TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BONN - VOYAGE!
ULM VISITS TELEKOM BASKETS BONN SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Telekom Baskets Bonn
Saturday November 8, 2008 730pm
Telekom Dome Bonn, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm travels to the former West German Capital city of Bonn making their first visit to the beautiful brand new Telekom Dome for an exciting matchup against Telekom Baskets Bonn 7:30pm Saturday night. Bonn caught fire in last seasons Bundesliga playoffs upsetting the Artland Dragons in the quarterfinals 3 games to 1 and beating the Deutsche Bank Skyliners 3 games to 2 in the semifinals before falling to ALBA Berlin in the Bundesliga Finals. Head Coach Michael Koch has put together another outstanding basketball team and Telekom Baskets Bonn once again look to be among the Bundesliga's best teams. Both Ulm and Bonn bring 5-3 records into Saturday nights contest and both teams are hungry for their next big win.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs has his sights on a great game against Telekom Baskets Bonn.
Over the last several seasons, Ulm and Bonn have split 4 games with each team winning twice at home. Both Ulm and Bonn enjoy rich basketball traditions and the two teams have played some entertaining and competitive games against each other over the last two years. Bonn has made the playoffs in both seasons highlighted by last years terrific post-season run. Head Coach Michael Koch and his team, well-known for their unique pink uniforms representing main sponsor Telekom, are always among the most talented and athletic in the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn has been in top form over the teams recent games!
Bonn's 2008-2009 roster is loaded with excellent players. The most impressive newcomer is talented scoring forward Brandon Bowman who is currently producing 16.5ppg 6reb 52% (11 for 21) from three. A perimeter skilled forward, the former Georgetown Hoya, Bowman is one of the Bundesliga's best new faces and can score in a variety of ways. Also new to Bonn, point guard EJ Rowland joins the Telekom team after a successful season as a backup PG in Artland. Rowland has scored 13.3ppg with 3.5reb and 4.5ast while shooting 37% from three in his 8 games with Bonn. After playing well in the backup role with Artland, Rowland has stepped up his game stepping into the Bonn starting lineup. Lightning quick scoring guard Winsome Frazier also has elevated his game from last season. The former Mississippi State guard is scoring 15.8ppg while shooting 50% from three point land this season. The three players Bowman, Rowland and Frazier make Bonn one of the best scoring teams in the Bundesliga. But Bonn's attack is not without more talented weapons. Former Denver Nugget and Tennesee Volunteer Vincent Yarborough has joined Bonn and produced 5.3ppg with 4.3reb with his third Bundesliga team. After winning a Bundesliga championship with Bamberg and playing last season with Ludwigsburg, Yarborough continues to make his mark in the league with Bonn. Former Miami Heat big man and Ohio State center Ken Johnson also has made his presence felt as Bonn's new starting center. Johnson averages 8.4ppg with 3.9reb since moving to Bonn after his last season in Frankfurt. Underrated and talented forwards Moussa Diagne (6.1ppg) and Patrick Flomo add quality, depth and athleticism to the Bonn frontcourt. Rookie big man Tim Clifford has helped to offset the injured John Bowler in the paint. Hardworking German players also play key roles. JJ Strasser (4.4ppg 50%threes), Artur Kolodziejski (2.8ppg 37%threes) and Alex King (3ppg) bring alot to the Bonn team. Strasser is an excellent perimeter shooting point guard with experience. Kolodziejski, a former Ulm player, is the Bonn captain providing excellent defense and three point shooting. King, a young and talented forward, adds an athletic wing with versatility after joining Bonn following several seasons in Frankfurt. Overall, Telekom Baskets Bonn are one of the most talented and athletic teams in the Bundesliga and provide their fans with exciting basketball.
Ulm's Lee Humphrey has made 8 three point shots in his last three games.
This season, Bonn opened with back to back big wins beating Deutsche Bank Skyliners 81-66 Sunday September 21st before topping Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 65-62 Saturday September 27th in a first-class early season matchup. In the Bundesliga Finals rematch between ALBA Berlin and Telekom Baskets Bonn, ALBA edged Bonn 91-84 at O2 World October 5th. Tied at 73, a controversial intentional foul call against Bonn helped ALBA key the early season home win. Bonn went on to lose their next two games 77-71 at home to Artland Dragons October 11th and at the buzzer in Giessen 70-67 October 18th. Brandon Bowman's buzzer-beater helped Bonn beat Tubingen the next game, a 75-74 road win in Tubingen October 24th. Two days later on October 26th, Bonn returned home to beat Koln 90-72 and last weekend Bonn won their third straight game beating Eisbaren Bremerhaven 86-79 Sunday November 2nd in Bremerhaven. At 5-3, the Bonn team has bounced back from their early season 3 game losing streak to win three straight games.
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz enjoyed three excellent performances last weekend.
Last season, ratiopharm Ulm and Telekom Baskets Bonn split two meetings with each team protecting their home court. May 10th, 2008, Ulm celebrated the final game of the 2007-2008 Bundesliga season by earning an exciting 93-83 home win over Telekom Baskets Bonn before a sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
click here for complete Ulm vs Bonn May 10th, 2008 Game Summary!
Earlier last year, ratiopharm Ulm dropped a tight 82-77 decision January 26th 2008 at Hardtberghalle in Bonn. Playing for the first time since returning from the Bundesliga All Star break, Ulm played without PG Kyle Bailey who was rehabilitating a broken thumb. When Dru Joyce received his second unsportsmanlike foul of the game in a second half scuffle with Bonn's Ronnie Burrell, Ulm struggled down the stretch playing without a true point guard as the hot Bonn team extended their winning streak with the victory. Ulm's strong effort fell short keeping them 0-2 at Bonn's Hardtberghalle since returning to the Bundesliga last season.
click here for link for photos from Christian Schumacher at www.american-sports.info
January 26, 2008 Ulm @ Bonn Game Summary
In the 2006-2007 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. Click the links below for Game Summaries from recent Ulm v Bonn games:
2006-2007 March 31st Game Summary
2006-2007 November 17th Game Summary
For ratiopharm Ulm, the exciting 2008-2009 season rolls on with the next challenging opponent in Bonn. With momentum from their strong start to the new season and last weeks 3 games in 5 days stretch, Ulm has been fortunate to have tremendous production from several areas. All Star Power forward Jeff Gibbs has been in terrific form all season long as the go-to-guy for Ulm and his performance in the face of opposing game plans has been impressive. Recently, center Sean Finn has also been in top form reaching 70% from the floor for the season and developing into a go-to scorer in the post. Point guard Dru Joyce enjoyed his finest performance of the season in the German Cup win over Bayern Munich Tuesday night, a terrific sign he is finally getting healthy after early season ankle injuries slowed the Ulm floor general. Ulm's bench has been outstanding in recent games as well with Sebastian Betz giving the Ulm attack a big boost along with excellent rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald. At 5-3, Ulm has played the majority of the season with a shorthanded lineup as Dru Joyce missed the first two games with his ankle injuries and most recently, Ulm defensive stopper Keith Triplett has been sidelined for the last three contests with an infected arm. Triplett will once again be out for the big matchup in Bonn but Ulm is expecting Keith's return to action in the near future. Fortunately, the Ulm bench has responded to the challenge and provided outstanding production.
Ulm forward Romeo Travis was rested in the teams German Cup win in Munich on Tuesday and is expected to be at full strength for Saturday nights action in Bonn.
With confidence in their teamwork and early season big wins, Ulm travels to Bonn for their first game in the beautiful new Telekom Dome. Tipping off the next challenging game against the talented Telekom Baskets Bonn team which raced all the way to the Bundesliga finals last season, ratiopharm Ulm looks to raise their level of play after a successful 3 game stretch last weekend. Shorthanded once again without defensive-ace Keith Triplett, Ulm will rely on a strong team effort as they chase their first win in Bonn since returning to the Bundesliga in 2006-2007.
ratiopharm Ulm is pointed in the right direction and ready for the exciting Bundesliga challenges!
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
TELEKOM DOME
Telekom Baskets Bonn are playing in their beautiful new home, the Telekom Dome. The Bonn website features a WEBCAM at the following link http://www.telekom-baskets-bonn.de/index_baskets.htm
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 in the 2001-2002 2.Bundesliga South season. In addition, 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.
NBA EXPERIENCE
Bonn forward Vincent Yarbrough and center Ken Johnson bring NBA experience to their team after Yarbrough spent time with the Denver Nuggets and Johnson played with the Miami Heat.
ROMEO IS READY!
Talented Ulm forward Romeo Travis will be ready for Saturday nights early season showdown in Bonn after resting his knee in the German Cup win Tuesday night in Munich. Playing only 9 minutes in the win, Travis rested his knee which was bumped hard in the Giessen win last friday. With tremendous heart, Travis played through the pain in the ALBA Berlin game Sunday before Ulm medical staff recommended he rest mid-week to be ready for Bonn.
KEITH TRIPLETT'S ARM INFECTION
Keith Triplett will miss the Bonn game as he waits for his arm infection to clear up. Ulm's top defensive player has been missed over the teams last three games and is expected to return to action for the Koln game November 15th.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain played solid minutes in Munich Cup win!
Romeo Travis: versatile forward rested his knee and will be ready!
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm go-to Guy ready for challenge in Bonn!
Keith Triplett : defensive stopper will miss Bonn game
Lee Humphrey: three point sharpshooter has sank 8 3's in last 3 games
Dru Joyce: floor general enjoyed best game of season in Munich Cup win
Per Gunther: talented young PG looks forward to challenge in Bonn
Dan Fitzgerald: outstanding games with clutch shots in recent stretch!
Sean Finn: establishing himself as a go-to post scorer!
Sebastian Betz: terrific three games with excellent production
Michael Schroeder: physical inside presence ready to bang on the block!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Bonn, Germany
Main Sponsor: Telekom
Home Court: Telekom Dome
website: www.telekom-baskets-bonn.de
2007-2008: 21-13 7th place
PLAYOFFS: lost ALBA Berlin 3-1 in Bundesliga Finals; beat Frankfurt 3-2 in Bundesliga Semifinals; Beat Artland 3-1 in Bundesliga quarterfinals.
Offense: Bonn is a fantastic transition team with excellent one on one scoring ability and many offensive weapons. Bowman and Frazier will be their primary scoring threats but Rowland is an underrated scorer and experienced players such as Yarbrough can be factors. After their fantastic post season run last playoffs, this Bonn team has potentially more offensive firepower despite losing key big man John Bowler.
Defense: A aggressive team defense with long and athletic players, Bonn plays mostly man to man defense but mixes in halfcourt trapping and different zones. This season Bonn has shown more aggressive full court presses looking to capitalize on their athleticism. With size and shot-blocking at several positions, Bonn is an exciting defensive team which can create opportunities for their offense with steals and blocks.
GM:
Head Coach: Michael Koch
Players:
EJ Rowland : steady PG joins Bonn from Artland
Winsome Frazier: lightning quick one on one scoring wing
Brandon Bowman : talented scorer is a go-to guy in Bonn
Vincent Yarbrough : veteran wing is experienced and skilled
Artur Kolodziejski: captain/team player/excellent on D
Ken Johnson: former Frankfurt C adds size and athleticism to Bonn
Johannes Strasser: backup PG/hardnosed and skilled
Patrick Flomo: ultra athletic F/ shotblocker and rebounder
Moussa Diagne: athletic 6'8 F from Senegal
Tim Clifford: skilled post from Holy Cross
Alex King: athletic, versatile wing, adds depth in Bonn
