TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM VISITS BONN SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Telekom Bonn
Saturday January 26, 2008 7:30pm
Hardtberghalle Bonn, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm returns to Bundesliga basketball action Saturday night with a challenging road trip to rowdy Hardtberghalle where they meet Telekom Baskets Bonn for a 7:30pm tip on Game Day 17. Rising to third place in the Bundesliga standings, Bonn has won five straight games and feature a talented roster with excellent teamwork. Facing one of their most demanding road trips of the season, Ulm is excited to get back to action and aim to rise to the challenge!
ratiopharm Ulm's EJ Gallup and his teammates take aim on Telekom Bonn Saturday night at Hardtberghalle in Bonn.
With All Star Day in the history books, Bundesliga Game Day 17 tips off as teams get back to action all over Germany. Ulm's road trip to Bonn stands as a big challenge against a top team as ratiopharm Ulm aims to eliminate memories of their struggles in Hardtberghalle last season. After returning to practice Monday, Ulm's preparations have progressed well. Although point guard Kyle Bailey remains inactive rehabbing his injured thumb, the Fairbanks Alaska native is closer and closer to a comeback which could be only weeks away. All Star forward Konrad Wysocki discovered a bone chip in his lower leg this week forcing him to miss several days of practice, but he has been playing through pain for the last month and is expected to continue to tough it out for his team. Despite the adversity from these bumps and bruises, the Ulm train rolls on and the team is excited about the challenges of the second half of the season starting with Saturday night in Bonn!
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs powers to the basket past Bonn big man Bernd Kruel in last seasons meeting in Bonn.
At the helm in Bonn is head coach Michael Koch a legendary player who has made the transition to successful coach. In the Koch family basketball is extremely important as both Michael and his brother Stephan (currently a BBL.TV commentator) have enjoyed success on the Bundesliga coaching sidelines. A terrific embassador for German basketball, Michael Koch and his Bonn teams are fun to watch and the fans following in Bonn is among the Bundesliga's best. Certainly the combination of talent on court and energy in Hardtberghalle make Bonn an extremely challenging place to play!
ratiopharm Ulm's Kyle Bailey continues to make progress rehabilitating his injured thumb.
Last season, Telekom Bonn won the initial meeting between the two teams 87-75 at Hardtberghalle November 17th. In the second meeting, March 31st at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm topped Bonn 80-68 in a hotly contested game. With both teams protecting home court, this seasons matchups shape up to be very intense. Click the links below for Game Summaries from recent Ulm v Bonn rivalry games:
2006-2007 March 31st Game Summary
2006-2007 November 17th Game Summary
In the past Bonn has been a strong Bundesliga organization and routinely makes appearances in the post season. For the last two seasons, Bonn has battled Bamberg nose to nose in what has developed into a fantastic, heated rivalry. And the future looks to be more than bright in Bonn as well. Ground has been broken on the new Telekom Dome, the new homecourt of Bonn basketball in seasons to come. Certainly the exciting future ahead provides momentum and energy for this seasons Bonn team and fans!
ratiopharm Ulm's All Star Konrad Wysocki looks forward to the challenges in the second half of the season!
2007-2008 has been an excellent season for Bonn. Entering Saturday nights game against Ulm with an 11-5 record, Bonn currently sits in third place in the Bundesliga standings. The season started with a bang as Bonn opened up 2-0 beating Eisbaren Bremerhaven 77-67 October 6th in Bonn before topping Science City Jena 80-62 October 11th in Jena. Oldenburg beat Bonn 74-69 in a tough game October 14th in Bonn before Michael Koch and his team bounced back to beat Paderborn 77-72 October 19th in Paderborn. Bonn dropped their next two games at home to German Champion brose Baskets Bamberg 70-55 October 21st and away at Frankfurt 76-65 to Deutsche Bank Skyliners October 28th to close the first month of action at 3-3. Bonn captured 3 of their next 4 games beating Bayer Leverkusen 81-68 November 4th and Walter Tigers Tubingen 71-62 in Tubingen November 10th before losing to NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 73-63 November 18th and topping EnBW Ludwigsburg 87-81 November 23rd. After a December 1st loss to Artland Dragons 77-73, Bonn has gone unbeaten over their last five games beating Giessen 91-71 December 8th, winning in Gottingen 79-75 December 16th, topping ALBA Berlin 86-76 December 22nd, edging Trier in Trier 66-64 January 5th and besting Koln 77-60 last Saturday in Koln January 12th. Without question, Bonn is a top Bundesliga team and their season to date has reinforced their excellent tradition.
Ulm's Emeka Erege provides strength, stability and leadership.
This season, Telekom Bonn features a talented and athletic lineup with several eye-catching players. All Star Jason Conley (12.8ppg 6.9reb 32min) keys the attack from his wing position and the former University of Missouri Tiger has made his mark as a franchise player for Bonn. Nursing an injury, Conley missed last weekends all star game in Mannheim, but is expected to be in the lineup for Saturdays meeting against Ulm. Replacing Conley at the All Star game was another Bonn player deserving of All Star status --- forward Ronnie Burrell (13.8ppg 5reb) adds athleticism, length and excellent transition play to the Bonn team. While Conley and Burrell provide the highlight plays, hardworking John Bowler powers his way through the paint and does the dirty work for Head Coach Michael Koch. The former Eastern Michigan big man, Bowler averages 10.6ppg 5.9reb and has extended his perimeter shooting range to beyond the three point arc where he was a perfect three for three from distance in last weekends win over Koln. The Bonn backcourt opened the season with four quality players including starters Winsome Frazier (12.7ppg 4.3reb 24%three) and Miah Davis (7.1ppg 2.7reb 2.3ast). Missing the last 5 games due to injury, Frazier is a one on one wizz and uses his lightning quick skills to create in the halfcourt and in transition. Davis is a solid, intelligent team oriented point guard in his first season with Bonn after a solid start to his career in France. The former Pacific Tiger is an excellent defender and distributes well. A big key for Bonn has been the backcourt play from German guards JJ Strasser (7.4ppg 2.2reb 42% threes) and Artur Kolodziejski (5.4ppg 42%threes). Strasser is a hardworking floor general who adds excellent perimeter accuracy in his first season in Bonn after playing in Koln. Meanwhile, the former Ulm guard Kolodziejski is an excellent defender and has been a terrific threat from three this season. Fans will remember last years meeting in November when Artur buried four threes to help his Bonn squad to the 87-75 win over Ulm. Also providing depth for Bonn is athletic wing Moussa Diagne who has started games in place of the injured Conley recently. An explosive shotblocker and good athlete, the Senegal native has scored 3.9ppg with 2.3reb this season. On the block, veteran Bernd Kruel (4.3ppg 1.5reb) provides crafty veteran skills and a soft shooting touch along with tough team defense. A sleeper for Bonn in the second half of the season could be talented Patrick Flomo who is recovering from a serious knee injury that occurred last season. Flomo has appeared in three games this season and continues to regain his ultra-athletic form. Combined, the Bonn team plays unselfish, team oriented basketball and have demonstrated playoff potential in their rise to third in the standings with their current five game winning streak. Certainly, this seasons performance and the excitement from the groundbreaking of their new gym add up to terrific momentum for the Telekom baskets Bonn!
ratiopharm Ulm is excited to return to action Saturday night in Bonn!
Saturday night should provide ratiopharm Ulm with one of their most demanding tests of the season as they travel to Bonn to meet a talented, prepared, deep team on a roll. As the intense basketball action picks up, Ulm aims to rise to the challenge. 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 CONNECTIONS
As Ulm and Bonn tip off, several friendly faces will be on opposing sides Saturday. First, Artur Kolodziejski played for current Ulm assistant coach Rainer Bauer and along side current Ulm forward Florian Mobius in the 2001-2002 2.Bundesliga South season. In addition, Artur and teammate JJ Strasser are close friends with Ulm's Jan Sprunken. Meanwhile, Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs and Bonn big man Patrick Flomo hail from the same hometown of Columbus Ohio and often cross paths in summer leagues while at home.
WE HAVE MET
I 2002-2003 ratiopharm Ulm traveled to the USA on a college tour in late November meeting teams like UCSB, Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Pepperdine and Arizona State. During this trip, Pacific topped Ulm in an entertaining game. Starting PG for Pacific? Bonn's current PG Miah Davis.
ALL STAR BREAK!
While Ulm's Konrad Wysocki, Jeff Gibbs and Head Coach Mike Taylor took part in the All Star Day events in Mannheim Germany last weekend, the rest of the Ulm roster also made their three day break count. Once again Ulm players demonstrated their cool character. Emeka Erege spent his time in London visiting friends, Florian Mobius went to Paris with his girlfriend, Dru Joyce visited former Akron teammate Derrick Tarver in Cyprus, Jan Sprunken soaked up the sun on the beaches of Portugal and Sean Finn, his brother Kyle and Kyle Bailey explored Amsterdam. The time away provided the players with a mental break as well as physical rest.
EMEKA'S BUZZER BEATER ON YOUTUBE! Basketball fans from all over the world can re-live the magic of Emeka Erege's amazing halfcourt buzzer beating game winner from Oldenburg Sunday on YOUTUBE. Go to www.youtube.com and search "BBL 2007/08: Ulm - Oldenburg Buzzerbeater"
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain leading by example for his team!!
Kyle Bailey: still sidelined but making progress
Jeff Gibbs: 11pt in all star game/leads league in rebounding!
Bryan Lucas: enjoying excellent season as Ulms post man
Konrad Wysocki: has been playing with bone chip in his lower leg
Dru Joyce: has been outstanding filling in with Bailey injury!
Florian Mobius: key post sub looks to continue in 2008!
EJ Gallup: Ulm 3pt shooting Champion from All Star Day!
Sean Finn: Ulm big man key for battle on the boards
Sebastian Betz: key sub for Ulm perimeter depth
Jan Sprunken: veteran presence helps with injuries and adversity!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Bonn, Germany
Main Sponsor: Telekom
Home Court: Hardtberghalle
website: www.telekom-baskets-bonn.de
2006-2007: 21-13 6th place
PLAYOFFS: lost 3-2 to Bamberg in 1st Round
Offense: Despite losing outstanding PG Jason Gardner to Oldenburg this offseason, Telekom Bonn has reloaded their team and looked sharp in the preseason. Experienced players return all over the lineup including hardworking F John Bowler and excellent scoring wing Jason Conley. New wing Winsome Frazier is lightning quick and will prove to be a strong addition and steady PG Miah Davis will run the team. Athletic F Ronnie Burrell (new from Koln) and Moussa Diagne provide talent and depth to the frontcourt. Veterans JJ Strasser and Artur Kolodziejski are fan favorites and terrific team players. Patrick Flomo opens the season on the injured list as he recovers from a knee injury last year. Veteran big man Bernd Kruel is another big man to throw into the mix. With a fundamental offense and a knack for creating offense from defense, look for Bonn to once again finish as a playoff team.
Defense: Although they play most games in Pink uniforms, Bonn plays a tough brand of man to man defensive basketball. Head coach Michael Koch has a good feeling for changing defenses and gets the most out of the teams defensive effort on a nightly basis. Hardworking team defenders like Kolodziejski symbolize the tough mindset of the Bonn team. The teams athletic frontcourt also features depth which allows them to be extra aggressive. Fans should consider Bonn as fundamentally one of the best defensive teams in the Bundesliga.
GM:
Head Coach: Michael Koch
Players:
Miah Davis: steady PG joins Bonn from France
Winsome Frazier: lightning quick one on one scoring wing
Jason Conley: Missouri Tiger back for 3rd yr in Bonn
Bernd Kruel: veteran big man
Artur Kolodziejski: captain/team player/excellent on D
Ronnie Burrell: another super athlete/combo forward
Johannes Strasser: backup PG/hardnosed and skilled
John Bowler: physical and hardnosed/ underrated/ worker
Patrick Flomo: ultra athletic F/ shotblocker and rebounder
Moussa Diagne: athletic 6'8 F from Senegal
