TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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STREAKS COLLIDE!
RATIOPHARM ULM HOSTS GOTTINGEN SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs BG74 Gottingen Violets
Saturday December 6th, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm , Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts a hot BG74 Gottingen Violets Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Riding a three game winning streak and positive momentum from last weekend's fantastic Derby win over rival Walter Tigers Tubingen, Ulm is excited to return to their home floor after playing four of their last five games on the road. Meanwhile, with Thursday nights 88-74 home win over Dusseldorf, Gottingen has won six straight games making them the hottest team in the Bundesliga. Saturday night hot streaks collide at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Ulm point guard Dru Joyce is currently third in the Bundesliga with 4.7 assists per game!
While preseason predictions mostly focused on established Bundesliga teams, both ratiopharm Ulm and BG74 Gottingen have started the 2008-2009 Bundesliga seasons strong. Entering Saturday night's tip-off, ratiopharm Ulm is ranked 4th and Gottingen 5th.
Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs leads the Bundesliga with 5 double doubles this season!
This season Gottingen has raced to a 7-2 record. While most Bundesliga teams have 11 or 12 games under their belt (ratiopharm Ulm enters Saturdays game 8-4), event conflicts at Lokhalle in Gottingen have forced the Violets to adjust their schedule. But the problems have not stopped Gottingen's early season success. After dropping their season opener 72-69 at home to Trier September 21st, Gottingen bounced back with a week two home win over brose Baskets Bamberg Sunday September 28th 71-69 at Lokhalle. Gottingen lost their next game 56-49 October 4th at Volkswagonhalle in Braunschweig and have since reeled off 6 straight wins. The win streak started with a 83-72 home win over Artland October 7th and was followed with two consecutive road wins beating Frankfurt 64-61 October 18th and Giessen 92-86 November 8th. The Violets then earned an impressive 70-65 home win over Telekom Baskets Bonn November 16th at Lokhalle before holding off a 4th quarter Koln comeback last week to take an exciting 77-76 road win over the 99ers at Rheinenergie Dome November 22nd in Koln. Finally, Gottingen hosted Dusseldorf Thursday night December 4th in a game shown live on BBL.TV from Lokhalle and earned a convincing 88-74 victory. With a six game winning streak, Gottingen visits Ulm on a roll.
ratiopharm Ulm's Keith Triplett is focused for Saturday nights game between hot teams.
Last year, Ulm and Gottingen split two games with each team picking up a road win in the opponents building. In the seasons first meeting on December 13th, 2007, ratiopharm Ulm used a strong second half surge to earn a 91-82 road win at Lokhalle. All Star forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 21 points 17 rebounds, Bryan Lucas added 15 points 4 rebounds and Konrad Wysocki went for 13 points 10 boards in leading Ulm's attack to the win. Gottingen's full court pressure helped them take the lead in the second quarter, but a strong late first half Ulm run pulled them even at 46 at the half. Ulm's 25-16 third quarter keyed the win.
Click for Ulm @ Gottingen December 13th, 2007 Game Summary
Click here for Photo Gallery of Ulm @ Gottingen
Ulm's rookie point guard Per Gunther has been excellent this season!
Later in the season, Gottingen earned their road win in Ulm on Saturday March 1st, 2008. ratiopharm Ulm started fast with an 11-2 explosion sparked by 3 EJ Gallup three pointers in the opening minutes, but it was BG74 Gottingen who finished strong at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Ulm's attack sputtered to 9 for 38 second half shooting and the Violets hit big shots (4 of 7 from three in the fourth quarter) to earn a hardfought 89-79 win over ratiopharm Ulm who finished shooting a season low 35% from the floor spoiling an intense team defensive effort with their inaccuarcy.
Click for complete Ulm v Gottingen March 1, 2008 Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm shooting guard Lee Humphrey is averaging 17ppg over his last three games while sinking 12 of 21 threes in that span.
On the court, Gottingen features a talented and athletic team which thrives playing aggressive basketball. After helping Gottingen win the 2.Bundesliga North in 2006-2007 as a shooting guard, Kyle Bailey signed with ratiopharm Ulm for the 2007-2008 season. Playing the point and helping Ulm to a strong start before Christmas, Kyle's 2007-2008 season was cut short with a thumb fracture suffered over Christmas break practice. Ulm basketball fans remember Bailey's efforts to return. Unable to find his early season form, Kyle eventually left the team and did not finish the season. Fortunately, Ulm's Dru Joyce stepped up his game and with the addition of outstanding rookie point guard Per Gunther, ratiopharm Ulm is extremely pleased with their point guard position for 2008-2009. Gottingen is happy too as Kyle returned to his original team and has been very productive averaging 15.4ppg 4.4reb and 3.6ast leading the Violets on-floor attack. While Bailey's return has boosted Gottingen, the addition of other key players has also helped the Violets to success. Athletic forward Clif Brown has been a terrific player for Gottingen producing 18.2ppg 7.8reb. Recently returning from a hand fracture of his own, Brown is a talented frontcourt player who thrives in the Gottingen system. Another athletic talent who has been excellent in Gottingen is Rocky Trice. After leading Cuxhaven to a tremendous season last year in Pro A, Trice has been an impact rookie in the Bundesliga averaging 12.1ppg 4.9reb and an impressive 4.1stl per game. While Bailey, Brown and Trice attract attention, newcomers Jason Miller (8pt 5reb), Charles Lee (9.5ppg 4.1reb) and Chris Oliver (4.8ppg 4reb) have also been key factors for Gottingen adding athleticism and skill on offense along with ballpressure on defense. With these important new faces, Gottingen's returning players Ben Jacobsen (8.3ppg 2.6reb 27% three), Marco Grimaldi (2pt 1reb) and Jason Boone (3.3ppg 3.6reb) play vital support roles in the violet attack. Rounding out the teams roster, hardworking Robert Dill, skilled shooting Peer Wente, athletic John Little and talented Robert Kulawick add depth and versatility to the team.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis is averaging 23ppg 8reb in his last two games.
ratiopharm Ulm prepares for that versatility with a different look. After twisting his ankle early in Saturdays road win over Tubingen, Ulm center Sean Finn will miss the Gottingen game as he recovers from his injury. Without Finn in the pivot, former Gottingen Violet big man Michael Schroeder will have opportunity against his old team. Recently returning from a leg injury of his own, Schroeder gave Ulm solid minutes replacing Finn in the rotation Saturday at Tubingen and will certainly be motivated to play against his old team this weekend. Ulm's fans will also be excited for Saturdays game against Gottingen after their outstanding support last weekend in Tubingen. This season, the enthusiastic Ulm fans have helped ratiopharm Ulm to a 4-1 mark at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. As both teams bring hot streaks to Kuhberg, Saturday night the table is set for an exciting showdown.
Ulm's Michael Schroeder is excited to meet his former team!
For both Ulm and Gottingen, two cities with excellent basketball tradition, the early part of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season has been successful. Over the past few seasons, both organizations have worked very hard to establish themselves in Germany's top league after success in the 2.Bundesliga level. Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, these two hot teams meet head to head for the first time this season.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
OPPONENTS AND TEAMMATES
Current ratiopharm Ulm big man Michael Schroeder played with Gottingen over the last two seasons and helped the Violets win the 2006-2007 2.Bundesliga North Championship. Teammates with Schroeder, current Gottingen players Kyle Bailey, Robert Dill and Marco Grimaldi remain on the Violets roster. Of course, Ulm fans remember, Kyle Bailey who started last season as the starting point guard with ratiopharm Ulm before having his season cut short by a fractured thumb.
KANSAS CAGERZ
Current Gottingen post player Jason Miller joined the Violets from Jena in the off-season. In his past, the former Oklahoma State and North Texas big man played in the USBL for the Kansas Cagerz the summer of 2006. ratiopharm Ulm head coach Mike Taylor worked closely with Miller as the Cagerz assistant. Jason is a close friend with former Ulm post man Bryan Lucas who was also a key player for the Cagerz teams.
SEC
Current ratiopharm Ulm shooting guard Lee Humphrey and BG74 Gottingen wing Rocky Trice have faced each other before. Both players competed collegiately in the Southeastern Conference with Humphrey drilling threes for the Florida Gators and Trice making highlights for South Carolina.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain remains ready to help team
Romeo Travis: 21pt 11reb 9-10FT in Tubingen!
Jeff Gibbs: leads Bundesliga with 5 double-doubles this season!
Keith Triplett : defensive star excited for Gottingen
Lee Humphrey: 17ppg 12-21 threes in last three games
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general 3rd in assists with 4.7per game
Per Gunther: rookie star establishing himself in Bundesliga!
Dan Fitzgerald: enjoying tremendous rookie season with Ulm!
Sean Finn: injured ankle sidelines Ulm's starting C
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing gives Ulm excellent depth
Michael Schroeder: former Gottingen post man excited for Saturday!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Goettingen, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Lokhalle
website: www.bg74.de
2007-2008: 13-21 13th place Bundesliga
Offense Gottingen features several ballskilled players with the ability to attack the basket and break down the defense with the drive. Attacking in transition and pushing the basketball at an uptempo pace, the Violets like to use smaller and athletic lineups to create mis-matches and emphasize one on one driving opportunities for each position. With the return of Kyle Bailey, Gottingen has a scoring point guard who likes ballscreens. One interesting part of the attacking Gottingen offense is the teams excellent work on the offensive boards.
Defense: Basing their game plan on ballpressure and teamwork, Gottingen excels at their fullcourt pressing and trapping defense. The Violets have outstanding athleticism and play passing lanes extremely well. Gottingen will randomly run and jump, trap out of control ballhandlers against pressure and double team the post. The teams excellent individual defenders and athletic wings give opponents problems. One benefit from their defense is the easy baskets it produces for their offense. Gottingen's aggressive team defense is a key to their early season success.
GM:
Head Coach: John Patrick
Players:
Kyle Bailey: former Ulm PG returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg
Rockey Trice: athletic wing averages 4.1steals per game!
Jason Miller: hardworking post joins Gottingen from Jena
Clif Brown: impact go-to post player now healthy after hand injury
Charles Lee: versatile wing scored 23pt thursday night v Dusseldorf
Chris Oliver: athletic forward gives Gottingen talent in frontcourt
Ben Jacobsen: smart/skilled combo guard/played well in Ulm last yr
Marco Grimaldi: adds depth to backcourt with defensive effort
Jason Boone: physical post man Gottingen compares to Jeff Gibbs
Peer Wente: post man with shooting touch
Robert Dill: hardworking post sub played collegiately at Lafayette
Robert Kulawick: young german wing scored 10pt v Dusseldorf
