TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
@ 
ULM AT ALBA BERLIN!
ratiopharm Ulm @ ALBA Berlin
Saturday March 8, 2008 6:30pm
MaxSchmellinghalle Berlin, Germany
When ratiopharm Ulm upset ALBA Berlin at Sportszentrum Kuhberg back in October, it was the first time in team history Ulm had beaten the German power at home. Upset about that early season upset, ALBA Berlin awaits Saturday nights rematch at historic MaxSchmellinghalle with revenge in mind. Excited about the challenge, ratiopharm Ulm will reach for their best effort against one of the Bundesliga's best teams.
ratiopharm Ulm will reach for their best effort Saturday against German power ALBA Berlin!
Considering Bundesliga history, ALBA Berlin could be viewed like such successful NBA organizations as the LA Lakers or Boston Celtics. Berlin is a perneial winner with long championship tradition and plenty of banners casting shadows down from the rafters of historic MaxSchmellinghalle. A first class organization and Bundesliga power, the teams goal is to return to championship form, something that has eluded them since the Wendell Alexis era ended in 2003. But with a title in mind, ALBA Berlin started this season with a strong 4-1 record. After opening with a tough 78-72 road win at Artland Arena, in a game which helped them start the season positively where last years playoffs ended in disappointment. Next, the Berliners beat the Giessen 46ers 93-54 at home October 10th before topping Gottingen 102-85 on October 16th. However, in the Gottingen game, head coach Luka Pavicevic was given two technical fouls for arguing with officials and kicked out of the game. Fined from the league, the ALBA head coach also served a suspension the next week against Leverkusen. Unexpectedly, ALBA fell in Leverkusen 83-67 October 19th but bounced back with a big 78-59 win over Koln 99ers on October 21st. Ulm upset ALBA Berlin 92-90 October 27th dropping ALBA to 4-2. Motivated by the early season road losses in Leverkusen and Ulm, ALBA reeled off 7 straight wins rising to 11-2. Berlin topped Trier 92-81 October 31st and beat Bremerhaven 70-69 November 11th on an amazing last second layin by Julius Jenkins. ALBA topped Science City Jena 80-64 November 17th before beating Oldenburg 79-65 at Ewe Arena November 24th. digibu Baskets Paderborn gave ALBA all they could handle in an entertaining 93-91 Berlin win December 1st at MaxSchmellinghalle. At 9-2, ALBA went into Nurnberg Arena and hammered reigning German Champs brose Baskets Bamberg 80-60 in a showcase game December 8th. ALBA topped Deutsche Bank Skyliners 74-64 December 13th to improve to 11-2. Just before Christmas, on December 22nd, Telekom Baskets Bonn snapped the ALBA win streak with an 86-76 win at Hardtberghalle in Bonn. Head Coach Luka Pavicevic and his team were battling atop the Bundesliga standings over Christmas break and opened the new year with back to back home wins beating EnBW Ludwigsburg 90-87 January 5th and topping Walter Tigers Tubingen 91-86 January 12th at MaxSchmellinghalle. Berlin won a tight game over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig January 26th taking a 75-72 decision at Volkswagonhalle. At 14-3, ALBA went head to head with Artland Dragons in another Bundesliga showcase game. Just like ALBA went into Artland to open the season with a hardfought road win, this time, Artland went into ALBA and won 76-68 Febuary 3rd. Berlin bounced back with a 77-64 road win Febuary 9th over LTi Giessen and kept rolling with an 89-75 home win over Oldenburg Febuary 13th followed by a 70-66 road victory at Lokhalle over BG74 Gottingen Febuary 16th. Febuary 23rd, Bayer Leverkusen edged ALBA with a 93-90 comeback win and last weekend ALBA went into Rheinenergie Dome to emerge with an 80-78 in the classic Bundesliga duel against the Koln 99ers. Saturday night, ALBA Berlin takes the MaxSchmellinghalle floor with an 18-5 record even with Leverkusen (18-5) and just behind Artland (18-4). Certainly, fans should also count on a reloaded Brose Baskets Bamberg team to be in the Bundelsiga title talk. For ALBA Berlin, their sights are set on raising another banner to hallowed heights in historic MaxSchmellinghalle. The chase for a championship and chance to avenge their early season road loss in Ulm will be all the motivation Head Coach Luka Pavicevic and his Berlin team need.
Not only has Berlins season been terrific in the Bundesliga, the Albatross have enjoyed a quality run in the ULEB Cup. Competing in Group A, ALBA earned a competitve 4-6 record against tough competition of DKV Joventut (9-1), Turk Telekom (9-1), KK Bosna (4-6), Siauliai (4-6) and UK's Guildford Heat. An excellent representative for Bundesliga Basketball in Europe, ALBA Berlin is well known for winning basketball.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki attacks the basket as ALBA's Dijon Thompson (21) and Patrick Femerling (right) defend. Wysocki buried the game sealing three helping Ulm upset ALBA earlier this season.
Ulm's amazing 92-90 upset win over ALBA Berlin at Sportszentrum Kuhberg earlier this season was the first time in team history the German power fell in Ulm. An outstanding team performance led to a memorable win for the Ulm organization and helped to spark early season success. However, the upset win in Ulm also means ALBA Berlin will be motivated and focused for revenge in the rematch.
Click here for complete Ulm v ALBA Game Summary 10-27-07
Last season, ratiopharm Ulm dropped two decisions to ALBA Berlin, losing 88-67 Saturday October 7, 2006 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg and falling 73-64 at Max Schmellinghalle in Berlin Febuary 4th, 2007.
Click here for complete Ulm @ ALBA Flashback
Click here for complete Ulm vs ALBA Flashback
After completing 2006-2007 with a 28-6 first place finish, Berlin was swept in the first round of the playoffs by last seasons cinderella Artland squad. ALBA won 7 straight Bundesliga Titles from 1997 through 2003 in the fantastic Wendell Alexis Era. Although the team has maintained their high level of success, their trophy cabinet remains the same but they do hope there is much room for more hardware this year. As the season enters March, ALBA is moving in the right direction to challenge for another championship.
Jeff Gibbs powers his way into the paint against Bamberg and will face a big, talented and deep front line in Berlin!
ALBA Head Coach Luka Pavicevic has built a top caliber team in his first season with Berlin. All star game MVP Julius Jenkins is their go-to guy averaging 18.2ppg 2.7reb 2.7ast on 44% three point shooting. A tremendous scorer with great quickness and shooting touch, Jenkins has been a fantastic story seeing his career rise from Nurnberg in the 2.Bundesliga South to elite levels in Europe. Backcourt partner and fellow All Star, point guard Bobby Brown (14.9ppg 2.9reb 3.6ast 34% from three) also is a terrific playmaker with excellent ballskills and creative ability. Brown has enjoyed some outstanding games in the second half of the season and his play is a key for the Berlin team. Small forward Dijon Thompson (11.8ppg 7.2reb 2.2ast 36% from three) is a versatile scorer with a smooth game. Post player Patrick Femerling, the 7 foot German National team center, produces 11.5ppg 5.2reb earning all star recognition earlier this winter. At the four spot, Goran Nikolic (9.8ppg 4.7reb 56% three) is a dead-eye shooter who stretches defenses with precision. Nikolic made several big baskets down the stretch against Ulm earlier this season. Key players from the ALBA Berlin bench include Dragan Dojcin (5.8ppg 3.2reb 35% three) who has overcome early season injury to contribute as an intelligent player on the floor, Mladin Pantic (3.2ppg 1.5reb) who adds a physical toughness to the team in the paint as a backup post, and Aleksandar Rasic (4.7ppg 44% three) who is a talented young guard providing quality depth from the bench. Young talents Philip Zwiener and injured prospects Nicolai Simon and Oskar Fassler are stars of the future. German National team guard Johannes Herbert is currently working through rehabilitation of his knee injury and is on track for a return by the pre-Olympic qualification tournament this summer. Recently, with the financial turmoil in Koln, topstars Immanuel McElroy (5.6ppg 4reb 1.8ast) and Aleksander Nadjfeji (currently injured), migrated from the 99ers to Berlin. Their addition loads up the ALBA roster with fantastic depth, talent level and experience. Without question, Berlin has their sights set on a Bundesliga championship and the Albatross will be a major player in the upcoming postseason.
Ulm rookie point guard Dru Joyce drops a dime against ALBA's Bobby Brown at Sportszentrum Kuhberg earlier this season. Saturday night, Joyce and Brown will battle at MaxSchmellinghalle in Berlin!
For ratiopharm Ulm, one similarity exists from their early season upset of ALBA --- captain Emeka Erege will miss the game due to injury. After suffering a severe ankle sprain late in the preseason, Emeka missed the first part of the year recovering. Upon his comeback against Giessen in mid-October, the Ulm captain pulled a muscle forcing him to miss the ALBA Berlin game along with the next month. When Erege returned, Ulm went on their 5 game win streak. Unfortunately, after Christmas, injury struck Ulm again as Kyle Bailey fractured his thumb forcing him to miss a month. Now, only days after Kyle Bailey left the Ulm team for personal reasons, the Ulm captain suffered a knee injury which will sideline him for 4-6 weeks in a halftime buzzer collision under the basket in Bamberg. Without both Kyle Bailey and Captain Emeka Erege, rookies Dru Joyce and Sebastian Betz will be counted upon to step up. The Akron native, Joyce, stepped into the Ulm starting five earlier this year when Bailey broke his thumb and made his mark on the team. While Dru will take over as starting point, Basti Betz will be called upon to provide depth at the wing and defensive effort given to the team from Captain Erege. The adversity of a current losing streak has not doused the teams enthusiasm or togetherness but the squad continues to work tirelessly to earn their 10th win. Certainly after Wednesday's shootout at JAKO Arena, Ulm is ready for the next high level challenge against a Bundesliga title contender on the road.
ALBA Berlin's Head Coach Luka Pavicevic has a championship in his sights to cap his first season in Berlin.
Without Bailey and Erege, ratiopharm Ulm must deal with a shortened active roster against ALBA, but the team takes confidence in their complete front court which has been the strength of the squad throughout the season. All Stars Jeff Gibbs and Konrad Wysock lead the Ulm attack with help from Bryan Lucas, Sean Finn and Florian Mobius. Relying on their big men for big games, Ulm can also count on sharpshooter EJ Gallup to provide an offensive spark. Hopefully for Ulm, the rookie backcourt players in Joyce and Betz will rise to the challenge in Berlin.
Ulm rookie Sebastian Betz looks to capitalize on opportunity to replace injured captain Emeka Erege in the rotation
The rematch from Ulm's early season upset is not the only aspect making Saturdays game interesting. ratiopharm Ulm will travel to MaxSchmellinghalle next Wednesday as the two teams clash in a David v Goliath matchup in the Elite 8 of the German Cup. Tip off for the Cup game is set for 7:30pm Wednesday March 19th. Certainly, the two teams will be well acquainted by then.
!
Saturday night at the Mecca of German Basketball, in the shadow of Berlin's championship banners, ratiopharm Ulm looks to achieve the improbable at MaxSchmellinghalle--- upsetting ALBA Berlin two times in one season. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
ANOTHER INJURY FOR EMEKA!
ratiopharm Ulm captain Emeka Erege suffered another injury making his season officially....injury riddled. After dealing with a severe ankle sprain and a pulled leg muscle, Erege slightly ruptured a tendon in his knee and will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Ulm hopes their leader can return to full strength and get back into the lineup before the season ends.
BUNDESLIGA BEST!
ratiopharm Ulm meets one of the elite teams in the Bundesliga Saturday as ALBA Berlin visits Sportszentrum Kuhberg. ALBA won the German Championship 7 straight seasons from 1997 through 2003, captured the German Cup 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003 and even won the Korac Cup in 1995.
www.bbl.tv
basketball fans all over the world can watch Bundesliga basketball live online with www.sportdigital.tv and BBL.TV .
FROM NURNBERG TO BERLIN!
Ulm's opponent ALBA Berlin features one of the top guards in the Bundesliga in Julius Jenkins. Ulm fans will remember Jenkins from his time excelling with Nurnberg in the 2.Bundesliga South. After joining the team midway through the 2003-2004 season, Jenkins was the MVP of the 2.Bundesliga South in 2004-2005 leading Nurnberg to the title and Aufsteig. Moving on to Bree in Belgium, Julius joined ALBA Berlin last season in 2006-2007 and is now one of the most electrifying scorers in the Bundesliga.
ALL STARS ON THE FLOOR !!
Saturday night at MaxSchmellinghalle, when Ulm visits ALBA Berlin, plenty of Bundesliga all stars will be on the floor. From Ulm, forwards Jeff Gibbs and Konrad Wysocki represented the South all star team back in January at Mannheim. Meanwhile, ALBA's Julius Jenkins, Bobby Brown and Patrick Femerling played for the North team which was coached by ALBA boss Luka Pavicevic. Jenkins won the All Star game MVP award while EJ Gallup took home the 3pt title. Injured Berlin forward Aleksandar Nadjfeji represented Koln 99ers in the game before moving to ALBA almost one month ago. Certainly, fans will have plenty of outstanding players to watch when the two teams meet Saturday night.
FORMER TEAMMATES!
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Giessen's Nicolai Simon played together for 2.Bundesliga South squad Ehingen.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain back on IR with knee injury
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star ready for challenge with top Berlin big men
Bryan Lucas: strong play last 2 games from Ulm bench!
Konrad Wysocki: continues fantastic individual season with Ulm!
Dru Joyce: back in starting lineup ready for big Berlin challenge
Florian Mobius: reliable post sub adds depth to Ulm frontcourt!
EJ Gallup: provides perimeter threat for Ulm offense!
Sean Finn: starting 3rd straight game for Ulm
Sebastian Betz: young wing enters rotation replacing injured Erege
Jan Sprunken: ready for minutes from Ulm bench
Kyle Bailey: remains away from team
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Berlin, Germany
Main Sponsor: ALBA
Home Court: Max Schmelling Arena
website: www.albaberlin.de
2006-2007: 28-6 1st place
Playoffs: lost to Artland 3-0 in 1st Round
ULEB Cup: 4th place (4-6) in Group C, lost to Real Madrid (ESP) in the 1/8 Finals
Offense: In the mold of legendary head coach Svetislav Pesic, ALBA management handpicked Luka Pavicevic to replace Henrik Rodl this offseason. Certainly Pesic will bring a new style to ALBA who finished first last regular season but exited from the playoffs early. A roster change followed and only a few players return from last seasons rotation. Jullius Jenkins will be a go to scoring guard and Joe Herbert took the next step this summer with the German national team. German National team C Patrick Femerling also returns to the Bundesliga in the ALBA frontcourt. Top American big men Michael Bradley (former 76ers C) and DiJon Thompson will be counted on as impact players. Unfortunately, top PG Goran Jeterin injured his knee in the preseason ending his year early.
Defense: One of the best defensive teams year in and year out, ALBA features excellent size this season with 7 foot big men Michael Bradley and Patrick Femerling. Expect ALBA to continue with their tradition of outstanding team defense and remain a title contender this season.
GM: Robert Mayer / Henning Harnisch / Carsten Rühl
Head Coach: Luka Pavicevic
Players:
Goran Jeterin: injured knee in preseason/not on roster
Julius Jenkins: scoring combo G all star game MVP
Joe Herbert: rehabbing knee injury
DiJon Thompson: super skilled forward/smooth and talented
Immanuel McElroy: relentless wing a steal from Koln
Aleksandar Nadjfeji: all star F picked up from Koln (injured)
Dragan Dojcin: talented 4 man from Panionios Athen
Bobby Brown: all star PG a prime time player for ALBA
Mladin Pantic: physical backup big man/strong in lane
Goran Nikolic: another excellent 4 from Madrid
Patrick Femerling: German National team C
Aleksandar Rasic: talented young guard from bench
Oskar Fasler: young player injured in preseason
Nicolai Simon: young PG joins ALBA from Ehingen
Yannick Evans: returns to ALBA after stint away
