trier trekked to Bremerhaven where the Eisbaren beat TBB 89-73 October 18th. Trier bounced back for a 94-87 home win over Gottingen October 23rd. Ludwigsburg won big over Trier 93-65 October 25th and Braunschweig won in Trier 82-67 October 30th. Even at 3-3, Trier won three straight games beating Paderborn 99-63 November 1st, edging Artland 75-73 November 7th, beating Giessen 87-83 November 14th at Trier Arena. At 6-3, Oldenburg beat Trier 81-48 at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg. Last week, Trier topped Tubingen 86-78 November 29th. At 7-4, Trier has started the season strong.
ratiopharm Ulm huddles together prior to the start of a game!
Trier has almost their entire roster back from last season. The go-to guy for Trier is power forward Chris Copeland who headlines the cast of returning players. The skillfull scoring forward can score inside with strong post moves and quick spins in the lane or make plays on the perimeter with his jumpshot and passing skills. Copeland has opened the season strong leading Trier's offensive attack averaging 17.5ppg 3.2reb 2.5ast 37% threes. The man in the middle is veteran post presence George Evans. The former George Mason post man has delivered in Trier. A terrific story, the USA military veteran led George Mason University to a cinderella Final Four run in his college career and has established himself as an outstanding inside player in Europe playing for Yves Defraigne in both Belgium and Germany. This season, big George boasts averages of 9.8ppg and 4.4reb as he powers his way to points in the paint with a soft jump hook touch. On the perimeter, skillfull scoring wing Jamal Shuler is one of the most underrated players in the Bundesliga. The former VCU Ram has produced a solid 12.1ppg with 5.1reb as he scores in transition, creating one on one and with active cutting. In the Trier backcourt, veteran guards Brian Brown and Derek Raivio provide an excellent one-two punch at the point guard position. Brown has made his mark in the Bundesliga winning the All Star game MVP award and establishing himself as a face for the Trier team. The former Ohio State guard has averaged 8.8ppg 3.1ast this season. Meanwhile, the talented former Gonzaga Zag, Raivio has stepped up his game this season producing 13.5ppg 3.1ast and 46% from three point range. Team captain James Gillingham is a tremendous competitor and brings terrific leadership to the Trier team. After overcoming injuries in the last several seasons, James has returned to excellent form contributing solid numbers and defense to his squad. Off the bench, former Ulm big man Maksym Shtein returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg where he helped lead ratiopharm Ulm into the Bundesliga with his crafty post play. After playing 5 seasons for Ulm in the 2.Bundesliga South and Bundesliga, Max moved on to play in Frankfurt and is now in his second season in Trier. This year, the 'Ukraine Train' has averaged a solid 5.9ppg 3.2reb in an important role for Trier in the paint. On the perimeter, Trier picked up former Oldenburg wing Miladin Pekovic who has given his new team 5ppg 2.2reb and 35% three point shooting. An intelligent player who is always a threat to score, Pekovic stretches the floor with his range and actively cuts to make things happen. Rounding out the Trier roster, talented young big man Maik Zirbes continues to gain experience with increased playing time and Kosta Karamatsos returns to the backcourt. New to the team this season is Samy Picard who joins Trier after successful seasons in his homeland of Luxemburg.
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice has missed practice with a hand injury and is a game-time decision for Saturday.
Last season, Ulm and Trier split their two games with each team winning on their home floor. In the first meeting, ratiopharm Ulm celebrated their last game of the 2008 calendar year with an 82-74 home win over TBB Trier Friday night December 19th, 2008. Earning their 10th win of the season, ratiopharm Ulm improved to 10-5 at their Christmas break while announcing several positive developments before tip off at a sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Before the exciting win, ratiopharm Ulm management announced a new contract extension with sponsor SWU strengthening the teams support and financial situation into the near future. Along with the terrific SWU sponsorship extension, ratiopharm Ulm management also announced the contract extension of sharpshooting guard Lee Humphrey. For ratiopharm Ulm, the positive developments on and off the floor give the team and fans alot to celebrate this Holiday season!
click here for December 19, 2008 Ulm vs Trier Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm rookie Robin Benzing continues to establish himself in the Bundesliga and looks forward to the next challenge against Trier.
Later in 2009, ratiopharm Ulm celebrated their 103-66 playoff clinching home win Friday night April 17th over EnBW Ludwigsburg at Sportszentrum Kuhberg tipping off their exciting two game weekend, but were unable to complete the weekend sweep after tripping in Trier 82-63 Sunday evening April 19th, 2009 on BBL.TV. Tied at 32 at the half, Trier built an 11 point lead through a third quarter run and cruised to the late season win. Rooke point guard Per Gunther paced ratiopharm Ulm scoring with a solid 14 point performance while Lee Humphrey added 11.
Click here for April 19, 2009 Ulm @ Trier Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant tips in an offensive rebound in the last home game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg against Braunschweig. Saturday, John is focused for the challenge against the talented Trier frontcourt.
In 2007-2008, ratiopharm Ulm and Trier met three times with Ulm earning wins in all three games. On January 10th, 2008, Ulm advanced in the German Cup with a hardfought 73-68 road win at Trier Arena. Without injured point guard Kyle Bailey, Ulm's Dru Joyce stepped into the starting lineup and stepped up to score 27 points in a fantastic game helping to lead his team to the road win. Ulm's strong start gave them a 23-13 lead after one quarter and a 12 point lead at half before holding off a Trier comeback. Ulm advanced to the Elite Eight of the German Cup before falling at ALBA Berlin in a memorable double-overtime game Wednesday March 19th.
Click here for Ulm @ Trier January 10th German Cup Game Summary!
Last November, ratiopharm Ulm faced TBB Trier at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night November 17th. Ulm put all five starters in double figures led by All Star Jeff Gibbs who powered his way to a team best 24 point 9 rebound 4 assist night in a 92-70 win. Trailing the determined Trier team 41-37 at half, Ulm found their rhythm regaining the lead in the third before breaking the game open with a 31-13 fourth quarter. An all-around team effort, Ulm shot 53% from the floor and distributed 19 assists while outrebounding their guests 36-27 in the win. Ulm received 16 points 9 rebounds from Konrad Wysocki, 15 points 6 assists from Kyle Bailey and 14 points apiece from EJ Gallup and Bryan Lucas. Ulm's victory over Trier sparked a 5 game win streak.
Click here for Ulm-Trier November 17, 2007 game summary.
Finally, in a third game against Trier last season, ratiopharm Ulm rallied from a 38-32 halftime deficit to outscore host TBB Trier 47-26 in the second half as part of a 79-64 road win Saturday night March 29th at Trier Arena. Sebastian Betz buried three big threes, Dru Joyce orchestrated a key third quarter run and Jeff Gibbs scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to power the comeback win. Ulm's strong second half was sparked by strong second options from the bench --- after a slow start, Betz, Romeo Travis and Florian Mobius helped lift the Ulm attack in their own way.
Click here for March 29th, 2008 Ulm @ Trier Game Summary!
In the 2006-2007 season ratiopharm Ulm won on the road in Trier in an exciting uptempo game highlighted by Jeff Gibbs' monster dunk and a strong team effort. Former Ulm point guard Austen Rowland also played well dishing out a Bundesliga best 18 assists for Ulm that April evening.
Click here for Ulm @ Trier April 21, 2007 game summary.
Earlier in the 2006-2007 season, Ulm and Trier met at Sportszentrum Kuhberg and it was also near the Christmas Holidays. Before a sold-out Sportszentrum Kuhberg Holiday-weekend crowd, ratiopharm Ulm topped Trier in overtime 85-82 December 30th, 2006. In a true team effort, Ulm received excellent production from their bench and used a balanced scoring attack to edge Trier, recently one of the hottest teams in the Bundesliga. C Maksym Shtein and PG Austen Rowland topscored for Ulm with 18 points apiece and Konrad Wysocki added a strong 14 points 8 rebounds to the Ulm win. Ironically, both Shtein and Rowland would later play for Trier.
click for Ulm vs Trier December 30, 2006 Game Summary!
Ulm head coach Mike Taylor and Trier center George Evans have some jokes during a sideline inbound play during last seasons Ulm-Trier game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Ulm's lineup could have a different look as star guard Rocky Trice has been sidelined with a hand injury missing the entire week of practice. Without Trice, Ulm will look for a group effort to overcome this key absence. In particular, captain Lee Humphrey has been in top form over the last six games for Ulm sinking a sizzling 25 of 38 threes (65%). Since overcoming his slow start, the former Florida Gator sharpshooter has raised his three point shooting percentage to 42% and overtaken the Bundesliga lead for most three pointers made.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action this season on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Ulm Roster
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter has hit 25 of 38 threes in last 6 games!
Rocky Trice: Ulm impact player dealing with hand injury
Christian Burns: leads Ulm O with 15.5ppg 6.6reb
Coleman Collins: ready for challenge against good Trier big men
Robin Benzing: rookie F has room for improved production
John Bryant: defensive ace drew starting assignment last 2 games
Kevin Kanaskie: rookie PG set for matchups against Trier PGs
Sebastian Betz: returned to team in Paderborn
Per Gunther: focused for consistent point guard play
Christian Grosse: excellent week in practice
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Trier, Germany
Main Sponsor: Hochwald
Home Court: Trier Arena
website: www.trierer-basketball.de
2007-2008: 7-27 17th place
2008-2009:
Offense: A tremendously improved offensive team, Trier's attack revolves around the transition play and ballscreens of point guard Derek Raivio. The skillful PG sets the tone with excellent work running the fast break along with attacking ballscreen defenses to score or make the right pass. Chris Copeland is a go-to guy for Trier and is one of the most talented scorers in the Bundesliga. Several wings shoot the three well and when Trier can get into transition and get hot from the perimeter, they can score with the best in the Bundesliga. In the post, George Evans and Maksym Shtein compliment one another well and give Trier two scoring options on the block. Trier's improvement this season has alot to do with the new talented players and excellent work on offense.
Defense: Defensively Trier features a solid man to man scheme with excellent size and shot blocking from George Evans. Captain James Gillingham is an excellent defensive player on the perimeter and wings are long, lanky with the ability to pressure the ball.
GM: Lothar Hemerling
Head Coach: Yves Defraigne
Players:
James Gillingham: captain and team leader playing strong season
Derek Raivio: Trier PG playing well 13.5ppg 3.1ast 46% threes
Chris Copeland: talented go-to scoring forward 17.5ppg
Jamal Shuler: athletic scoring wing from VCU 12.1ppg 5.1reb
Maksym Shtein: former Ulm center enjoying excellent yr in Trier
George Evans: talented C go-to-guy in post for Trier
Miladin Pekovic: skillfull wing joins Trier from Oldenburg
Brian Brown: former Bundesliga All Star MVP a face of Trier team
Kosta Karamatsos: talented young guard provides energy for Trier
Maik Zirbes: talented young post man
