20-20!
Team effort earns Ulm 20th win!
ratiopharm Ulm put six players in double figures powering past the visiting Crailsheim Merlins 103-71 Saturday night in 2.Bundesliga South action at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Earning their 20th win of the season, Ulm's "Bench Mob" of Jan Sprunken, Christian Grosse, Florian Mobius and Konrad Wysocki bolstered the effort with outstanding production totaling 38 points (on 13-25 floor shooting) and 10 rebounds. Following a solid first half, Ulm took control with a 29-14 third quarter. Ulm's Jonathan Levy led the charge with 23 points 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Teammate Jan Sprunken was brilliant off the bench scoring 12 first half points including 3-6 threes before the halftime break. Solid forward Florian Mobius was also sharp as a reserve sinking 5 of 7 shots to total 12 points in the win. Riding positive momentum from a terrific team effort, Ulm looks ahead to Wednesday night for a midweek matchup against COOCOON Baskets Weiden in 2.Bundesliga South Game Day 21.
Jan Sprunken was excellent for Ulm Saturday.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEBUARY 18th, 2006 7pm tip
VS 
Entering Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday evening, the Crailsheim Merlins were one of the hottest teams in the 2.Bundesliga South. Turning around their 1-7 season by winning 8 of their last 11 games, the Merlins boasted a rebuilt roster with added firepower and brought confidence to the floor after a blowout win over Chemnitz, competitive loss at Jena and week off to prepare. Having earned 19 wins entering Saturday's game against Crailsheim, ratiopharm Ulm seemed accustomed to the target on their back having beaten every challenger to the 2/3rds point of the season. For unbeaten Ulm, the challenge becomes focusing on the task at hand without looking ahead. Thinking and working with a game by game mentality, Ulm players have prepared themselves extremely well for optimal performance.
Jonathan Levy was in top form scoring a team high 23 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
ratiopharm Ulm took the floor with a solid game plan determined to defend the improved Merlin offensive attack. An outstanding perimeter shooting team with physical rebounders inside, Crailsheim featured 4 double digit scorers with the ability to catch fire. Certainly the Merlins would be a challenge for the Ulm defense. As the game tipped off, the Merlins jumped out to an early 4-2 lead. A Maksym Shtein three from the wing gave Ulm their first lead of the evening. Teams exchanged baskets through the majority of the first quarter. Crailsheim effectively worked their offense from ballscreens into ball reversal into post touches. Lucian Kieser scored effectively on the block. As guards Willie Young and Greg Miller attacked the basket with aggressive drives, the Ulm defense allowed dribble penetration forcing them to rotate. Although the team effectively stopped the dribble drives with active rotations, Ulm surrendered offensive rebounds giving the Merlins extra possessions. Early foul trouble hit both teams hard as Ulm's Emeka Erege was whistled with 2 fast fouls and Konrad Wysocki suffered 2 quick whistles. On the visitors bench, both Igor Starcevic and Jesse Smith were hampered with 2 first quarter fouls. Ulm's depth became an immediate factor. With 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter Ulm held a slim 17-14 lead. Suddenly, veteran Ulm wing Jan Sprunken stepped up. Drilling back to back baskets, Sprunken sparked a 10-4 run and Ulm finished the first quarter holding a 27-18 lead.
Ulm bench players Jan Sprunken, Florian Mobius, Christian Grosse and Konrad Wysocki --- affectionately known as the "Bench Mob" --- emerged as integral players against Crailsheim Saturday night. While Sprunken sank perimeter jump shots, Mobius and Wysocki added post defense and active rebounding. Ulm edged ahead in quarter two and seemed on the verge of breaking the game open. Crailsheim's star shooting forward Igor Starcevic picked up his third foul in the first half and the Merlins looked to be on the ropes. But back to back three point shots from Willie Young and Lucian Kieser brought them back in the game at 35-31 forcing an Ulm timeout with 4 minutes remaining in the first half. Regrouping the troops and refocusing the attack, ratiopharm Ulm looked to finish the first half strong. Out of the timeout, that is exactly what the team did. Urged on by an enthusiastic Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd, ratiopharm Ulm bolted to a 13-3 run earning a 48-34 halftime lead. An energizing play came from a thunderous two hand throwdown from Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs. Slicing down the heart of the Merlin D, Gibbs hammered home a crowd pleasing monster jam that rattled the rim while rattling the guests. The 21-16 second quarter could be attributed to excellent team play and quality contributions from all nine players from the Ulm rotation.
Forward Florian Mobius gave Ulm great minutes off the bench adding 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting.
At the half, Ulm discussed several important topics in the team room. First, the Merlins ballscreens were effective in first half action due to slow Ulm hedges and recovery. Second, big men were instructed to pick up ball pressure on perimeter post catches. Third, perimeters looked to increase denial in specific ball reversal situations and do a better job of containing one on one against dribble penetration. Finally, the team aimed to improve their defensive rebounding with better blockouts and hustle plays after the 50-50 loose balls. Offensively, Ulm executed on a high level in the first half resulting in 51% field goal percentage and 12 assists. Jan Sprunken led the team in scoring with 12 first half points including 3 for 6 from behind the arc. Jonathan Levy added 11 first half points and was outstanding on the offensive glass. Meanwhile, Crailsheim had competed very well behind a terrific effort from big man Lucian Kieser who was high in the game with 13 points at the break. Willie Young drilled 2 of 2 three pointers and the Merlins shot 44% from three and 44% from the floor.
Captain Emeka Erege sparked Ulm's 3rd quarter run with attacking drives and crafty playmaking.
Focused on a strong start from the halftime break, ratiopharm Ulm received an early boost as Crailsheim head coach Arne Alig was hit with a technical foul for arguing a call. Ulm used the incident for an early run capitalizing on their opportunity. Maksym Shtein started the run with a dive cut AND1 slam dunk. Then, when Merlins forward Igor Starcevic picked up his 4th personal foul, Ulm captian Emeka Erege went to work. Repeatedly calling Erege's number, Ulm went directly at the foul plagued Crailsheim player and Erege sparked his teammates with a string of skillfull plays. Frustrated, Crailsheim forward Thomas Simon was whislted for an intentional foul and tempers flared as the teams exchanged words. Officials took control and players refocused on the action. Ulm's 17-4 explosion handed them control of the game. A key factor in the tempo was Ulm's effective changing defense. Intelligently, Ulm players made excellent adjustments and carried out the game plan to precision. When the smoke cleared after three, Ulm outran the Merlins 29-14. Entering the final ten minute quarter, Ulm held a 77-47 lead.
Jeff Gibbs works one on one against Crailsheim's Lucian Kieser. Gibbs was strong in the paint finishing with 11 points and 8 rebounds.
The final ten minutes played out as expected. Ulm revolved the rotation one final time and every player eventually saw action. Florian Mobius finished strong inside. Konrad Wysocki was a ball of fire on the offensive boards. Martin Thuesen and Christian Grosse set the table. As Ulm maintained their lead, Merlins Starcevic and Willie Young piled up garbage time points. Starcevic buried back to back threes and Young worked the middle of the floor against the changing Ulm zone presses. Young attacked effectively and created opportunities in the Ulm paint. As Ulm emptied the bench, young prospects Antonis Sivorotka, Marcel Friede and Sebastian Gerick were able to clock minutes of game action. In the last moments, a Wysocki three pointer pushed Ulm over the century mark and a Sivorotka basket set the final score. A 26-23 fourth quarter ended with a 103-71 scoreboard at the final siren. The excellent Kuhberg crowd could enjoy the teams 20th win of the season.
Ulm guard Christian Grosse provided energy and playmaking against the Merlins.
A terrific team effort, ratiopharm Ulm enjoyed excellent production from the entire roster. Six players reached double figures led by Jonathan Levy's 23 point 5 rebound 5 assist effort. Jan Sprunken, playing clutch minutes when foul trouble struck in the first half, added a strong 14 point game and Florian Mobius chipped in a 12 point 3 rebound night off the bench with effective post play. Captain Emeka Erege overcame first half foul problems to finish with 12 points and 4 boards while Jeff Gibbs added 11 points and a team high 8 rebounds. Center Maksym Shtein rounded out the double digit scorers with a 10 point 7 rebound game. For Crailsheim, Lucian Kieser led the way with 15 points but was limited to 2 points in the second half by inspired Ulm defense. Igor Starcevic scored 13 points including 3 for 5 from the three point line and Willie Young added 11 points. Big man Jesse Smith played through foul trouble to score 10 points with 8 rebounds for the Merlins.
Konrad Wysocki drives hard baseline against Crailsheim big man Jesse Smith.
Ulm outrebounded Crailsheim 42-26, a significant stat stuffed with 20 Ulm offensive rebounds. For the game, Ulm hit 49% from the floor drilling 38 of 77 shots. The team sank 9 of 27 (33%) from three point land and produced a quality 18 assists to only 7 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Merlins hit 22 of 53 shots for 42% including a respectable 7 for 21 (33%) from three. Crailsheim managed only 8 assists compared with 14 turnovers. Ulm also converted 72% from the foul line (18-25) while Crailsheim sank 61% (20 of 33).
ULM's Danish Dynamite Martin Thuesen explodes past Crailsheim PG Willie Young.
Ulm's "Bench Mob" of Sprunken, Mobius, Grosse and Wysocki were outstanding in the win and provided a big boost to the team. Combined, the quartet totaled 38 points and 10 rebounds on 13 for 25 shooting including 5 of 13 from three point range.
Ulm center Maksym Shtein powered through the Merlin D for 10 points 7 rebounds.
At 20-0, ratiopharm Ulm continues to roll full speed ahead this 2.Bundesliga South season. Riding their momentum, Ulm looks ahead to a midweek road game at COOCOON Baskets Weiden Wednesday evening Febuary 22nd near the Czech boarder. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
