TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM EXPECTS FIREWORKS AGAINST FREIBURG
Take two 7-2 teams both averaging 92 points per game and 37 rebounds per game and match them up --- what do you get?
What ratiopharm Ulm head coach Mike Taylor expects is fireworks on the basketball floor at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night as his Ulm team hosts high scoring and uptempo USC Freiburg for a 7pm tip off in 2.Bundesliga South basketball action. A key early season game, Ulm and Freiburg enter the game tied in 2.Bundesliga South standings and several statistical categories setting up what should be a fast paced, fast breaking, end to end exciting meeting. Freiburg hopes their newly assembled "Triple H" attack is enough to upset Ulm.
Entering the game after a 2-2 month of November which saw them drop two tough road games at Nurnberg and at Jena, Ulm remains unbeaten at home and must make up ground on league leading Nurnberg currently 9-0. USC Freiburg demolished MTV Kronberg last Sunday making up for their Thanksgiving road loss at Ehingen 82-72 last Thursday. Without question, both teams will be focused on earning their 8th league win of the season Saturday night.
Ulm's Emeka Erege looks to operate on the wing.
USC Freiburg made several significant changes in the offseason and most are working out for the southwestern based German team. Dr Ivan Vojtko, who previously guided two 2.Bundesliga South teams to championships and Bundesliga promotion, was given the reigns as Head Coach and GM replacing Arman Kazarian (GM) and Keith Gray (HC). Most recently with Karlsruhe, Vojtko immediately revamped his roster adding his type of players. Three key additions were made forming Freiburg's "Triple H attack". First, American point guard Darnell Hinson, a transition fiend with a deadly three point shot took over the playmaking responsibilities. Averaging 18ppg and 4.4assists on 39% shooting from three, Hinson has made it happen for Freiburg and is arguably the best scoring point guard in the league. Second, versatile forward Jordan Harris was signed from Northeastern State. An excellent one on one scorer, Harris has dropped 22ppg and grabbed 8rpg while shooting an impressive 52% from three. Harris runs the floor in transition, rebounds and can post, but his best asset is his ability to create off the dribble for scores. Czech center Thomas Hruby, the third important new addition, joined Dr Vojtko's team from 2.Division North team Wolfenbuttel Dukes after success in the Mattoni NBL, Czech Republic's elite league. Hruby, a skilled inside scorer with 3pt shooting ability, has scored 16.9ppg with 10 rebounds per game. Important role players for Freiburg include the intelligent and sweet shooting lefty Jeff Tomsech who provides 12ppg and 39% 3pt touch. Hardnosed Carl Mbassa, a defensive demon and aggressive rebounder, does the dirty work for Freiburg and comes up with 9.8ppg and 5.8rpg. Mbassa loves to defend point guards with intensity and tenaciousness often denying them all over the floor. Big bodies Christoph Roquette, Nils Menck, Markus Oertelt and Tomislav Topic round out the frontcourt with physical play and hardwork on the boards. A great offensive team in transition and one on one, Freiburg relies on the offense from Harris, Hinson and Hruby --- the triple H attack.
Maksym Shtein finishes this layup in Jena; Shtein has been strong all season for Ulm and has an exciting matchup with Freiburg's Thomas Hruby.
Ulm, which boasts the leagues most balanced team offense and deepest bench, has the most efficient offensive team in 2.Bundesliga South basketball. Ulm leads the league in assists and field goal percentages while averaging the most points per game in league action.i Expectedly, It has not been the offense that has failed them. Defensive stops, STOPABILITY on key possessions and containing dribble penetration have been areas of concentration for Ulm work on the practice court this week after last Saturdays tough 92-89 road loss in Jena. After intense teamwork and technique review, Ulm takes the floor confidently against Freiburg knowing defensive stops on the "Triple H Attack" will be a key to winning.
In Jena, Ulm point guard Michael Bree found his rhythm and posted 11 assists and Ulm shooter Kenny Price drilled 4 more three balls as he top scored with 17. Price is likely to be named Ulm Player of the Month from fan club voting on the internet in the next few days. Center Maksym Shtein and forward Florian Mobius also had strong games against Jena. Ulm will be boosted by the return of Antoine Sinclair after a knee strain sidelined him for the last 2 weeks.
Ulm's Christian Grosse buries a first half 3 in Jena
The game against Freiburg kicks off an important December for Mike T and his men as they battle for position in the 2.Bundesliga South Standings. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
4 MICHAEL BREE 11 ast in Jena could be sign of Bree back in top form
8 KENNY PRICE 4 more threes in Jena for Ulm Player of Month for Nov.
10 EMEKA EREGE look for Erege to step up his game and leadership
14 FLORIAN MOBIUS excellent play helped Bree, Price, Erege click
15 MAKSYM SHTEIN most consistent Ulmer/ great matchup with Hruby!
5 NIKI ARINZE a perfect offensive game in Jena/maybe too unselfish now?
11 PETER HEIZER will draw key D matchup to stop Trople H attack
12MICHAEL NIEBLING 7' looks for big weekend with family visiting
7 CHRISTIAN GROSSE point drilled 3 3's in Jena and continues good play
9 ANTOINE SINCLAIR back after missing 2 weeks with twisted knee
6 DENNIS WOOLFOLK veteran staying ready with hard work
13 TOBI WAITZINGER hardworking Ulmer also ready
5 DARNELL HINSON excellent scoring point/ great in transition/ 18ppg 4.4apg 39% 3pt
6 JORDAN HARRIS 22ppg 8rpg 52% 3pt shooting playing like his name
14 THOMAS HRUBY 16.9ppg 10rpg for 3rd of Triple H attack
10 JEFF TOMESCH lefty three point shooter/ smart player 12ppg 39% 3pt
13 CARL MBASSA hardworking defender/ driver and rebounder/ 9.8ppg 5.8rpg
8 CHRISTOPH ROQUETTE 4man / hardworking and physical/ runs hard and rebounds
11 NILS MENCK looks to score/ good stand still J
12 MARKUS OERTELT physical back up post/ rebounds/ 10pt in win over Kronberg
15 TOMISLAV TOPIC physical sealer/ uses body around basket/ likes physical D
7 ANDREJ CERVENKA lefty young Slovakian point/ good 3pt shooter/ good potential
