Ulm before the next BBL duel: This is the status of Ty Harrelson's team

ratiopharm ulm enters the next phase of the BBL season as fifth in the standings. The starting position is stable, but recent results show that the team must continue to deliver in the season's final stretch to maintain its position in the upper half of the table.

The situation before Würzburg

After 32 games, Ulm stands at 36 points and a record of 18 wins and 14 losses, ranking fifth in the easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. On May 2, the away game at Fitness First Würzburg Baskets follows, and then on May 10, the match at the SKYLINERS is scheduled. Both games will be broadcast by DYN.

Especially with regard to the standings, these dates are more than just mandatory tasks: In a tight table, every win counts double—not only for the ranking but also for the feeling with which you enter the decisive phase of the season.

What remains striking is the clear dividing line between home and away performance. In the ratiopharm arena, Ulm achieved 12 wins and 5 losses; away, there are 6 wins and 9 losses. The game in Würzburg is therefore also a benchmark: If the team manages to reliably implement its quality "on foreign courts," the chance to solidify the good starting position increases.

Ulm has been playing in the BBL since 2006 and hosts its home games in the ratiopharm arena Ulm (capacity: 6000). The greatest successes include the German championship in 2023 as well as several runner-up finishes (1998, 2012, 2016, and 2025) and the cup victory in 1996.

What the recent results reveal about Ulm

The last few days have underlined the volatility of the current Ulm phase: On April 19, the team won away at the ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES 75:68, on April 22 followed a 77:89 home defeat against ALBA BERLIN, before an 81:72 home win against the Veolia Towers Hamburg on April 25.

In the past ten games, Ulm suffered five defeats. That is not a collapse, but a signal: Ulm is operating in an area where small things decide—and where it is difficult to win games "on autopilot."

The distribution of offensive load also fits this picture. Against ALBA, Mark Smith was Ulm's top scorer, in Rostock Christopher Ledlum made his mark. In the win against Hamburg, Devon Daniels IV was the top scorer for the Towers. Ulm can score from several directions—but must translate these options into results more consistently, especially away from home.

Why the statistics support the league position

The team numbers explain why Ulm remains in the upper field despite fluctuations. On average, the team scores 82.2 points per game, opponents 78.2. There are also slight advantages in rebounds (38.9 to 37.8) and assists (17.9 to 16). Ulm is also slightly ahead in shooting efficiency: 43.5 percent field goal percentage compared to 42.8 percent for opponents.

These values indicate a team that has a small but measurable advantage in several core areas—exactly what often makes the difference between midfield and top spots in a balanced league. At the same time, they show how narrow the margin is: Ulm does not win through dominance in a single category, but through the overall package. As soon as one pillar wobbles—such as offensive efficiency or control on the boards—a game can tip quickly.

This is also underlined by the home/away split in production: Of a total of 2630 baskets, 1420 were made at home. For the game in Würzburg, this means: Ulm needs its structure and balance even without home advantage—otherwise, the statistical lead that supports the league position becomes too small in practice.

Squad structure: young, broad—and thus not always predictable

The squad includes 20 players, with an average age of 23.6 years. The roster consists of 9 guards, 8 forwards, and 3 centers; 9 players have German nationality, 11 others come from 8 different nations. Head coach is Ty Harrelson, and the coaching staff also includes Tyron McCoy.

For the upcoming phase of the season, this is a double-edged starting position: Depth helps distribute the workload and play different matchups. At the same time, a young team can have stronger fluctuations in tight weeks—both upwards and downwards. Ulm has the numbers to stay at the top. Whether this will ultimately translate into the right position depends on how reliably the team confirms this foundation in away games like in Würzburg.