TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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FIRST AND LAST!
ULM HOST'S NORDLINGEN IN LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Nordlingen
Saturday May 9th, 2009 7:30pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts nearby rival Nordlingen Saturday night in their season finalle. Meeting for the first time at Sportszentrum Kuhberg as Bundesliga opponents, ratiopharm Ulm and Nordlingen play their last game of the 2008-2009 regular season as all Bundesliga Game Day 34 matchups tip off at 7:30pm. While ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to their first Bundesliga playoff appearance, Nordlingen can take pride in their strong season and 'klassenerhalt' remaining in the league. Ulm's final tune-up before the post season, Saturday's 'New Derby' against Nordlingen has the excitement of a first and a last.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn finishes a hook over Nordlingen defenders in January's first meeting between the two teams.
click here for regio-tv game preview
If the first meeting of this 'new' rivalry is any indication, fans from both teams have alot to look forward to in Saturday's season finalle. January 10th, ratiopharm Ulm took a 63-54 lead into the 4th quarter only to have an inspired Nordlingen team rally to tie the score at 79 with seconds to play. Lee Humphrey's fullcourt dash up the right sideline resulted in an Osvaldo Jeanty foul sending the Ulm sharpshooter to the line for three free throws. Missing his first two to add drama and anticipation, Lee swished his third making the game winner in the exciting 80-79 ratiopharm Ulm road win. The last game of the season, Saturday's matchup features an exciting derby atmosphere for fans.
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce was outstanding in the first matchup against Nordlingen.
While ratiopharm Ulm is excited about Saturday's game against Nordlingen, the team continues to work with focus toward the 2008-2009 Bundesliga playoffs. Entering the game against Nordlingen, ratiopharm Ulm stands at 20-13 in 6th place in the Bundesliga 'Tabelle' and much remains to be settled in Bundesliga Game Day 34. At the top, ALBA Berlin hosts Ewe Baskets Oldenburg in a game that could decide the regular season champion. With ALBA, Oldenburg and Gottingen in a three way tie for first place at 25-8, the Berlin-Oldenburg game is an absolute premiere matchup with first place on the line. Gottingen travels to Paderborn who faces a must win situation. Paderborn and Artland are tied at 17-16 entering the last game as both fight for the 8th and final playoff spot. Artland hosts Frankfurt as the Dragons aim to claim the 8th seed. For ratiopharm Ulm, a win over Nordlingen and a Frankfurt loss in Artland gives Ulm the 5th playoff seed and a likely matchup against Telekom Baskets Bonn. Meanwhile, a Frankfurt win in Artland would give the 5th seed to the Skyliners creating an Ulm playoff series against Ewe Baskets Oldenburg or ALBA Berlin.
BUNDESLIGA STANDINGS HEADING INTO GAME DAY 34
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther is the Bundesliga 'Rookie of the Year'!
Nordlingen's team got off to a tremendous 4-1 start early in their first Bundesliga season. After several injuries to key players, Nordlingen dropped 6 straight games falling to 4-7. A 3-2 stretch helped Nordlingen bring a 7-9 record to their first meeting against ratiopharm Ulm. The exciting 80-79 Ulm win pushed Nordlingen to 7-10 but the hardworking Nordlingen team captured 3 wins in their next 6 games helping to solidify their position in the Bundesliga and avoiding relegation. But a recent 8 game skid put Nordlingen at 10-21 heading into their last three games. Nordlingen beat Bremerhaven 91-84 at home April 25th but lost on the road in Koln 87-68 May 4th. At 11-22, Nordlingen prepares for the last game of the regular season without pressure as they are safe to stay in the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald has enjoyed a terrific first professional season.
Nordlingen's starting lineup has been one of the pleasant surprises in the Bundesliga this season. A team that competes with tremendous heart, Nordlingen has several excellent offensive weapons including Bundesliga All Star forward Omari Westley who currently leads the Bundesliga in scoring at 15.9ppg while grabbing 7.4reb and shooting 32% from three and 63% from the foul line. Unfortunately for Nordlingen, after a fourth quarter incident in Koln Monday night which saw him receive two technical fouls and be ejected, Westley was suspended and fined by the Bundesliga forcing him to miss the last game of the season against Ulm. Osvaldo Jeanty, Nordlingen's terrific three point shooter, recently had surgery and will also miss the season finalle against Ulm. Playing without both key players Westley and Jeanty shortens an already thin bench. Currently leading the Bundesliga in three point makes, Jeanty's perimeter presence will be missed by Head coach Andreas Wagner. At small forward, Monta McGee plays with tremendous energy and point guard Danny Gibson plays with tremendous heart. Both McGee and Gibson excelled with Cuxhaven last season in Pro A and both players are extremely productive in their first Bundesliga seasons with Nordlingen. McGee is an active and mobile defender averaging 13.8ppg 8.3reb. McGee plays passing lanes and pressures the basketball well on defense and plays as an active cutter with ability to post up or face up on the perimeter. Gibson is a firey competitor producing 12.5ppg while adding 2reb and 3.3ast. Other key players include big man Brian Butch (10.5ppg 5.7reb 30% threes) and Avi Kazarnovsky (4.4ppg 2.8reb) who provide skill and depth to the front line. Three veterans add depth to the Nordlingen attack and hardworking wing Carl Mbassa, Derrick Lang and Joe Tesfaldet are reliable and skilled. Rounding out the roster, young players Josef Eischler will be counted on to provide depth replacing the curent injuries.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Keith Triplett battle for a rebound.
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm and Nordlingen tipped off their new Bundesliga rivalry with a memorable game. ratiopharm Ulm guard Lee Humphrey sank one free throw with 0.7 seconds on the clock lifting his team to an exciting 80-79 road win over Nordlingen before a sold-out Hermann-Kessler-Halle Saturday night January 10th. Capping a wild finish to an exciting game, Humphrey's free throw pushed Ulm to an 11-6 record at the Bundesliga All Star Break. Sean Finn converted 10 of 13 shots to score 20 points while Romeo Travis added 20 points to share topscoring honors for Ulm who shot 58% from the floor in the win. Controlling play and taking a 63-54 lead into the final ten minutes, ratiopharm Ulm fought off a fierce Nordlingen rally in the fourth before the thrilling finish. With fantastic fan support and tremendous energy in the gym, Ulm and Nordlingen ushered in a 'new' Bundesliga rivalry --- and Saturday night, the difference was one big point.
Click here for complete Ulm @ Nordlingen Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey sinks the game winning free throw with 0.7 seconds on the clock lifting his team to a thrilling 80-79 road win in Nordlingen.
Click here for Ulm @ Nordlingen Saturday 1-10-09 Box Score
Click here for Ulm @ Nordlingen Photo Gallery (Ulm)!
click here for Ulm @ Nordlingen Photo Gallery (Nordlingen)!
ratiopharm Ulm and Nordlingen did not met in an official regular season game for three seasons after Ulm's 'Aufsteig' into the Bundesliga in 2005-2006. Although their head to head matchups on the regular season schedule took a three year break, the teams have met every preseason and played two preseason games earlier this season. Way back on Saturday August 23rd, ratiopharm Ulm visited Hermann-Kessler-halle in Nordlingen and earned a hardfought 62-60 preseason road win. Later in the preseason's final week, Nordlingen visited Ulm's Sportszentrum Kuhberg for a scrimmage and Ulm earned a one point win thanks to Lee Humphrey's late game three pointer. As with any great local rivalry, every game is expected to close.
Click here for Complete Review of Ulm's Second Preseason week!
Ulm and Nordlingen's 2.Bundesliga South games from the 2005-2006 season were the last time the two teams met. Ulm won both games as part of their 29-1 campaign. In Ulm's trip to Hermann-Kessler-Halle, they earned a 107-83 victory. However, Nordlingen had a completely different roster and complete other team. Only Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Emeka Erege were with the team for the wins.
Game summary January 29, 2006 ratiopharm Ulm 107 Nordlingen 83
Game summary October 3, 2005 ratiopharm Ulm 106 Nordlingen 63
A beautiful throwback German town, Nordlingen is unique because of the medival city wall that still stands to protect the old part of the city and the unusual terrain in the area. Nordlingen sits in a crater valley which resulted from a pre-historic comet impacting the earth. Along with the interesting history, Nordlingen can be described as a small German town with a big basketball heart.
Lee Humphrey finishing a drive against Bremerhaven.
On the floor, Nordlingen has been a consistent opponent for Taylorhoops.com dating all the way back to the Chemnitz 99er regionaliga Sud-Ost season of 2001-2002. Playing in the then German 3rd division, Chemnitz and Nordlingen surfaced as the leagues top two teams in a dual for an 'Aufsteig' into the 2.Bundesliga South. A fantastic late season race that resulted in a true 'championship' game the last game of the season, the 99ers topped Nordlingen 105-96 in Chemnitz earning promotion into the second division. The next season, Nordlingen followed by winning the 2002-2003 regionaliga Sud-Ost title. From 2003-2004 through 2005-2006, Ulm and Nordlingen met twice each season and once in the 2003-2004 German Cup. As a result of these on-court meetings, Nordlingen and its unique basketball-minded medival town have always held a special place with Taylorhoops.com. A positive working-cooperation exists between the organizations as well with both ratiopharm Ulm and Nordlingen teaming up to provide opportunitites for young talents in the NBBL. Several young players travel the hour plus south from Nordlingen to Ulm each week to play for Ulm's Rainer Bauer coached NBBL team. Nordlingen head coach Andreas Wagner and assistant Georg Eischler were in Las Vegas this summer with the ratiopharm Ulm staff and spent friendly time together at several showcase camps and the NBA Summer League. Certainly, the close proximity, recent history and familiarity add up to make Saturday night an exciting 'new derby'. After the memorable one point game between Ulm and Nordlingen back in January, Saturday's last regular season game has the added excitement of Ulm-Nordlingen's first Bundesliga meeting at Sportszentrum Kuhberg
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis will be back in action after missing last week with a toe injury.
As ratiopharm Ulm closes their successful regular season with Saturday's home game against local rival Nordlingen, the team looks ahead to next weeks playoffs. The exciting 2008-2009 Bundesliga season has come down to the final Game Day 34 with playoff position, first place and the 8th and final playoff spot up for grabs.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain showing good leadership
Romeo Travis: a key matchup in game v Nordlingen
Jeff Gibbs: 1st team all Bundesliga Power forward
Keith Triplett : ulm defensive ace playing key role in team
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter 2nd in Bundesliga in 3pt makes
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general outstanding in Jan game v Nordlingen
Per Gunther: Rookie of the Year in the Bundesliga this season
Dan Fitzgerald: rookie forward key part of Ulm attack
Sean Finn: Great game v Nordlingen in January
Sebastian Betz: has enjoyed excellent season
Michael Schroeder: big man adds physical defense and rebounding
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Nordlingen, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Hermann-Kessler-Halle
website:
www.noerdlinger-basketball.de
2007-2008: Pro A Champions
Offense: An athletic team, Nordlingen features the versatile in-out scoring from Omari Westley and terrific perimeter shooting of Osvaldo Jeanty as primary weapons. The energy and versatility of Monta McGee cutting, making plays in transition and on the offensive boards adds an underrated aspect to the offense. Crafty PG Danny Gibson pushes the ball in transition and looks to take the big shot. Recently added post man Brian Butch will give the team another option in the post and hardworking Ty Shaw scores with effort, cutting and toughness on the offensive boards. Nordlingen features an offense with backscreens and slice cuts resulting in post and perimeter options. Nordlingen has excelled this season at creating offense from their defense.
Defense: Defensively Nordlingen has demonstrated excellent effort and teamwork. Nordlingen has changed defenses effectively mixing in fullcourt denial man to man and an aggressive 1-2-2 halfcourt trap into zone. The teams athletic starting lineup (in particular McGee) play with energy and mobility making their pressure defense very effective.
GM: Jurgen Kohl
Head Coach: Andreas Wagner
Players:
Omari Westley: Bundesliga All Star suspended after two T's in Koln
Osvaldo Jeanty: injured v Bremerhaven will miss last game v Ulm
Danny Gibson: crafty PG looks to take big shots
Monta McGee: underrated energy player with great versatility
Ty Shaw: hardworking post man who adds toughness despite small size
Carl Mbassa: hardworking defender/also adds leadership
Joe Tesfaldet: veteran PG provides depth
Derrick Lang: adds depth and shooting
Brian Butch: skilled big man with 3pt range
Avi Kazarnovski: veteran 2.Bundesliga post man/
Josef Eichler: young post man gaining experience
