TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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GERMAN CUP CLASH!
Ulm opens North Sea Road Trip in Oldenburg
German Cup Round 2
ratiopharm Ulm @ Ewe Baskets Oldenburg
Wednesday November 19, 2008 8pm
Ewe Arena Oldenburg, Germany
The German Cup presents fantastic challenges every season and the win-to-advance format of the tournament creates intense excitement every game. Wednesday night, ratiopharm Ulm faces the next big challenge as they travel to Oldenburg for a German Cup Sweet 16 game against Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 8pm at Ewe Arena. The first of two games up north, ratiopharm Ulm's North Sea Road trip tips off with a German Cup clash that with everything on the line for both teams.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs has his sights set on the challenges ahead on the 'North Sea'!
The German Cup has played out as always with exciting basketball throughout the season. Round 2 is equivalent to the Sweet 16 stage of the tournament which begins with lower level teams competing and advancing step for step ultimately culminating with the Top 4 tournament played in Hamburg Germany at Color Line Arena Febuary 28th and March 1st, 2009.
In the Sweet 16 round, Bundesliga teams competing internationally make their first appearance in the competition which will take place Wednesday November 19th and Thursday November 20th. ratiopharm Ulm visits Ewe Baskets Oldenburg for an 8pm tip Wednesday the 19th while Artland Dragons host NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig, Telekom Baskets Bonn entertain LTi Giessen 46ers and MiddleDeutscher Basketball Club from the Pro A host Giants Dusseldorf in 7:30pm tipoffs Wednesday. ALBA Berlin also hosts EnBW Ludwigsburg in a rematch of Berlin's lone Bundesliga loss this regular season. Thursday November 20th, Deutsche Bank Skyliners host Nordlingen at 7:30pm at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt and one week later Paderborn Baskets host Trier in an 8pm tip off November 26th. Winners from the upcoming games advance to the next round of the German Cup which will be played Wednesday January 21st, 2009.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Dru Joyce has been in excellent form over the last month.
Wednesday nights German Cup Sweet 16 matchup is an early season rematch for Ulm and Oldenburg. Earlier this season, Oldenburg edged ratiopharm Ulm 80-75 in an intensely competitive game at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg Saturday October 18th. ratiopharm Ulm trailed by 16 points in the third quarter of their Game Day 5 road game at Ewe Arena against Ewe Baskets Oldenburg. A powerful third quarter push from the Thunderbirds gave the home team momentum and the double-digit lead. But Ulm had been there before. Last season, the team trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter before staging an amazing comeback and miracle win capped by Emeka Erege's halfcourt shot. Rallying around their belief, ratiopharm Ulm stormed back in an exciting fourth quarter comeback to even the game at 74 with 46 seconds to play. Oldenburg's star point guard Jason Gardner made the difference with a skillful three point play and two clutch free throws to seal the Thunderbirds exciting 80-75 win.
Click here for 10-18-08 Ulm @ Oldenburg Game Summary!
Last season, Ulm and Oldenburg split two games with teams winning on the road. Basketball fans were witness to a truly amazing sports moment of pure athletic drama -- Emeka Erege's halfcourt game winning buzzer beater capped ratiopharm Ulm's tremendous comeback win over Ewe Baskets Oldenburg last season at Ewe Arena. Trailing by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, Ulm stormed back and stole the road win with the miracle finish thanks to Emeka's golden touch. Certainly both teams remember the amazing ending to last years matchup at Ewe Arena.
click here for Ulm @ Oldenburg December 9th, 2008 Game Summary!
Emeka Erege and Ulm celebrate the captains miracle halfcourt game winner in Oldenburg last season!
Emeka's Shot on Youtube
Emeka Erege's Buzzer Beater in Oldenburg December 9, 2007
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald has been an impact player in his teams attack all season long.
Last year, Head coach Predrag Krunic rallied his Ewe Baskets Oldenburg team after a slow start and the Thunderbirds developed into one of the Bundesliga's most improved and best teams. The Thunderbirds raced to a fantastic 10 game win streak midseason helping them rise up the standings. Finishing the season strong at 21-14 and in fourth place, Oldenburg advanced to the semi-finals of the Bundesliga playoffs before falling 3 games to 1 to eventual champion ALBA Berlin.
Lock-down defender Keith Triplett has played with tremendous intensity and energy for ratiopharm Ulm!
Late last season, a determined Oldenburg team marched into Sportszentrum Kuhberg and earned a hardfought 90-82 victory April 12th, 2008. Ulm's Sean Finn enjoyed one of his best performances of the season posting a strong 17 point 12 rebound double double while Jeff Gibbs added 17 points 9 boards in the tight loss. However, the star of the game went to Oldenburg's Rickey Paulding who went to work against the Ulm defense for 30 points in a terrific scoring display.
Click here for April 12, 2008 Ulm v Oldenburg Game Summary!
In the 2007-2008 season Ulm and Oldenburg split two meetings with both teams protecting their home court. ratiopharm Ulm earned their first Bundesliga win with a 91-77 victory at Sportszentrum Kuhberg over the slow starting Thunderbirds. After reinforcing their squad and getting healthy, veteran head coach Don Beck and his Oldenburg team made a playoff push late in the season and collected a 90-78 home win over Ulm January 20th at Ewe Arena. For game summaries from 2006-2007, click the links below:
October 11, 2006 ratiopharm Ulm 91 Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 77
January 20, 2007 Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 90 ratiopharm Ulm 78
Ewe Baskets Oldenburg and ratiopharm Ulm have split four games over the last two years and Saturday night at Ewe Arena both teams look to rise to the challenge in the next head to head matchup.
Guard Lee Humphrey shows his text-book shooting form that has boosted ratiopharm Ulm's perimeter attack this season!
Oldenburg's team features an All Star backcourt with outstanding point guard Jason Gardner running the show. A top point guard in the Bundesliga for the last two seasons, the former Arizona Wildcat averages 13.4ppg 3.2reb 4.2ast 89%FT through 10 games. Former Missouri Tiger and Detroit Pistons 2nd round NBA draft pick Rickey Paudling also returns as a star for the Thunderbirds. Paulding produces 12.8ppg 4.8reb and has hit 16 for 34 (45%) threes this year. Completing the outstanding Oldenburg backcourt, former Ludwigsburg star, Je'kel Foster joins the Thunderbirds and scores 13.2ppg 2.9reb 2.7ast and 36% from three (16-44). Together, Gardner, Foster and Paulding rank among the top backcourts in the Bundesliga this year. Active cutting and perimeter shooting threat Miladin Pekovic gives Oldenburg depth and a reliable outside shooter from the bench. Balancing the Oldenburg attack, Head Coach Predrag Krunic has assembled an experienced frontcourt with size, depth and skill. Former Portland Trailblazer and Georgetown Hoya Ruben Boumtje Boumtje anchors down the middle for Oldenburg. Boumtje Boumtje averages 7.1ppg 5.8reb and is shooting 74%FT on the early season. Big man Milan Majstorovic (5.9ppg 3reb) is in top condition and has been an underrated player on the Oldenburg team. From the bench, last seasons inside-out scoring threat Jasmin Perkovic (9ppg 5.9reb) provides firepower and new forward Marko Scekic (7.6ppg 3.1reb) provides energy. Finally, three point threats guard Marco Buljevic and forward Daniel Strauch give Oldenburg accuracy from beyond the three point arc from the bench. Overall, the talented perimeter combined with the size, depth and experience in the paint, make Oldenburg a team with tremendous potential. After nine games in the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season, Oldenburg's 6-3 mark has them in second place!
Center Sean Finn looks forward to the challenges in the paint against Oldenburg's excellent big men Ruben Boumtje Boumtje and Milan Majstorovic.
This season, Oldenburg opened with a big win blasting Giessen 91-64 at Ewe Arena Saturday night September 20th. Miladin Pekovic scored 22 points to lead Thunderbird scoring. Oldenburg lost a tight 65-62 road game against powerful Telekom Baskets Bonn at Telekom Dome Saturday October 27th evening their record at 1-1. Je'kel Foster topped the Oldenburg scorers with 16 points. A last second layup from Koln guard Zarryon Fereti helped the 99ers steal a 75-73 win over Oldenburg at Ewe Arena October 4th. Oldenburg evened their record at 2-2 with an 89-75 derby win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven Sunday October 12th in Bremen. Je'kel Foster starred again with a terrific 23 point performance. Continuing their run, Oldenburg opened their Europe Cup campaign with a convincing 86-60 road win over Romanian team
Mobitelco Cluj Tuesday night October 14th. The backcourt of Rickey Paulding (20 points), Je'kel Foster (18 points) and Jason Gardner (15 points) keyed the win. Oldenburg topped Ulm 80-75 Saturday October 18th and won their next three games beating EnBW Ludwigsburg 75-65 October 26th, topped Paderborn 82-69 November 1st and beat Nordlingen 85-78 November 8th. Last weekend, Oldenburg dropped a tight 72-70 road game at Trier Arena November 16th.
Ulm's Romeo Travis is ready for the next challenge against the second place Ewe Baskets from Oldenburg!
ratiopharm Ulm's home win Saturday over Koln featured excellent production and several big shots from a number of different players. With Momentum from the exciting 90-88 victory, Ulm travels north for the German Cup game in Oldenburg with energy and enthusiasm. ratiopharm Ulm's returning players also bring their experiences from last years German Cup which saw the team beat Trier on the road, Paderborn at home before falling to ALBA Berlin in a classic double-overtime game. Ulm has reached the Elite 8 round of the German Cup both seasons in the Bundesliga but have not broken through to the Top Four tournament in Hamburg. Taking games one at a time, Ulm's next challenge is clear facing the outstanding Oldenburg team Wednesday night.
ratiopharm Ulm looks for a strong team effort Wednesday night.
For ratiopharm Ulm, Wednesdays German Cup game tips off the first of their two-game five day north sea road trip. Ulm will stay in Oldenburg practicing Thursday and Friday at the Ewe Baskets practice facility before traveling to Bremerhaven for a Saturday practice and Sunday's Bundesliga game against Eisbaren Bremerhaven.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Emeka's Shot on Youtube
Emeka Erege's Buzzer Beater in Oldenburg December 9, 2007
SPLITS
ratiopharm Ulm and Ewe Baskets Oldenburg have split four games over the last two seasons. In 2006-2007 both teams protected their home court with wins while last year both Ulm and Oldenburg earned hardfought road wins against each other.
10 Game Win Streak!
Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 10 game win streak helped them rise up the Bundesliga standings last season. Head coach Predrag Krunic and his Thunderbirds enjoyed the longest winning streak in the Bundesliga last year.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL FANS
Basketball fans who follow NCAA basketball will certainly recognize several names for both teams Saturday night. While Ulm features several recognizeable names, Oldenburg has point guard Jason Gardner (Arizona), shooting guard Je'kel Foster (Ohio State), small forward Rickey Paulding (Missouri) and center Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (Georgetown) on their team.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain made miracle shot last season
Romeo Travis: versatile F ready for challenge v Oldenburg's wings
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm All Star focused to advance in the German Cup!
Keith Triplett : Ulm defensive star made impact in return v Koln!
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter drilled 5 3's to topscore v Koln with 19pt
Dru Joyce: floor general in excellent form over last month
Per Gunther: excellent rookie pg looks for rematch in Oldenburg!
Dan Fitzgerald: has been one of best rookie forwards in Bundesliga
Sean Finn: played well last two games v Oldenburg!
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing solid for ratiopharm Ulm!
Michael Schroeder:returning from leg injury for Cup game
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Oldenburg, Germany
Main Sponsor: Ewe
Home Court: EWE Arena
website: www.ewe-baskets.de
2007-2008: 21-13 4th place
Offense: With an all star filled backcourt, the strength of the Oldenburg attack revolves around PG Jason Gardner, new shooting guard Je'kel Foster and former Detroit Pistons 2nd round NBA Draft Pick Rickey Paulding. Combined the three stars make the Thunderbirds tough to stop. The team excells in transition and with Gardner quarterbacking the offense, plays quality basketball in the halfcourt as well. Inside, big men Ruben Boumtje Boumtje and Milan Majstorovic provide a scoring presence while Jasmin Perkovic is a terrific inside-out scoring threat. Last season, Oldenburg enjoyed a ten game win streak as the team really came together. This year, the team has potential to be better with the addition of Foster and a season experience playing together.
Defense: A fundamental and solid defensive team, an athletic perimeter is supported by terrific size in the paint with shot blocking big man Boumtje Boumtje defending the rim. Paudling and Foster have tremendous ability to create steals, cause turnovers and spark transition by playing passing lanes. A physical inside presence and depth in the front court have this seasons edition of Oldenburg focused for another deep playoff run.
GM:
Head Coach: Predrag Krunic
Players:
Jason Gardner: outstanding PG runs things for Oldenburg
Je'kel Foster: excellent shooting guard/former Ludwigsburg star
Rickey Paulding: former Missouri Tiger gave Ulm 30 last season
Milan Majstorovic: 6'10 Serbian C in top shape this year
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje: C is experienced and excellent shot blocker
Jasmin Perkovic: powerful Croatian 4man/skilled in-out scorer
Mladin Pekovic: Serbian swing man/terrific 3pt shooter
Marko Scekic: newly added active big man/energy player/
Daniel Hain: young German wing from Hertener Lowen
Marco Buljevic: 3pt shooting wing/young german talent
Daniel Strauch: pick n pop 3pt spot shooting/rebounding German post
