TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM HOSTS BREMERHAVEN!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Eisbaren Bremerhaven
Saturday Febuary 27th, 2010 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts the Bundesliga's number one team in scoring, rebounding, three point percentages and efficiency, but basketball fans will not be focused on statistics this Saturday as 'Mr Incredible' returns to Ulm for the first time. Along with the excellent Eisbaren Bremerhaven team, former ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs will be back in Sportszentrum Kuhberg, this time, on the opposing bench.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice on the attack!
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This weekend Ulm fans will see a familiar face in an unfamiliar uniform as former All-Star power forward Jeff Gibbs affectionately known as 'Mr Incredible' will not lineup in the orange and black of ratiopharm Ulm. After four outstanding seasons with Ulm, establishing himself as a dominant force in the paint leading the Bundesliga in rebounds three straight years, Jeff chose not to return to Ulm over the summer ending up in the Fishtown of Bremerhaven. Certainly a key player for the Eisbaren this season, the storyline for Saturdays game will be the head to head matchup of Jeff Gibbs against his former team and Gibbs' first trip back to Ulm. Lost in the attention of Jeff Gibbs mania, blue-collar post man Bryan Lucas also meets his former Ulm team at Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the first time. Of course, both sides are more focused on the team aspects of the game, but the first appearance of a former player against a former team or former teammates is always memorable.
Former ratiopharm Ulm All-Star power forward Jeff Gibbs was a key part to the teams rise from the 2.Bundesliga and firmly estbalished himself as a force in the Bundesliga. Saturday will be the first appearance in Sportszentrum Kuhberg for Jeff since he left the team in the summer.
At 15-9, Bremerhaven enters Sportszentrum Kuhberg as the number one team in the Bundesliga in scoring, rebounding, three point percentage and efficiency. Bremerhaven is also tied with ALBA Berlin for the most road wins to this point in the season with 9. After a 7-7 start, the Eisbaren went on a seven game winning streak doubling their victory total for the season as they improved to 14-7. The winning streak came after the Bremerhaven team made important roster moves to improve their team. After a disappointing home loss to Giessen and another road loss to rival Oldenburg, Bremerhaven bounced back to beat Tubingen at home last weekend improving to their current 15-9 mark. Rising to fourth in the Beko Bundesliga standings, Bremerhaven also advanced to the Top Four of the Cup to be played in Frankfurt with a big home win over Telekom Baskets Bonn.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie Robin Benzing came through in the clutch last game scoring 7 points in the final 1:32 helping lift his team to the important road win in Dusseldorf.
After struggling to a 7-27 record last season, Bremerhaven was relegated into the second league. But over the summer, GM Jan Rathjen led a campaign to earn a Bundesliga wildcard and when Nordlingen decided to play Pro A and Koln crashed financially, Bremerhaven bought the rights to play in the Bundesliga and re-established their presence in the league. While the team went through the process to compete at the highest level in German basketball, Bremerhaven also signed head coach Doug Spradley away from Paderborn. Together, Spradley and Rathjen embarked on the process of rebuilding the Bremerhaven roster. On paper, few teams have the depth and talent of the Eisbaren. Former Ulm post men Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas provide an inside-out threat to the frontcourt. As Gibbs makes his first return to Sportszetnrum Kuhberg in Ulm, he curretnly averages 13.3ppg 9.3reb and has improved his three point shooting with Bremerhaven. Meanwhile, Lucas brings a solid 6.2ppg 3.1reb and 36% three point shooting to the frontcourt. Wide post man Kevin Lyde gives Bremerhaven tremendous size, strength and skill in the paint. Although he has been injured over the last month, Lyde has produced 8.5ppg 3.6reb for the Eisbaren. Recently added to the Bremerhaven roster, sharpshooting forward Andrew Drevo has averaged 14.8ppg 4.3reb and 67% three point shooting in four games since signing in with the Eisbaren. Sharpshooting german wing Philip Schwethelm has moved into the starting lineup and produced 5.8ppg and 47% three point accuarcy. Hardworking German guard Jan Lipke (3.7ppg 26%threes) brings tremendous energy to every game and energizing wing Torrell Martin (10ppg 5.6reb 2.3ast 35% threes) adds versatility and skills to the Bremerhaven backcourt. Torrell was added to the Bremerhaven roster as an injury replacement in late-preseason for experienced shooter Steve Esterkamp who will be sidelined for the season. Key guards include veteran point guard Lou Campbell (12.6ppg 3.5reb 6.5ast 33% threes) who returns to the Bundesliga after starring in Giessen in the early 2000's. Athletic rookie PG Brandon Brooks provides depth and a change of pace for Bremerhaven. Brooks has steadily improved this season and averages 7.6ppg 1.8reb 2.2ast 36% threes). Finally, former Trier forward Jonathan Moore adds depth and versatility to the frontcourt. Overall, the Bremerhaven roster has size, skill and depth and rank as one of the most talented teams in the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland.
In recent seasons, ratiopharm Ulm and Bremerhaven have locked up for several exciting games. Over the last three years, Bremerhaven holds a 4-3 advantage over Ulm with the two teams splitting road wins the last two seasons and the Eisbaren sweeping Ulm in 2006-2007. Despite the strong home court advantage over the last three seasons, Ulm has yet to beat Bremerhaven at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Saturday is their next opportunity.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins fouls former Ulm forward Jeff Gibbs in Sunday the November 1st, 2009 game at Stadthalle Bremerhaven.
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm earned a 'bounce back' road win over the Eisbaren. After a 28 point home debacle gainst Dusseldorf on Friday night, no one expected ratiopharm Ulm to win in Bremerhaven two days later. But ratiopharm Ulm rallied together and played with tremendous heart in earning a hardfought 85-80 road win over the Eisbaren Sunday afternoon November 1st, 2009 at Stadthalle Bremerhaven. Christian Burns led the Ulm attack with a 22 point 7 rebound performance while Per Gunther and Coleman Collins added 14 points apiece, Lee Humphrey hit 3 of 5 threes for 12 points and Rocky Trice finished with 11 points 4 boards 5 steals in the Ulm win. Ulm's young team showed tremendous heart in their 'bounce back win' Sunday in Bremerhaven.
click for complete Ulm @ Bremerhaven 11-1-09 Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns (23) and John Bryant defend as Bremerhaven's Kevin Lyde works to score inside in the first matchup between the teams earlier this season.
Last season, with a playoff place secure, ratiopharm Ulm slipped to an 89-81 home loss to last place Eisbaren Bremerhaven Thursday evening April 30th, 2009 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Bremerhaven's second quarter run helped the Eisbaren establish a 14 point lead. Holding off Ulm's comeback attempt, Bremerhaven earned their 6th win of the season while ratiopharm Ulm is now 20-13. All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a 20 point 16 rebound double double and Lee Humphrey hit 5 of 8 threes to add 19 points in the loss.
click for complete 4-30-09 Ulm v Bremerhaven Game Summary!
Earlier last season, ratiopharm Ulm put six players in double figures in a hard-earned 90-86 road win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven Sunday November 23rd, 2008 at Stadthalle in Bremerhaven. Ulm forward Romeo Travis scored a career high 25 points and Jeff Gibbs powered his way to an 18 point 11 rebound double double to pace Ulm production. A late third quarter run sparked by 11 straight Jeff Gibbs points helped Ulm take a 68-60 lead into the fourth quarter before clutch plays and cool free throw shooting helped Ulm earn the win.
click here for 11-23-08 Ulm @ Bremerhaven Game Summary!
2007-2008 in Bremerhaven, ratiopharm Ulm beat Eisbaren Bremerhaven for the first time in their two seasons in the Bundesliga with an 80-70 victory, their first road win of the 2007-2008 season. Konrad Wysocki was a perfect 6 for 6 from the floor and finished with a team best 20 points 10 rebounds followed by point guard Kyle Bailey with a well rounded 18 point 11 rebound 5 assist effort and All Star Jeff Gibbs with a powerful 17 points 10 boards and 5 blocks. Trailing 54-48 heading into the fourth, Ulm outscored Bremerhaven 32-16 over the final ten minutes for the win
Click here for 11-25-07 Ulm @ Bremerhaven Game Summary!
Later April 4th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, ratiopharm Ulm had plenty of chances to get hot in a Friday night showdown against Bremerhaven, but in the end cold shooting and solid Eisbaren play combined to put Ulm on ice in an 82-75 home loss. Entering the game as the Bundesliga's top rated offense, Ulm struggled to 36% floor shooting including 9 for 35 (25%) from three while making only 10 of 20 from the foul line. Ulm's cold shooting froze their fourth quarter comeback attempt as Bremerhaven earned the road win.
Click here for 4-4-08 Ulm v Bremerhaven game summary!
In the 2006-2007 season, Ulm was swept by Bremerhaven losing both contests between the two teams. Last December, Ulm traveled up north to Bremerhaven and was pounded 92-65 as the Eisbaren dominated the game. Back in Ulm in April, Ulm dropped an 84-74 game to the Eisbaren. The game snapped ratiopharm Ulm's 8 game home winning streak. Bryan Lucas and Jeff Gibbs were outstanding for Ulm. Lucas led the way with 19 points and 4 rebounds in a terrific effort while Gibbs collected an 18 point 18 rebound double double.
Click for Ulm @ Bremerhaven December 17, 2006 game summary
Click for Ulm v Bremerhaven April 15, 2007 game summary
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther
ratiopharm Ulm takes momentum from last weekends important road win in Dusseldorf into this weekends game against Bremerhaven. Focused for a strong home performance, Saturday's game will certainly be special for basketball fans in Ulm as Mr Incredible returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the first time.
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: Ulm sharpshooter ready for tough Bremerhaven D
Rocky Trice: impact player for Ulm on both ends of floor
Coleman Collins:looks forward to challenge v Eisbaren frontcourt
Christian Burns: leads Ulm in scoring and rebounding
Robin Benzing: talented rookie F focused for Eisbaren
Per Gunther: young pg leads Ulm v Bremerhaven
Austen Rowland: playmaking pg ready for challenge v Campbell/Brooks
Sebastian Betz: recovering from leg injury
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: Bremerhaven, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Stadthalle Bremerhaven
website: www.eisbaeren-bremerhaven.de
2008-2009: 7-27 18th place
2007-2008: 29-15 7th place
Playoffs: lost 3-0 to ALBA Berlin in 1st Round
Offense: Playing a power game featuring a talented and deep roster, Bremerhaven will attack with several post up options in the front court. The team is run by the experienced point guard play of Lou Campbell. Overall, the Eisbaren have a complete lineup with the ability to score in transition, attacking one on one, on the block, from beyond the arc and on the offensive glass.
Defense: A physical hardnosed man to man defensive team, the imposing size and physical strength of the Bremerhaven frontcourt is a clear strength of the team. Along with the tough man to man defense, Bremerhaven will play a 2-3 zone including sideline or endline situations.
GM: Jan Rathjen
Head Coach:
Players:
Jan Lipke: German wing/active perimeter/ energy player
Andrew Drevo: outstanding 3pt shooting PF excellent addition to team
Lou Campbell: experienced PG keys Eisbaren attack
Kevin Lyde: wide physical inside presence from Temple
Philipp Schwethelm: excellent three point shooting wing
Brandon Brooks: athletic PG fast in transition and explosive
Bryan Lucas: crafty inside scorer and 3pt shooting post
Jeff Gibbs: physical, versatile and excellent rebounder
Torrell Martin: recently added guard adds scoring to perimeter
Jonathan Moore: forward adds depth
