TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM ROAD TRIP TO DUSSELDORF!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Dusseldorf Giants
Sunday Febuary 21st, 2010 5pm
Burg-Wachter-Costello Dusseldorf, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm makes a weekend road trip to the beautiful German city of Dusseldorf for a 5pm Sunday afternoon tipoff against the Giants at Burg-Wachter-Costello. Focused for two key points, Ulm wants to improve their play on the road and demonstrate their improvement after the disappointing early season home performance against Dusseldorf.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice drives his team toward improvement with relentless effort.
click here for regio-tv preview!
click here for Sudwest-Presse online preview!
Tipping off the 2009-2010 Bundesliga season, ratiopharm Ulm featured the Bundesliga's youngest team with an average age of 21 years. After an injury riddled preseason, the team opened the schedule slowly with a 1-6 record. Part of the growing pains for the young team included their 80-66 home loss to Dusseldorf in which Ulm played 'frustrated' in the second half and let the game get away from them. Clearly, the low point of the season, Ulm bounced back from the 'Dusseldorf Debacle' with a heart-filled road win at Bremerhaven two days later. Working for improvement over the entire season, Ulm has made excellent strides as individuals and as a team. A trip to China brought the team closer together connecting the young players in a special way. Focused to play better, ratiopharm Ulm picked up key wins against MBC and Hagen before playing well in two quality losses to Frankfurt and ALBA Berlin in the last two weekends. This weekend, ratiopharm Ulm is focused to 'show their improvement' and raise their performance level on the road. This weekend's opponent, the Dusseldorf Giants, left Ulm with a bitter home loss earlier in the season and this weekend's rematch has both teams motivated.
ratiopharm Ulm's team captain Lee Humphrey takes aim for a three pointer against Dusseldorf at Sportszentrum Kuhberg earlier this season. Ulm shot 1-24 (4%) from three in the home loss and is focused for better accuracy from three in this weekends rematch.
Dusseldorf's 2009-2010 roster has been a terrific offensive team with excellent additions including former Bundesliga Defensive Player of the Year Koko Archibong, sharpshooting center Jonathan Cox and talented combo guard BA Walker. Archibong has been a terrific addition to the Dusseldorf team with his energy in the post and experience as a defensive stopper. Koko has produced a team best 12.3ppg 6.3reb while hitting 44% from three. At center, the former Creighton University Bluejay Jonathan Cox (7.4ppg 5.2reb 29% threes) stretches the floor with his deep three point range and talented BA Walker (10pt 2.8reb 2ast 30% threes) can score and create offense from both backcourt positions. Walker was outstanding in Ulm earlier this season hitting 8 of 10 shots for 19 points in the Giants big road win. With the same playing style as over the last few seasons, Dusseldorf features an uptempo attack with excellent perimeter shooting. Head Coach Achim Kuczmann often uses a small-ball attack and spreads the floor with accurate three point shooting. Energizing forward Brant Bailey (11.1ppg 3.4reb 31%threes) leads the offensive production as a small, perimeter skilled power forward. Unfortunately for Dusseldorf, Bailey has been suspended for three games and fined by the Bundesliga for an unsportsmanlike foul late in last weeks road loss in Tubingen. Sharpshooting Brendan Winters (10.8ppg 3.3reb 39% three) remains a key player for the Giants who has enjoyed quality games against Ulm over the last several seasons. Logan Kosmalski (3.7ppg 2.8reb) has made an impact as a post man giving the Giants with skills in the paint. Athletic wing TJ Carter (7.6ppg 2.8reb 23% threes) adds versatility and production on both ends of the floor and has returned to Dusseldorf after an excellent summer working out in Atlanta. Hardworking point guard Zack Whiting (5.3ppg 2.6reb 2.7ast 25% threes) also returned to Dusseldorf after a move to Artland and is back home as the Giants floor general. Captain Gordon Geib (5ppg 1.4reb 1.2ast 32%threes) brings energy and attacking pg play off the Giants bench. Rounding out the roster, Tom and Ben Spoeler and Matthias Goddek provide depth and potential for the future.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins has played strong over the last several games and is focused for Sunday's rematch in Dusseldorf.
The Giants enter Sunday's game against Ulm with a 7-16 record. This season, Dusseldorf has struggled through a six game losing streak and another four game losing streak mid season. The team has faced off the floor problems with finances which could have distrated the teams on-court performance. Fortunately for Dusseldorf and the Bundesliga, the city helped the team handle their financial issues. The Giants have been 5-6 at home this season while struggling to a 2-10 road record. Dusseldorf's biggest road win came against ratiopharm Ulm back in October.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns looks to attack the Dusseldorf defense this weekend.
Earlier this season, in the first meeting between Ulm and Dusseldorf, a 20-0 Dusseldorf run and 1 for 24 three point shooting frustrated ratiopharm Ulm in Friday night October 30, 2010 88-60 home debacle against the Dusseldorf Giants at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Holding a 40-38 late first half lead, several turnovers rattled ratiopharm Ulm as the young team lost their composure giving Dusseldorf a 50-40 halftime lead. Ulm's 0 for the second half three point shooting frustrated the young team as Dusseldorf ran away with the game in the second half.
Click here for complete Ulm v Dusseldorf Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther finishes a layup in the first half of Friday night October 30th game against Dusseldorf at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Per scored 8 points with 2 assists in the loss.
click here for Box score 10-30-09
click here for regio-tv report from Dusseldorf game 10-30-09
click for 10-30-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf photo gallery from Sudwest Presse
Click for 10-30-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf photo gallery
In Ulm's most recent matchup with Dusseldorf, ratiopharm Ulm former power forward Jeff Gibbs posted a physical 16 point 17 rebound double double while Sebastian Betz and the bench picked up for the absence of a flu-stricken Lee Humphrey in Ulm's hard-earned 76-67 home win over the Dusseldorf Giants Saturday night Febuary 7th, 2009 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Click for complete 2-7-09 Ulm v Dusseldorf Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm and Dusseldorf played an exciting and intensely competitive game in their first meeting of the season. ratiopharm Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs scored the game winning basket with 8 seconds to play and the teams defense held on through the final buzzer in a thrilling 72-71 road win over Dusseldorf Giants Saturday night October 4th, 2008 at Burg-Wachter Costello Sportshalle in Dusseldorf Germany. The exciting game featuring two early season unbeaten teams played out as the tale of two halves with Ulm starting strong bursting to a 52-39 halftime lead and Dusseldorf answering with a tremendous second half surge. With 4 minutes remaining the game was tied at 66 and both teams had several opportunities to take the lead but failed to score for two minutes. Dusseldorf took a 71-68 advantage into the last minute of play but a strong Ulm defense, big baskets from Romeo Travis and Jeff Gibbs and a couple fortunate bounces helped Ulm earn the exciting road win. Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs stuffed the stat sheet scoring 18 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists and registering 3 blocks in a fantastic effort topped off with a fantastic finish!
click here for 10-4-08 Ulm @ Dusseldorf Game Summary!
In 2007-2008, ratiopharm Ulm and Bayer Leverkusen met for the final times on the floor before German pharmaceutical company Bayer stepped back as main sponsor in Leverkusen and the traditional basketball organization moved to nearby Dusseldorf. Ulm and Leverkusen split their games in 2007-2008. On March 24th, 2008, ratiopharm Ulm's 105-87 home win was the perfect remedy for the bitter pill of last seasons doule-overtime German Cup loss in Berlin which left everyone competitively-sick. Pharmaceutical products aside, ratiopharm Ulm's Easter Monday win gave the team and fans a 'Feel-good' performance to remember in taking a third straight Bundesliga win. In the last of the classic games between Pharmaceutical giants Bayer and ratiopharm, for Ulm, topping Leverkusen in a terrific team effort was good medicine.
Click here for Ulm v Leverkusen March 24, 2008 Game Summary!
Earlier last season on November 11th, 2007, ratiopharm Ulm went into Leverkusen and built a 14 point lead in the third quarter before Leverkusen's veteran shooter Tyron McCoy helped spark a comeback. With a strong fourth quarter, Leverkusen topped Ulm 87-77 in a fast-paced exciting game.
Click here for 11-11-07 Ulm @ Leverkusen Game Summary
In the 2006-2007 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. Both ratiopharm Ulm and Dusseldorf enter Saturday nights game focused for an important win.
Ulm post players Coleman Collins and Christian Burns finished strong at the rim against Dusseldorf back in October at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Ulm's weekend road trip begins early Saturday morning as the team travels to Dusseldorf for an early evening practice and road trip program in preparation for Sunday's 5pm tip off. ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz continues to rehabilitate an Adductor injury and rested throughout the week. The hardworking wing will be a game time decision but without practices, it is unlikely he will play. The remainder of the ratiopharm Ulm roster is healthy and focused for improved play on the road and revenge against the Giants.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Ulm Roster
Lee Humphrey: has enjoyed strong games v Giants last season
Rocky Trice: impact player for Ulm on both ends of floor
Coleman Collins:looks forward to challenge v Giants frontcourt
Christian Burns: leads Ulm in scoring and rebounding
Robin Benzing: talented rookie forward ready for weekend games
Per Gunther: young pg leads Ulm v Dusseldorf
Austen Rowland : playmaking pg ready for challenge on road
Sebastian Betz: recovering from leg injury/game time decision
John Bryant: hardworking post sub ready to boost Ulm's effort
Christian Grosse: working hard and playing well in practices
Kevin Martin: Ulm center adds new dimension with size and strength
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer, Tunde Adekola
Location: Dusseldorf, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Burg-Wachter-Costello
website: www.giants-duesseldorf.de
2007-2008: 25-9 place 3rd place
Offense: Featuring an uptempo attack, Dusseldorf is an excellent perimeter shooting team and will often use small lineups looking to exploit matchups and outscore opponents. Playing unselfish, team basketball with skilled shooters, Dusseldorf is one of the fastes teams in the Bundesliga. Never out of a game because of their excellent shooting ability, the Giants are perimeter oriented and fun to watch.
Defense: Coach Achim Kuczmann will mix defenses playing a combination of man to man, zone and changing defenses. Dusseldorf aggressively plays passing lanes. The Giants will trap, double the post and change defenses from man to zone to mix up opposing attacks.
GM: Otto Reintjes
Head Coach: Achim Kuczmann
Players:
Brendan Winters: sharpshooting G has enjoyed good games v Ulm
Gordon Geib: skilled PG/team captain
Brant Bailey: energizing F suspended by Bundesliga 3 games
Logan Kosmalski: smart post hardworking and team oriented
Zack Whiting: hardworking pg returns to Giants from Artland
BA Walker: talented young combo guard 10ppg
Koko Archibong: go-to Giant/ tremendous defender 12.3pt 6.3reb
Jonathan Cox: excellent shooting post man from Creighton U
TJ Carter: hardworking wing/ underrated/ active and energy
Tom Spoeler:
Ben Spoeler:
Matthias Goddek:
