TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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NEXT STEPS!
ULM HOSTS KOLN 99ERS SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Koln 99ers
Saturday November 15, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm , Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts the Koln 99ers Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. 2006 Bundesliga champions and German Cup winners from 2004, 2005 and 2007, the Koln 99ers have a proud winning tradition and bring momentum from last weekends win to Kuhberg. Meanwhile, as ratiopharm Ulm prepares to face Koln in their next steps of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season on the floor, the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm came together earlier this week for the next steps off the floor passing the next vote for a new arena. This weekend, on and off the floor, ratiopharm Ulm is excited about the next steps!
ratiopharm Ulm's Romeo Travis soars to new heights as he scores earlier in the season at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. While Romeo and teammates work to make the next steps this season Saturday against Koln, the cities of Ulm and Neu Ulm made the next steps off the floor as the voted brought a new Arena one step closer Wednesday at Edwin-Scharfes Haus in Neu-Ulm.
Ulm looks to bounce back from last weekend road loss in Bonn and build on their strong early season play. After a 4-0 start, Ulm has won 1 of their last 5 games with all four losses coming against the top four teams in the current Bundesliga standings ALBA Berlin, Ewe Baskets Oldenburg, Artland Dragons and Telekom Baskets Bonn. With the excitement surrounding the positive step toward a new Arena in Ulm, Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg will be charged with extra electricity and energy for basketball's next steps in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn is ready for the challenge in the low post against Koln.
Recently, Ulm and Koln have played exciting games. Over the last two seasons, ratiopharm Ulm and Koln have split four games with each team winning on their home court every time. In 2007-2008, ratiopharm Ulm put together an outstanding team performance on both ends of the floor in their 84-61 home win over Koln Saturday night March 15th, 2008 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Sean Finn powered his way to a team best 13 point 8 rebound night while Dru Joyce totaled 12 points and a Bundesliga season-best 13 assists in leading Ulm to the win.
Click here for March 15, 2008 Ulm vs Koln Game Summary!
In last seasons first meeting, Koln used a 12-2 fourth quarter run that opened a 56-55 game to take a 78-68 win at Rheinenergie Dome November 1st, 2007 in a game shown live on BBL.TV.
Click here for November 1, 2007 Game Summary
Ulm's Lee Humphrey feeds the post in Bonn.
In 2006-2007, Ulm split two games with the high powered Koln team nearly pulling off an upset in Koln before falling 84-75 October 15th (click here for October 15th, 2006 Game Summary) and then upsetting Koln 82-77 Feb 17th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm (Click here for Febuary 17th, 2007 Game Summary).
Ulm's floor general Dru Joyce
This season, Koln opened with a tough 69-68 road loss at Burg-Wachter Costello in Dusseldorf on September 20th. After building a 20 point lead in the first half, Koln saw the Dusseldorf Giants stage an amazing comeback to steal the opening day win. In game two, Koln hosted the Deutsche Bank Skyliners September 28th but came up short in a hardfought 83-75 Skyliner win. The 99ers earned their first win in impressive fashion upsetting Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 75-73 at Ewe Arena on Zarryan Fereti's fantastic coast-to-coast buzzer beating layup October 4th. October 12th, the 99ers hosted Bundesliga power ALBA Berlin and fell off pace in the fourth quarter before losing 79-58. The Koln schedule took no time off as the Artland Dragons beat the 99ers 80-71 October 19th at Artland Arena. Koln returned home to earn their second win of the season 86-81 Thursday October 24th but suffered two straight losses at Telekom Dome 90-72 to Telekom Baskets Bonn October 26th and 71-65 in Tubingen November 1st. Last weekend, Koln picked up their third win of the campaign with a convincing 100-71 home win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven Sunday November 9th at Rheinenergie Dome. Koln's brings their 3-6 record into Sportszentrum Kuhberg along with confidence from their most recent win.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star Jeff Gibbs is poised for a strong performance in the paint against the Koln 99ers.
Koln's 2008-2009 team has been a work-in-progress. After recent successful seasons saw Koln win the Bundesliga Championship, the German Cup and compete in the Euroleague and ULEB Cup, the 99ers organization worked through a challenging financial time last season. This year, the revamped roster under new head coach Drasko Prodanovic, has several talented new faces. Headlining the new Koln stars, former Harlem Globetrotter showman Robert 'Hollywood' Turner brings his exciting, above-the-rim style of play to the 99ers. An athletic lefty three man who jumps out of the gym, Turner has produced 12ppg 4.3reb and 35% three point shooting against Bundesliga defenses after several years working against the Washington Generals. Joining the exciting Turner, former Memphis Tiger guard Jeremy Hunt has established himself as a terrific perimeter scorer in his first year with Koln. After playing last year with Pro A Kaiserslautern, Hunt has produced 11.5ppg 2.1reb and 2ast per game while hitting 40% of his threes. Complimenting these two terrific athletes, skilled scoring guard Zarryon Fereti brings an explosive-streaky scoring game to the Koln backcourt. Fereti took over the game in Oldenburg and eventually made the game winning shot racing coast to coast through the Thunderbirds defense before spinning to lay in the clutch two in Koln's 75-73 road win. Fereti has scored 8.5ppg in his first few games with the 99ers. Last week, the 99ers added skilled combo guard Jamon Gordon and the former Virginia Tech Hokie made an immediate impact scoring 14 points in the Koln win over Bremerhaven. An athletic perimeter defender and strong physical guard, Gordon brings another quality perimeter player on both ends of the floor.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Dan Fitzgerald has been an important part of the teams attack this season!
In the post, Koln lost focal point Yassin Idbihi this past week after the hardworking German forward transfered to French Pro B team Limoges. While, Idbihi's departure will be missed, Koln will turn to two young German big men to fill the paint. Long and talented Tibor Pleiss is a future star and has averaged 3.3ppg and 3.1reb in the early season. Pleiss' talent is unmistakable and has attracted attention of NBA GM's. Back up Bjorn Schoo has produced 3.8ppg 1.8reb in his first opportunity to play in the Bundesliga. Both young big men have potential and will get opportunity to contribute and produce under Head coach Prodanovic right now. Last season, skilled shooting guard Philipp Schwethelm (4ppg 2.1reb 33%threes) stepped up his game when given the chance. Koln hopes Pleiss and Schoo can do the same. While the young post players have a chance, veterans Guido Grunheid and Julian Terrell will be counted on to deliver. The former German National team player, Grunheid is a talented perimeter skilled forward who stretches defenses with his three point accuracy. This season Grunheid has produced 8ppg 7reb while playing through injury. The former Vanderbilt University forward Terrell has been an impact big man in the Koln frontcourt and has displayed his versatility scoring 6.4ppg with 5.1reb and 40% threes. Key role players for the 99ers include skilled shooting wing Jasmin Catovic (6.3ppg 2reb 6 for 10 threes), backup point guard Stefan Nikolic (2.8ppg 2.1reb) and versatile athletic wing Raed Moustaffa. Despite injuries and roster changes, Koln's team has earned three strong wins and are moving in the right direction as they come to Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm is excited about the return of Keith Triplett after the teams top defender missed the last three Bundesliga games due to an arm infection.
For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday marks the return of defensive star Keith Triplett who missed the last three games due to an infection in his arm. Returning to practice earlier this week, Keith has worked hard to regain his rhythm and conditioning level after missing most of the last two weeks due to the infection picked up in late October. While Keith's return to action will help the teams defense, ratiopharm Ulm also re-focused on their team defense with a strong week of work in practice. After several terrific defensive games to open the season, Ulm's last outing in Bonn was not their best defensive performance of the season. Unfortunately, Ulm backup center Michael Schroeder will miss the game after a minor muscle pull in his leg suffered last weekend in Bonn. With Schroeder out, Ulm's front court must pay extra attention to their post defense and defensive rebounding. Most important, a refocused defensive effort from Ulm is expected. Saturday night against Koln, ratiopharm Ulm aims to bounce back and Keith Triplett's return will be a big boost.
Ulm refocused on their team defense after last Saturday's performance in Bonn.
Ulm received their boost off the floor this week as both Ulm and Neu Ulm voted for a new multi-purpose arena which would be a new home for ratiopharm Ulm basketball in 2011. Ulm passed the vote 25-10 and Neu Ulm passed it 28-9 Wednesday at Edwin-Scharfes Haus in Neu Ulm. Estimations for the project are between 28 to 30 million euros. The next landmark in a long process filled with hardwork and challenges for Ulm managament led by Thomas Stoll and Andreas Oettel, this weeks vote shows fantastic support from both cities and would be a fantastic development for the entire region. Interestingly, the last landmark vote in Ulm's work for the new Arena took place last March before a Saturday home game against the very same Koln 99ers --- an Ulm home win. Ulm and Neu Ulm often think of themselves as two seperate cities in two different German states on two different sides of the beautiful European river the Donau. Ulm, the larger city on the eastern edge of Baden-Wurtemburg, and Neu-Ulm, the sister city in Bavaria, are often competitive like family and like to maintain their individual identities. But earlier this week, both cities came together for the landmark positive vote in the region's process for a new Multi-purpose Arena. Like ratiopharm Ulm's basketball team works together on the floor to meet new challenges, the two cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm are coming together with teamwork off the floor for the new Arena. The news was received with tremendous energy and enthusiasm by the entire city especially Ulm management who have worked tirelessly in the process. For ratiopharm Ulm and fans, the positive sign of the next step in the teams future off the floor is alot to be excited about!
Like ratiopharm Ulm's team, the cities of Ulm and Neu Ulm came together in a convincing positive vote in the next step for a new Arena!
Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm meets the Koln 99ers in the next step of their 2008-2009 Bundesliga season. Boosted by the return of Keith Triplett, Ulm is also energized by positive support from the cities of Ulm and Neu Ulm as the next steps in the process toward a new Arena develop. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
POSITIVE VOTE!
The cities of Ulm and Neu Ulm came together to make the next step toward a new Arena with a positive vote earlier this week. With the vote passing in both cities, the cooperative effort moves forward into the next stages which include bidding for the project which is estimated between 28 to 30 million euros. Estimated timeline begins building next year and opening the Neu-Ulm based multi-purpose arena in 2011.
KEITH TRIPLETT'S RETURN
After missing the last four Ulm games, guard Keith Triplett will return to action Saturday against Koln. Picking up an arm infection, Triplett's defensive presence was missed over Ulm's Bundesliga games against Giessen, ALBA and Bonn and also in the German Cup against Bayern Munich. A major factor in Ulm's improved defensive play and strong start, Ulm is excited about Keith's return.
TENNESSEE TRAVELERS
ratiopharm Ulm guard Lee Humphrey and Koln 99ers forward Julian Terrell are familiar with one another. Both played against each other in college as Lee played for the Florida Gators and Julian with Vanderbilt University in the powerful Southeastern Conference. But the two were actually teammates in AAU basketball with the Tennessee Travelers AAU team.
HARLEM'S FINEST
First year Koln 99er forward Robert 'Hollywood' Turner knows how to put on a show. Known for his ridiculous vertical leap , the former Harlem Globetrotter has made a spectacular impression in his first season in the Bundesliga with several highlight slams over his first 8 games of the 2008-2009 season.
U20 TEAMMATES
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther and Koln 99er talented big man Tibor Pleiss played together this past summer on the U20 German National team. Both were key parts in Germany winning their age group tournament in Romania. Pleiss has attracted attention from the NBA and current Toronto Raptors GM Brian Colangelo spent time in Koln watching Pleiss earlier this season.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain providing excellent leadership for team.
Romeo Travis: athletic F looks to regain rhythm with big game v Koln
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm go-to-guy averaging 14ppg 10.4reb this season
Keith Triplett : Ulm is excited about return of their defensive-ace
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooting G ready for 99ers
Dru Joyce: floor general playing better and better
Per Gunther: energizing rookie PG continues to improve
Dan Fitzgerald: reliable rookie F has been a key producer for Ulm O
Sean Finn: outstanding season to this point of the year
Sebastian Betz: key minutes from Ulm bench
Michael Schroeder: will miss game with minor leg strain
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Cologne Germany
Main Sponsor: Rhein Energie
Home Court: Koln Energie Dome
website: www.rheinenergie-koeln.de
2007-2008: 16-18 11th place
Playoffs: none
Offense: A system oriented team, the perimeter players will continue to be key producers for Koln. With the departure of Yassin Idbihi to Pro B Limoges in France, the 99ers will rely on two young German post players Tibor Pleiss and Bjorn Schoo for production. The scoring punch will come from the perimeter and the addition of Jamon Gordon adds another well-rounded player to the team. New Head Coach Drasko Prodanovic, provided guidance and support for Sasa Obradovic over the last few seasons and will maintain a similar style of play.
Defense: Koln is a mostly man to man team but will play some basic 2-3 zone. While the 99ers are athletic on the perimeter, they lack the inside shot-blocking presence in the paint. Young post men Pleiss and Schoo must mature physically and gain strength. Both guards Jeremy Hunt and Jamon Gordon will be key defensive players for the team.
GM: Stephan Baeck
Head Coach: Drasko Prodanovic
Players:
Jeremy Hunt: athletic scoring guard has been a top player for 99ers
Jamon Gordon: recently added G adds talent on both ends of floor
Robert Turner: former Harlem Globetrotter knows how to put on a show
Zarryon Fereti: streaky scoring guard has talent to take over game
Julian Terrell: solid and versatile forward will be key without Idbihi
Guido Grunheid: former German National team veteran 3pt shooting post.
Jasmin Catovic: smart active cutter, 3pt shooting threat from bench
Stefan Nikolic: lefty back up PG, hardworking G
Philipp Schuethelm: young German forward/ excellent shooter
Bjorn Schoo: young big man scores inside
Tibor Pleiss: young 7footer with potential
