TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM HOSTS PHANTOMS IN HOME DEBUT SATURDAY NIGHT!
ratiopharm Ulm vs NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig
Saturday September 27, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm makes their home debut at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night when they host NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig for a 7pm tip. Riding the momentum from their season opening upset in Bamberg Wednesday night, Saturday's home opener at Kuhberg is Ulm's first official home game since May 10th and brings exciting Bundesliga basketball back to the city!
ratiopharm Ulm's Keith Triplett has made a tremendous impact with his outstanding defensive work.
After ratiopharm Ulm's season opening upset road win in Bamberg Wednesday night, the team is excited to finally play on their home floor of Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Building renovations throughout the summer forced preseason practices elsewhere and the Ulm team prepared for most of preseason at Ulm University Gym North affectionately known to the team as Ulm State College. This preseason ratiopharm Ulm has been 'road warriors' playing all but one official exhibition game away from home. Even Ulm's single home game against Ludwigsburg Tuesday September 16th was played at Ulm University Gym North and not Sportszentrum Kuhberg. While the adversity in preseason possibly helped Ulm's road performance on opening night in Bamberg, the team is extremely excited to return to their homecourt at Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the home opener Saturday night.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis brings an all around game to his team and fierce desire to win.
A building with tremendous tradition, ratiopharm Ulm has played every Bundesliga season since their original 'Aufsteig' in 1988 in the old school gym. While the facility is completely outdated by todays standards, the rich history of basketball in Sportszentrum Kuhberg makes it special. Sportszentrum Kuhberg saw the first era of Bundesliga basketball in Ulm from 1988 through 2001 and hosted the 2nd 'Aufsteig' in 2005-2006. With the tremendous support from the Ulm fans and close proximity to the court, ratiopharm Ulm has been a terrific home court advantage for the team throughout the years. With a new Arena on the horizon in Ulm, the tradition filled Sportzentrum Kuhberg is in the twilight of its Bundesliga basketball days making every tip off special.
Unfortunately, several problems occurred during the renovation process this summer and slowed the entire project down. While the city works to complete the renovations, ratiopharm Ulm can not wait any longer and must host their home opener amidst all the construction. As they say in showbusiness' 'the show must go on'.
Ulm's Per Gunther made his first Bundesliga start memorable with an outstanding floor game in Bamberg Wednesday night.
Ulm's 2008-2009 season opened in spectacular fashion with a surprising upset road win at JAKO Arena over brose Baskets Bamberg, until Wednesday night the only Bundesliga team Ulm had not beaten. Ulm's young team was even younger in Bamberg as 20 year old rookie point guard Per Gunther played a key role replacing an injured Dru Joyce in the starting lineup. In all 4 Ulm players saw Bundesliga action for the first time Wednesday and the terrific team effort developed into the perfect way to start the new season. Riding the momentum from this big season opening win, ratiopharm Ulm aims to keep it rolling with the excitement of their home opener and first action of the season at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald scored 11 points in Bamberg and is excited to make his debut in Sportszentrum Kuhberg with his teammates.
Saturdays opponent, NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig opened the season with a 79-69 home loss to the always strong Eisbaren Bremerhaven Saturday night September 20th at Volkswagonhalle in Braunschweig. Veteran Head Coach Emir Mutapcic brings a hardnosed, aggressive, physical approach to the game and has guided the Phantoms to improvement over his last 3 seasons with the team. This seasons team features three returning key players along the front line including former Ulm guard Jonathan Levy, All star forward Andrew Drevo and skilled post man Kyle Visser. Ulm fans remember Jono well for his key role in Ulm's 'Aufsteig' season of 2005-2006 and first year in the Bundesliga 2006-2007. A fantastic athlete, Jono has been an excellent defender and key player for the Phantoms logging the most minutes played. Last season ratiopharm Ulm fans gave Levy a terrific salute upon his return to Sportszentrum Kuhberg and another such welcome is expected. Jono's efforts for his two seasons are greatly appreciated among the Ulm team and fans. Drevo is one of the top perimeter shooting big men in the Bundesliga. Stretching defenses is Drevo's strength and the former Nebraska Cornhusker has established himself as a primary scoring threat. Complimenting Drevo's outside attack extremely well, former Wake Forest Demon Deacon Kyle Visser is the go-to scoring threat in the post for the Phantoms. A talented inside scorer, Visser has good footwork and uses his body effectively on the block. Also returning from last season, former University of Virginia forward Jason Cain brings energy and effort from the bench. Cain is a strong defender and active player who adds punch to the teams frontcourt. Three new faces will be key to the Phantoms perimeter game in 2008-2009. Point guard Will Franklin steps into the starting lineup and will run the show for Coach Mutapcic. Shooting guard Jeremy Crouch adds a perimeter shooting threat the team did not have last season. Finally, late in preseason, talented scoring guard Dustin Salisberry signed with Braunschweig and will be expected to produce good numbers from the scoring guard spot. Former Wisconsin Badger guard Michael Flowers signed with Braunschweig and will bring an excellent perimeter defender to the team, but Flowers suffered an injury in preseason and will miss the game Saturday night in Ulm. Also signing late in the preseason, former ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg forward Nils Mittmann decided to return home to his native Braunschweig for the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season. A terrific perimeter shooting forward who plays with great heart, Ulm fans will remember Mittmann as the teams captain in the 2001-2002 2.Bundesliga season. Young players Kevin Wysocki (younger brother of former Ulm All Star forward Konrad Wysocki), Tony Granz and Philip Friedel round out the Braunschweig roster.
Jeff Gibbs scores against Braunschweig last season despite being surrounded by a quadruple team of Phantoms.
The Phantoms finished last season 17-17 and picked up two wins in a sweep over ratiopharm Ulm. Last year, in the season opener for both teams, NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig used a strong fourth quarter to edge ratiopharm Ulm 75-70 at Volkswagonhalle in Braunschweig. Later in the season, the Phantoms took a 90-86 road win over Ulm in Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Click for game summary from October 6th Ulm at Braunschweig.
Click here for Ulm at Braunschweig Photo Gallery!
click here for Ulm v Braunschweig Game Summary Febuary 2, 2008
In the 2006-2007 season, the Phantoms haunted Ulm, edging the hosts in a tight 83-80 game in Ulm. Jeff Gibbs was phenomenal in the game scoring 29 points with 9 rebounds. Ulm bounced back and beat Braunschweig 85-74 in Overtime March 28th.
Click for Ulm @ Braunschweig Game Summary March 28th, 2007
Click for Ulm v Braunschweig Game Summary November 11, 2006
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz finishes at the basket against Braunschweig at Sportszentrum Kuhberg last season. Basti and his teammates are excited about Saturday nights home debut against the Phantoms.
Both ratiopharm Ulm and NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig enter Saturday nights early season game with their sights set on a win. Braunschweig takes confidence in their recent success over Ulm including last seasons sweep. Ulm rides the wave of momentum from their season opening upset victory over brose Baskets Bamberg. Certainly Saturday nights Bundesliga debut at Sportszentrum Kuhberg will be a terrific early season matchup with alot for fans to look forward to.
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce remains a game-time decision as he recovers from a preseason ankle injury.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action this season on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
POINT GUARD FOR BOTH COACHES
Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther played a terrific first start in Bamberg Wednesday, now the 20 year old rookie meets his National team coach Muki Mutapcic as ratiopharm Ulm hosts NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig Saturday night. Per played under Mutapcic this summer and the U20 national team won their qualifying tournament in Romania.
FORMER ULMERS!
When Braunschweig visits Ulm this weekend, it will be a return to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for former Ulmers Jonathan Levy and Nils Mittmann. Levy helped lead the team to the 'Aufsteig' in 2005-2006 and played with the team for the first Bundesliga season of 2006-2007 while Mittmann served as captain for the 2.bundesliga south teams of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002.
SPORTSZENTRUM KUHBERG DEBUT
ratiopharm Ulm plays their first official game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg after being forced out due to building renovations. Along with the season debut, four Ulm players will play their first game in the tradition rich building --- Lee Humphrey, Keith Triplett, Dan Fitzgerald and Per Gunther.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain played solid defensive minutes in Bamberg!!
Romeo Travis: 10 boards a key to Bamberg upset.
Jeff Gibbs: double-double to start season in Bamberg
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general game time decision for Saturday
Sean Finn: scored Ulm's final 5 points in big upset win in Bamberg
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter buried 2 threes in Bamberg.
Keith Triplett: outstanding defensive play a key to Ulm win
Dan Fitzgerald: sank 3 threes to give Ulm offensive punch off bench
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing gave Ulm strong minutes in Bamberg
Per Gunther: outstanding young PG looks to build on great first game
Michael Schroeder: big man providing physical presence in paint!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Braunschweig, Germany
Main Sponsor: BS Energy
Home Court: Volkswagenhalle
website: www.BS-ENERGY-Basketball.de
2007-2008: 17-17 9th place
Offense: With
Defense: Coach Mutapic emphasizes a strong man to man defense and will often use his zones on sideline or endline situation.
GM: Norbert Volling
Head Coach: Emir Mutapic
Players:
Jonathan Levy: electrifying athlete/excellent defender/former Ulmer!
Kyle Visser: go to scorer in the post/ skilled big man
Andrew Drevo: excellent shooting/passing big man/ All Star last year
Jason Cain: energy player from bench/ strong defender
Will Franklin: new PG shows signs of excellent skills
Michael Flowers: athletic perimeter defender/nursing injury
Jeremy Crouch: 3pt shooting threat from Bradley University
Nils Mittmann:3pt shooter/former captain in Ulm and Ludwigsburg
Dustin Salisberry: scoring wing/ talented offensive player
Kevin Wysocki:skilled young wing/younger brother of Konrad!
Philip Friedel: young pg
Tony Graz: prospect
