Preview
When the last Hansbrough Watch was published, details on Je’kel Foster’s injury were still sketchy. Since then, however, FC Bayern has announced that Foster has suffered a severe high-ankle sprain and will be sidelined for the rest of 2011 – at least. Bad news for Foster and the team, but if there’s a silver lining, then it’s that Ben Hansbrough will now see increased playing time. (more…)
Phoenix Hagen may not be a team that has a superstar player like Dashaun Wood, will reach the beko BBL playoffs with ease
this season, have Bernd Kruel play point guard for a quarter, have Paris Hilton as a cheerleader, or German actor Til Schweiger sitting in the front row at each home game, but one thing that they have and can never be taken away from them is the very sweet distinction of having Alba Berlins number in the Enervie arena the last two seasons winning 92-86 last season despite 37 points from mr ballerina Derrick Allen and 98-91 this season. Who needs a Dashaun Wood when you have a Marc Carter who can lead you to the win with 33 points. Even if the season isn’t a total success, one will at least have the memory of having beaten Alba Berlin in your own living room. One player that will cherish the win last season forever is Quentin pryor who found some time to reflect on the upset win last season in Austria where he is currently earning his bread for his family. “The win over Alba Berlin was my second biggest win after the win we got getting to the Beko BBL in 2009. I remember that we didn´t give Alba Berlin a chance in this game. Once the fourth quarter rolled along, we felt that we were going to win the game. We held the Alba Berlin shooters
in check and got them out of their comfort zone. I thought that it was great that we were able to prove all those doubters wrong by coming on the floor and competiting”, stressed Quentin Pryor. Other teams in the Beko BBL are noticing how difficult it is to play in Hagen like the Walter Tigers Tuebingen who won a 111-104 shoot out recently. Josh young remembers the win in Hagen and beating underdogs in college as ifapples were growing on trees. “That they beat Alba Berlin doesn´t surprise me at all. Once Hagen gets going offensively, they can be very dangerous and play with anyone. It is tough to play there since they have nice fans and use their home court advantage well. When I was at Drake, we beat Iowa and Iowa State each year until my senior year when we finally lost. For underdog teams, there is always an extra motivation playing higher ranked teams, because nobody expects them to win. And after you beat them so many times, you expect to always win”, warned Josh Young. It took the Frankfurt Skyliners some six years to win in Bamberg again, is a Phoenix Hagne jinx already cast upon Alba Berlin? “It seems like an Alba Berlin jinx has started, but if Phoenix Hagen wins again next season, then there is definitely a jinx”, smiled Quentin Pryor.
Review
Ben played a whopping 23 minutes and 21 seconds in FC Bayern’s 75:62 Eurocup loss against BC Spartak St. Petersburg today. As we know from the last edition of Hansbrough Watch, Jonathan Wallace is injured. He didn’t even make the trip to St. Petersburg with the team. Ben saw increased floor time because of this – and because SG Je’kel Foster also suffered an injury during the game. He twisted his ankle near the end of the second quarter and didn’t return. Details on the type and severity of his injury are not yet available.
Unfortunately, the game was not broadcast on TV (and I didn’t feel like hopping to St. Petersburg), so I can’t give you my impressions of Ben’s performance. I can only take a look at the boxscore, which is … not flattering:
23:21 Minutes
4 Points
1/5 FGs
0/2 3Ps
2/2 FTs
3 REB (1 OFF, 2 DEF)
1 Assist
1 Steal
2 Turnovers
4 Fouls
I didn’t see the game, so the following observations are just things I gleaned from the livescore:
Whoever said, you can only be a Lebron James or Kevin Durant to have a whirlwind basketball career with so much happening like the James and Rashard Lewis rumors about foul play and a girlfriend last summer or Durant seemingly being headed to every team in Europe even BBC Bayreuth, but even a Beko BBL player like EJ Gallup has had a very exciting 2011 going from the restaurant business to playing in the IBL with the Albany Legends to TBB Trier for a few months after being a away for three years. Recently, the American confirmed that he will be heading back to the States to pursue a coaching career. After TBB Trier was unable to send him on his way with a win at home, the team had one last chance winning in Frankfurt and the club from the Mosel river was as focused as Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers is to follow in the footsteps of New England quarter back Tom Brady for a perfect regular season, Justin Bieber telling David letterman that he can smell a weasel concerning the woman who claims that she is fostering his baby or Chester Frazier is getting back to playing professional basketball with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg after being away from the professional ranks for a season going back to Illinois(NCAA) helping as an assistant coach as Gallup as his teammates grinded out a big 64-54 win. Gallup played only four minutes, but is just happy to 
leave the floor as a winner and has fond memories of teammate dru Joyce.. “This was my first win here in this arena. With Ulm, I left as a loser here. This win was nice. I understand that since I am leaving, coach doesn´t want to keep building the team after I go. I remember Dru showing me the ropes in UIm and when I came to Trier, he was first guy I met and helped me out. I consider Joyce a good friend”, stressed Dru Joyce. After the tough win Joyce was stretching on the floor and had some time to reflect about EJ Gallup. “I am excited that we got him the win. This was a big win for us and him. I remember my rookie season in Ulm, he helped me out when I came in. I remember him showing me how to drive manual. He really looked out for me”, added Dru Joyce. “We will miss Gallup a lot. He helped us out so much on the court. He is a great guy and I wish him the best of luck”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum.
It had been 46 day and 8 losses since the Fraport Skyliners last won a game and that was only accomplished do to a buzzer beater from Justin Gray which has been simply dubbed the shot and with the overall play of Frankfurt vastly improved over the last games, the team was hoping for a success experience, but were disappointed again as they played a more than solid defensive game, but mustered only 54 points losing their ninth game in a row and entering the deregulation a place they hadn´t seen since the Charles Barton era of 2006. “Big today was that we stayed together as a team from the start until the end, but we had way to many turnovers and didn´t rebound as much or as good than in the past. We have to keep positive, not feel sorry for ourselves and keep fighting”, stressed ex NBA player Jermareo Davidson. For TBB Trier they were riding a three game losing streak and so far in the Henrik Rodel era had never lost more than three games in a row and showed a solid effort for 40 minutes. “We played consistent for 40 minutes, kept our style and didn´t let Frankfurt put us under pressure”, stressed TBB Trier center Maik Zirbes. Lebron James friend Dru Joyce has lost enough games against Frankfurt in his career including two last season as a Dashaun Wood was in control and knows how Frankfurt feels now. “I really feel for Frankfurt. You never want to lose so much. I know many guys in the team and they worked very hard tonight and left it on the floor. I know that when they are healthy, that they have the talent to win many games”, warned Dru Joyce. Jon Leuer friend and teammate Keaton Nankivil was at the game to support him and was in awe of the hard fought game. “I saw two good teams today and they did good things on the court. Frankfurt lost some steam in the second half, but every game is tough and Frankfurt just has to move on to the next game”, stressed ratiopharm Ulm forward Keaton Nankivil.
Review
In the last edition of Hansbrough Watch, I predicted a close game between FC Bayern and ALBA and a Bayern loss by a margin of 7 to 15 points. I also predicted another DNP-CD for Ben Hansbrough. My first prediction wasn’t too far off the mark. Bayern lost by 6, but was in the game right up to the end.
My other prediction, however, was wrong. Hansbrough played for 11 minutes and 9 seconds, his longest in the last nine games. Rejoice!
But what happened? Why did Coach Bauermann decide to throw Ben into the deep end of an extremely high-profile and close-fought game all of a sudden? There are two main reasons:
2. When Bauermann took Hamann out, he called Ben’s number. Jonathan Wallace, Hamann’s regular backup, was busy riding a stationary bike behind the bench. Apparently, he had suffered a minor groin injury in his eight minutes of floor time (in which he looked somewhat overwhelmed at times, turning the ball over on two consecutive possessions against defensive pressure in the backcourt).
The EWE Baskets Oldenburg had a rollercoaster season full of ups and downs in 2010/2011. Most of the new signings could 
not fulfill the expectations and were either replaced throughout the season (Nemanja Protic and Steven Smith) or had to go this summer (Aron Baynes and Lou Campbell).
Only Rickey Paulding and Robin Smeulders remained with the club and coach Krunic had to build a whole new team this summer. It is pretty obvious that the management and Krunic were not in the mood for big experiments. With just two exceptions all rotation players are familiar with the BBL what should minimize the risk of another signing fiasco.
The Thunderbirds could never really fill the gap left by the departure of Jason Gardner. Gardner, a former BBL MVP was one of the main reasons for Oldenburg’s championship in 2009 and retired due to back problems in 2010. I think it must have been Oldenburg’s first priority to find a real quality player for the Point Guard spot.
Elvir Ovcina is a 35 year old 211cm power forward/center that was born in Sarajevo and is playing his second season with the 
LTi Giessen 46ers. He played for Syracuse from 1995-1999 reaching the NCAA final in 1996. After playing in Slovenia for two seasons, he came to Germany and played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg from 2001-2004. In the 2003-2004 season, he played 27 games: 14.9ppg, 9.3rpg, 2.7apg, 2.8bpg. In 2004-2005, he played for Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1): Euroleague: 8 games: 4.3ppg, 5.6rpg; Greek League: 9 games: 5.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 2FGP: 52.0%, in Dec.’04 moved to RheinEnergie Koln (Germany-1.Bundesliga): ULEB Cup: 5 games: 11,2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3Pts: 33.3%; German Bundesliga: 21 games: 10.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6bpg, 2FGP: 49.7%, 3FGP: 20.0%. In 2005-2006, he played for Khimik-OPZ Yuzny (Ukraine-Superleague): EuroCup Challenge: 2 games: 10.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 0ast, FG: 63.6%, 3PT: 50%; Ukrainian League: 8 games: 7.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 66.7%, in Dec.’05 joined Telindus BC Oostende (Belgium-D1): 21 games: 10.7ppg, Reb-4(7.8rpg), 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 55.0%. He then played in Belgium from 2006-2008 for Telindus BC Oostende winning the cup in 2008. In 2008-2009, he played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (D1): Adriatic League: 5 games: 9.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 3.6apg. in 2009-2010, he played for Polzela (Slovenia-Liga UPC): 5 games: 12.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 66.7%, FT: 85.7%, in Jan.’10 moved to LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 14 games: 14.1ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 69.4 Last season for Giessen he played 34 games: 11.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 17.6%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after the stunning 68 -65 win against the Brose Baskets Bamberg.
Congrats on the 68-65 win against Bamberg. Was the Osthalle like a zoo after the siren sounded ending the game?
Yes it was like a zoo. Fans gave us great support for 40 minutes. It was loud for the whole 40 minutes and it is a great victory for Giessen.
Was this your biggest win in Germany?
I don’t know. I have played 6-7 years in Germany and have had some special wins. I know that this win against Bamberg was very special for the LTi Giessen 46ers.
DaShaun Wood is a 26 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his second season in Germany for 
Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. Last season, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 85-79 win against FC Bayern Munich.
Congrats on the 85-79 win in Munich giving the team of Dirk Bauermann their first loss at home. What was the atmosphere like there playing in front of German soccer player Bastian Schweinstieger and everyone else?
Winning in Munich was like a dream for me. It is a great city with great fans, a great coach and many great German national players. The atmosphere was great and it was great competing at a high level and winning the game in their arena.
Michigan beat Ohio State 40-34 today who have the blue and yellow colors as does Alba Berlin. I guess the color of the day was blue and yellow?
I am from Michigan and today was perfect. Michigan and Ohio State are two great rivals and the funny thing is that Ohio State and Bayern Munich both wear the color red.
The biggest successes with TBB Trier are already 13 and 10 years old as they were able to hoist the Beko BBL cup twice in 1998 and 2001, but since then the club has been as far away from consistency and the Beko BBL playoffs as Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are of reconcilatation, as any one could ever imagine Leborn James playing a pick up basketball game at a community college in his home state where they lit his jersey on fire last season after he announced going to the Miami Heat or Charlie Sheen ever will have of returning to Two and a half men after his death on the show. The last time that TBB Trier were able to taste some post season air, The Opel Skyliners were still searching for their first BEKO BBL league championship, Skyliner Justin Gray was still practicing with NBA superstar Chris Paul daily at Wake Forest, Lance Armstrong was about to win an unprecedented six consecutive Tour De France, The Montreal Expos organization was still playing in Canada before moving to play in Washington D.C and Lindsay Lohan was still far away from becoming a usual guest in the tabloids as 2004 was the last time the Mosel river club had reached the promised land as they finished at position seven. In the seven seasons since their last playoff appearance the team has averaged a 12th place finish in those years. “It has been a pity that TBB Trier hasn´t been in the playoffs for a while, but we that budget wise, we don´t belong there. It may sound crazy, but if you look at the budgets of other teams, you can see it like that. We were close last year making the playoffs and it hurt that we didn´t make it. This season we are young so making the playoffs is a big challenge”, stated TBB Trier center Maik Zirbes.
A quick update on Ben Hansbrough’s situation:
During a press conference today, FC Bayern München coach Dirk Bauermann said that there was a clear hierarchy for his PG spot: Hamann, Wallace, Hansbrough. He also said that Ben’s chances for seeing any playing time had not increased. (All my blogging! All the hard work! All the blood, sweat and tears! For nothing! Oh, the humanity!)
So, Ben is third in the PG rotation. Trouble is, SG Je’Kel Foster also sees a few minutes on the PG spot in almost every game. SF Philip Schwethelm also takes the ball upcourt sometimes. So in reality, the PG rotation looks like this:
Hamann
Wallace
Foster
Schwethelm
Hansbrough
And why doesn’t Ben get some burn as a SG, which is the position he is better suited for anyway?
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A look ahead:
Bayern’s next game is at home against ALBA Berlin on Saturday. ALBA is a perennial contender that’s been on a roll lately. Last weekend, they beat Brose Baskets Bamberg, the reigning German champions and cup winners (both back-to-back, in fact) who have been dominating the league for two years. On Tuesday, ALBA easily dispatched Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro) in their second Eurocup game of the season. They seem to be clicking / firing on all cylinders / [add your favorite cliché here].
