TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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RUBBER MATCH!
Ulm travels to Jena Saturday
2.Bundesliga South Champion ratiopharm Ulm boards their team bus for the final road trip of the season Saturday as they return to eastern Germany for a much-anticipated rubber match against second place erdgas Baskets Jena 8pm at Lobeda West in Game Day 29. Celebrating the "Aufstieg" and promotion into the Bundesliga, 27-1 ratiopharm Ulm wrapped up the league title last week with a 106-73 victory over USC Freiburg at Sportszentrum Kuhberg while 24-4 Jena topped BBC Bayreuth 78-70 at Oberfrankenhalle in Bayreuth. Although the result from Saturday's Ulm-Jena III lost most meaning, both teams will aim for the upper hand head to head this season after the splitting pre-Christmas clashes at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm --- Jena stole a 76-74 German Cup win in November before Ulm edged a 74-72 regular season win in December. Saturday's game may no longer impact a championship, but Ulm-Jena III remains a "topspiel" of 1 versus 2. Most important, playing for pride after splitting one game apiece, Saturday night in Lobeda West Ulm-Jena III is a "rubber match"!
Ulm is excited for their "rubber match" in Jena!!
Saturday April 22nd, 2006
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ratiopharm Ulm is Number 1.
After last weekends championship-clinching home victory over USC Freiburg, Ulm celebrated the fact that they accomplished the seasons number one goal --- the "Aufstieg" earning a ticket to the Bundesliga! After team parties and fun that jolted the city with energy, Mike T and his team got back to work Wednesday with preparation focused on number 2.
While ratiopharm Ulm worked their way to a 27-1 record, second place erdgas Baskets Jena fought through injuries and adversity to keep pace. Early in the season, Ulm and Jena clearly emerged as the class of the 2005-2006 2.Bundesliga South. As Ulm clicked with special team chemistry, Jena dealt with injuries to key players in point guard Austen Rowland and center Oliver Braun. Even though Jena knocked Ulm out of the German Cup with a last second tip in from here-today-gone tomorrow point guard Alvin Cruz, Ulm won the important league matchup 74-72 behind a great team effort culminating in clutch Jonathan Levy free throws.
2005-2006 2.Bundesliga Champs; 2006-2007 BUNDESLIGA!
Once Ulm assumed pole position with their mid-December head to head win over Jena, they never looked back. While Jena worked to stay within striking distance, Frank Menz team lost center Oliver Braun to a knee injury forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. The personnel problems eventually cost the eastern Germany based squad with losses in Nordlingen and Chemnitz. Despite the loss of personnel and games, Jena held out hope that Ulm would slip up --- even won-loss records and a head to head victory over Ulm by 3 points would hand Jena the title. With this in mind, Jena hunted Ulm hoping for a head to head "rubber match" for all the marbles. Instead, Ulm seized the opportunity to close out the championship bouncing back from their only loss with important victories including the overtime thriller in Bayreuth. As the old saying goes, "sometimes the best defense is a good offense" --- for Ulm, avoiding a head to head meaningful game in Jena might be the most important victory of their season. While Ulm-Jena III will be a fantastic matchup, the result lacks impact. As a result, anticipation has been deflated. As the season has played out, Ulm can relax and play in Jena with confidence of a champion. Just as important, Ulm can play in Jena without pressure.
HEAD TO HEAD! Top players Jonathan Levy and Ronnie Taylor meet in a matchup to watch Saturday!
Jena features an organization with strong basketball tradition and a talented team. At first glance, balance strikes opponents. The American backcourt of scoring guard Ronnie Taylor and playmaker Austen Rowland ranks among the best one-two combinations in the 2.Bundesliga. Taylor has averaged 20.6ppg 5reb and 5ast a night this season while shooting 43% from three. A skilled scorer with excellent ability to penetrate, Taylor is best known for his lethal mid-range game and pull up jumpers. Since Rowland's return from injury, Taylor has been able to completely concentrate on scoring and has put in work. When Jena needs a big basket, there is no question Ronnie T is where they go. Delivering the ball is top point guard Austen Rowland who has helped elevate Jena's play since returning from a stress fracture. Averaging 12.7pts 5.7reb and 5.1ast a game, Austen is an outstanding passer and deft ballhandler. Together, Rowland and Taylor form a dynamic duo that is difficult to defend.
Jena point guard Austen Rowland has returned from an early season stress fracture in his foot to power Jena's run with outstanding play. (Photo from Thomas Wolfer)
Another key to Jena success has been wing Alexander Seggelke who has produced 15.3ppg 4reb and 2.3ast this season while shooting 43% from three and a money 89% from the foul line. A smart player who can post up, hit threes and make active cuts, Seggelke is a big wing who makes big plays. In the post, big men Gregor Linke and Lars Buss compliment one another effectively. Linke is a skilled perimeter marksman hitting 41% of his three point shots and scoring 11.7ppg this season. Meanwhile, Buss does his damage in the paint scoring 10ppg while grabbing 5.6reb with a physical bruising style of play. Since losing Center Oliver Braun, Buss has emerged as a key factor inside for Jena. Off the bench, three players play productive roles for Menz' Jena team. Underrated wing Mischa Zlotowski plays both forward positions, scores 6.4pts with 2.5reb while hitting 31% from three off the bench. Back up point Lukas Hoepke is a young guard who has developed with experience this season and young post player Oliver Golla works hard in the paint in his minutes.
Although Jena fell short of the Aufstieg, they have enjoyed a tremendously successful season winning to 24-4 to this point. Without question ratiopharm Ulm understands what second place is all about after coming close but finishing second in both of the last two seasons. Head Coach Frank Menz and the Jena players should be given credit and respect for continuing to win when many other teams play out the string. Unfortunately for Jena, Menz recently announced he will leave the organization in search of new opportunities next season. Also the A2 German National team head coach, Frank Menz is a respected high level basketball coach. Certainly, Jena's next head coach will have some big shoes to fill. For Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor, Frank Menz is a respected adversary and colleague.
Jena's excellent Head Coach Frank Menz, also the A2 German National team Head Coach, announced he will leave Jena after this season. A quality coach, Menz looks up for his next team! (Photo from Thomas Wolfer)
After last weekends win, ratiopharm Ulm is flying high. Tremendous team pride exists in Ulm and the team aims to finish the season strong. Led by captain Emeka Erege, the players have remained focused and worked hard this week. Americans Jonathan Levy and Jeff Gibbs are focused for important matchups on the weekend. Without question, the marguee matchup remains Levy against Ronnie Taylor. Point guards Martin Thuesen and Christian Grosse must rise to the challenge of Austen Rowland. Big men Maksym Shtein, Florian Mobius and Konrad Wysocki hope to control the paint against Jena. The sharpshooting dual between old friends Jan Sprunken and Alex Seggelke will also be a matchup to watch. Finally, Ulm hopes to use their bench effectively and make depth a factor on Saturday. A real key for Ulm may be their ability to focus and bring energy to the floor despite having the league sewn up.
While Saturday's Ulm-Jena III might not be a championship game, it remains a big game on the 2.Bundesliga South schedule. After all, it is a rubber match. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
SCOUTING REPORTS
Emeka Erege: the best captian in the 2.Bundesliga South!
Jonathan Levy: iced big win over Jena with 2ft's/25 last week vs freiburg
Jeff Gibbs: focused on important matchup with linke at 4 spot
Maksym Shtein: head to head with lars buss!
Martin Theusen: interesting head to head vs Austen Rowland
Christian Grosse: firey competitor can spark Ulm off bench with hustle + J
Konrad Wysocki: Ulm's x-factor is a "Wy"-factor!
Florian Mobius: Ulm post sub important for defense/rebounding/teamwork
Jan Sprunken: experienced wing can spark Ulm with perimeter shooting!
Antonis Sivorotka: talented prospect also developing
Benni Gulde: recovering from foot injury in recent weeks
Ronnie Taylor 6'2 skilled scorer/takes + makes BIG shots 20.6ppg 5ast
Alex Seggelka 6'5 fantastic shooter 43% 3 89%ft 15.3ppg intelligent wing
Austen Rowland 6'1 fast ballskilled PG/great in ballscreens/12.7ppg 5.7ast
Mischa Zlotowski 6'5 versatile wing/3pt threat/ team player/reb + postup
Gregor Linke 6'9 strong 4man/3pt threat 41%/ talented big man
Oliver Braun 6'10 injured center
Lars Buss 6'9 physical/lefty post/ inside oriented/works on boards/10ppg
Lukas Hoepke solid young player/ back up PG minutes
Oliver Golla back up big man/hardworking young post
Robert Cardenas out for year with knee injury
