TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BREAKTHROUGH FOR 22!
Ulm hosts Breitengussbach Saturday on brink of History!
No team in the history of 2.Bundesliga South basketball has opened a season with 22 straight wins. Last year, RCE Falke Nurnberg brought their unbeaten 21-0 record to Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm for GameDay 22 of the 2004-2006 2.Bundesliga South season. Ulm broke Nurnberg's run with an 89-82 win, but Nurnberg took their place in history before taking their place in the Bundesliga by winning the 2.Bundesliga South. Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm looks to write history becomming the leagues first team to reach the 22 win mark unbeaten as they host TSV Breitengussbach for a 7pm tipoff. For Ulm, Saturday's game against Breitengussbach is about breaking through to 22!
Ulm Captain Emeka Erege leads the team as they attempt to write history Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg against Breitengussbach.
Saturday March 4th, 2006 7pm
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ratiopharm Ulm looks to write history Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg becomming the first team in 2.Bundesliga South history to open a season with 22 straight wins. Entering the evening 21-0, Ulm tips off at 7pm against upset minded 5-16 Breitengussbach who dropped their sixth consecutive contest Wednesday night in a wild derby game against BBC Bayreuth 111-105 in overtime. A team of streaks, Breitengussbach opened the season with 8 straight losses before rebounding a bit with a 4 game midseason winning streak. Unfortunately for the young Breitengussbach team, the second half of the season has been unkind as the squad has dropped every rematch game to this point in their 6 game skid.
Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor
November 6, 2005, the first meeting between Ulm and Breitengussbach --- back in Game Day 7 of the 2.Bundesliga South season --- ratiopharm Ulm ran to a large first half lead before a scrappy 'gussbach squad battled back into the game. Despite leading by 14 points at the halftime break (60-46), Breitengussbach roared back behind big man Brian Boxler's outstanding evening with a third quarter comeback that turned the 14 point deficit into a 73-70 lead late in the 3rd. Fortunately for Ulm, big baskets from power guard Jonathan Levy and point guard Martin Thuesen sparked a fourth quarter run that sealed the teams 107-86 road win improving Mike T and his men to 7-0 on the young year. Certainly, the game was much closer than the 21 point final victory margin. Brian Boxler's 34 point 10 rebound double double was an impressive performance for 'gussbach. For the season, the skillfull big man averages 19.9ppg and 9.9reb. Veteran wing Henrik Gese was also solid hitting 4 of 8 threes on his way to 16 points. Gese started the game fast drilling deep threeballs to keep Breitengussbach in the game early on. Young guards Felix Ferner, Sajmen Hauer and Alexej Bodnar also enjoyed solid games for Breitengussbach. Ferner, a hardworking young point guard scored 13 points with 5 assists and 6 steals in one of his better games this season. Hauer, a quality young talent who has been steadily improving over several seasons, directed the third quarter come back and scored 10 points at critical times before leaving the game with a minor foot injury. Bodnar also stepped up to score 12 points in a complimentary roll to help his team. Together, 'Gussbach hit 9 -19 threes for the game --- one of their better shooting performances for the year. The team also shot 51% from the floor and outscored Ulm 27-13 in the 3rd. In the end, Ulm's depth was too much for the young Breitengussbach team as ratiopharm raced to a 29-13 fourth quarter cementing the road win. Aside from Jonathan Levy's Kobe-like 26 point, 11rebound, 6 assist, 5 steal, 5 block night, Ulm received solid bench play from Christian Grosse (18pt 7 ast) and Jan Sprunken (15pt). Maksym Shtein also was good in the paint hitting 6 of 7 shots for 18 points in the win.
Ulm power guard Jonathan Levy stuffed the stat sheet earlier this season November 6th, 2005 in Breitengussbach scoring 26 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing 6 assists, blocking 5 shots and pilfering 5 steals.
As in the first game back in November, Breitengussbach has been very competitive all season long. Wednesday nights loss to Bayreuth was no exception. Playing their rivals on their home floor, a motivated Breitengussbach team scored 42 points in the fourth quarter in an amazing comeback to send the game into overtime. Despite fouling out 7 players and finishing the game with 3 men on the floor, Breitengussbach remained in striking distance before falling 111-105. In the game, 'Gussbach grabbed an impressive 21 offensive rebounds but Bayreuth shot a ridiculous 65 free throws in the game. American forward Duez Henderson topscored for Breitengussbach with 25 points while solid young wing Sebastian Betz added 20 points in the loss. Henrik Gese (11pt) and Max Weber (10pt) were the only other double figure scorers for 'gussbach in the game. The team hit a solid 11-25 threes and grabbed an impressive 52 rebounds in defeat. It remains to be seen how much this midweek overtime loss affects the teams performance on the weekend.
GIMME FIVE! Ulm C Maksym Shtein has been solid all season long!
Unfortunately, ratiopharm Ulm has faced some injury issues this week during training. Experienced wing Jan Sprunken, who has been a major factor in Ulm's success this season, strained a tricep muscle in Monday nights training session forcing him to miss several days this week. Working hard with team physio Andi Lacher in rehab, Sprunken remains questionnable for Saturday nights contest and will be a game time decision. The intelligent perimeter shooter could be a critical player for Ulm as Breitengussbach has played zone defense for a majority of the season. With Jan active, Ulm boasts and excellent zone buster; with Jan scratched, Ulm will look to Christian Grosse, Konrad Wysocki and others to fill the void. Also hobbled during the week, big man Maksym Shtein has practiced through a severe knee bruise but is expected to play. At this time of the year, every player must deal with minor bumps, bruises and dings and 100% health is relative. The heart and determination of the Ulm players has helped them overcome adversity as demonstrated by Jonathan Levy's brilliant season despite torn tendons in his right pinky finger. Working with a strong 9 man rotation, ratiopharm Ulm is fortunte enough to have options when facing personnel situations and injuries. However, Saturday night, the Ulm bench will be significantly shortened as the organizations farm team NEU ULM plays a road game at Olching at 7pm. Top prospects Antonis Sivorotka, Benni Gulde, Marcel Friede and Sebastian Geserick will be with Jakob Moeller as Neu Ulm takes on Olching leaving Ulm with only their 9 man team.
LET'S GO! Ulm PG Martin Thuesen has been tremendous since Christmas settling into his roll with precision.
Breitengussbach, the farm club for Bundesliga team and Euroleague participant Bamberg, features several top young German players including point guard Sajmen Hauer. American forwards Brian Boxler and Duez Henderson have been key scoring weapons for the team offensively and solid shooter Henrik Gese adds experience and dependability on the wing. Young guards Felix Ferner and Sebastian Betz have showed steady progress and players like Max Weber and Alexej Bodnar continue to grow within their program. College basketball fans in the USA are also familiar with Breitengussbach although they may not be aware of it --- Bucknell big man Christopher McNaughten, who sank the game winning basket in the Bison's upset win over Kansas in last seasons NCAA Tourney, is a 'Gussbach product. Without question, Breitengussbach hopes to show how far their team has come with a strong performance in Ulm Saturday night.
OUT OF MY WAY! Ulm wing Jan Sprunken, a key part of Ulm success this season, strained a tricep muscle earlier in the week and is questionnable for Saturday against Breitengussbach.
Ulm's 21 game winning streak to start the season has been strengthened by the teams terrific home court performances at Sportszentrum Kuhberg where the team has won 28 straight 2.Bundesliga South home games over the last 3 seasons. A major reason for Ulm's home court dominance is the teams fantastic fan support each game. Ulm's fan club, MONSTER BLOCK, shows up to Sportszentrum Kuhberg in force and the Kuhberg crowd makes Ulm the best place to play in the league. Certainly, the Ulm fans enjoy a much deserved share in the teams success this season.
MONSTER BLOCK! Ulm Fan Club powers Ulmer players with their fantastic support every game!
On the brink of history, ratiopharm Ulm looks to break through for win number 22 against upset minded Breitengussbach Saturday night. Preparing for a tough game, an Ulm win looks to be the next scene in an exciting script for the 2005-2006 season. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
SCOUTING REPORTS
Emeka Erege: Ulm Captain is a model player on and off floor.
Jonathan Levy: 26pt 11r 6ast 5st 5blk in Gussbach november 6th
Jeff Gibbs: MONSTER dunk over Boxler in first meeting/ looking for more
Maksym Shtein: 18pt in Gussbach/slowed by slight knee bruise
Martin Theusen: in excellent form since Christmas/ continues to improve
Christian Grosse: 18pt 7ast v gussbach/key off bench vs Gussbach zone
Konrad Wysocki: 19pt topscoring in last Ulm game/key in-out sub for Ulm
Florian Mobius: Ulm post sub playing excellent team basketball/in top form
Jan Sprunken: recovering from strained tricep muscle/ game time decision
Antonis Sivorotka: talented young forward will be with Neu Ulm in Olching
Benni Gulde: young guard will be with Neu Ulm in Olching
Sajmen Hauer 6'1 top young PG talent/triggers Gussbach O
Sebastian Betz 6'2 good young wing/scoring making plays/20pt wed night
Henrik Gese 6'4 captain/ leader/vet/ nice pullup J hi release/ 3pt threat
Brian Boxler 6'9 in-out lefty scorer/quality big man/ 34pt 10r vs Ulm
Michael Schroeder 6'10 big physical/inside scorer/ worker/good prospect
Felix Ferner 5'10 scrappy PG/works on defense/ active cutter/ has heart
Duez Henderson 6'7 in-out/shooter/scoring pts/25pt 9r wed night
Alexej Bodnar solid young player/ looks to see more minutes soon
Johannes Betz young reserve
Max Weber solid forward/ perimeter threat/ works on boards.
