TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
'SPITZENSPIEL' AT KUHBERG!
Ulm Hosts Top Team from Oldenburg!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Ewe Baskets Oldenburg
Saturday Febuary 21, 2009 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
In Germany, a 'Spitzenspiel' is an exciting matchup between two hot teams that provides tremendous entertainment and attracts much interest from basketball fans. This weekend, ratiopharm Ulm's next challenge presents itself Saturday as powerful Ewe Baskets Oldenburg visit Sportszentrum Kuhberg for a 'Spitzenspiel' in Ulm. One of the best and most consistent teams in the Bundesliga this year, the Thunderbirds bring an excellent 16-5 record to Kuhberg and have been 'Tabellenfuhrer' several weeks this season. Led by the talented backcourt of point guard Jason Gardner, shooting guard Je'Kel Foster and small forward Rickey Paulding, Oldenburg topped 14-7 Ulm twice this season 80-75 October 18th and 82-70 November 19th knocking Ulm out of the German Cup. With energy and momentum from last weekends win, ratiopharm Ulm is ready to take on a top Bundesliga team Ewe Baskets Oldenburg Saturday night in a 'Spitzenspiel' at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs
click here for regio-tv report
click here for link to Oldenburg photo gallery from 10-18-08
click here for link to Oldenburg photo gallery from 11-19-08
Saturdays game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg shapes up to be an excellent matchup between the Bundesliga's 2nd place and 4th place team. Enthusiasm and energy have filled the city of Ulm all week as fans have already sold out the ticketsales for Saturdays game. Oldenburg ranks second in points per game scoring 80.2ppg while Ulm averages 78.3 to rank third. Oldenburg ranks second in three point shooting percentage (37%) while Ulm is 3rd and Oldenburg ranks as the 2nd most effecient team in the Bundesliga compared to Ulm at number three.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald was outstanding in last Sundays hardfought road win over the Deutsche Bank Skyliners.
Earlier this season, Oldenburg beat ratiopharm Ulm twice, once in the German Cup and once in the Bundesliga game schedule. Starting slowly on Wednesday night November 19th in a German Cup game against the Thunderbirds, ratiopharm Ulm spent most of the game digging out of their first quarter hole only to fall short in the end as Ewe Baskets Oldenburg eliminated Ulm 82-70 at Ewe Arena. In the first quarter, ratiopharm Ulm could not get a bounce as they made 4 of 18 shots while watching Oldenburg build a 25-10 lead before Ulm could get the lid off. Ulm bounced back trimming the halftime lead to 45-35 and pulling within 6 in the second half. Oldenburg's excellent three point shooting and timely scoring kept Ulm's comeback attempt at bay as the Thunderbirds earned the win bouncing ratiopharm Ulm out of the German Cup. Center Sean Finn led Ulm with a strong 18 point 11 rebound double double while Jeff Gibbs added 14 points 7 boards and Lee Humphrey 12 points in the loss.
Jeff Gibbs powers his way to two points earlier this season against the tough Oldenburg defense.
Click here for 11-19-08 Ulm @ Oldenburg German Cup Game Summary!
One month earlier in a regular season Bundesliga game, 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.
Sebasitan Betz goes strong to the basket earlier this season in Oldenburg.
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 small forward Romeo Travis
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.
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce!
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.
ratiopharm Ulm's Keith Triplett finishes at the rim in last weekends road win against the Deutsche Bank Skyliners in Frankfurt.
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 14.6ppg 3.3reb 4.2ast 85%FT. Former Missouri Tiger and Detroit Pistons 2nd round NBA draft pick Rickey Paudling also returns as a star for the Thunderbirds. Paulding produces 14.3ppg 4.4reb and has hit 39 for 81 (48%) threes this year. Completing the outstanding Oldenburg backcourt, former Ludwigsburg star, Je'kel Foster joins the Thunderbirds and scores 13.6ppg 3.2reb 2.5ast and 34% from three (39-114). 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 7.8ppg 5.1reb and is shooting 74%FT on the early season. Big man Milan Majstorovic (6.6ppg 3.5reb) 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 (9.1ppg 5.6reb 32%threes) provides firepower and new forward Marko Scekic (7.9ppg 3.2reb) 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 23 games in the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season, Oldenburg's 16-5 mark has them among the top teams in the league!
ratiopharm Ulm shaprshooter Lee Humphrey scans the defense despite being trapped in Oldenburg earlier this season.
A recent 7 game winning streak pushed the Thunderbirds to the top of the Bundesliga standings. Although their winning streak was snapped Thursday night in Gottingen, Oldenburg enters Saturdays game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg with the most wins in the Bundesliga to this point in the year. 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. Oldenburg knocked Ulm out of the German Cup on November 19th with an 82-70 home win. On November 22nd, Oldenburg beat Bamberg 76-73 at home and then won two more games topping Braunschweig 72-70 November 28th in Braunschweig and beating Dusseldorf 84-73 at home December 7th. December 13th, Oldenburg lost big in Frankfurt 84-53 but bounced back to beat Artland Dragons 92-73 December 20th to finish their pre-Christmas schedule 11-4. The road victory over Artland triggered a 7 game win streak which lasted until Thursday nights road loss in Gottingen. During their hot mid-season stretch, Oldenburg won 82-79 over Tubingen January 3rd at home, beat ALBA Berlin 81-72 January 10th at home, won 83-70 in Giessen January 24th, topped Telekom Baskets Bonn 91-73 January 31st at home, edged Koln 99ers 80-77 Febuary 8th at Rheinenergie Dome and waxed Bremerhaven 102-75 in a North Derby Febuary 12th at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg. After running several weeks as 'Tabellenfuhrer' in first place, Oldenburg saw their seven game win streak snapped Thursday night in Gottingen as the Violets beat Oldenburg 79-66. Entering Saturday nights game in Ulm with a 16-5 record, Ewe Baskets Oldenburg remain among top teams in the Bundesliga and currently are tied for the most wins this season.
ratiopgharm Ulm's center Sean Finn has a history of excellent games against Oldenburg.
Along with their successful Bundesliga run, Head coach Predrag Krunic has guided the Thunderbirds along a terrific international campaign in this seasons Eurochallenge. Advancing into Group J, Oldenburg currently is 1-2 against La Fortezza (France), BC Kyiv (Ukraine) and Galatassaray (Turkey). In the early round, Oldenburg beat BC Cluj 86-60 in Romania October 1th. A week later in the rematch October 21st, the Thunderbirds swept BC Cluj with a 77-72 win at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg. November 4th Oldenburg blasted Banja Luka 76-46 at Ewe Arena and then tied Banja Luka 74-74 in the rematch November 11th in Banja Luka. November 25th Oldenburg edged Olympia Larissa 76-73 at Ewe Arena and were edged 76-73 December 2nd by EclipseJet Amsterdam in Amsterdam. Oldenburg bounced back to beat Hapoel Jerusalem 88-81 December 7th in Jerusalem. The next week in Greece, Oldenburg dropped an 89-75 decision December 16th to Olympia Larissa in Larissa. January 6th the Thunderbirds beat EclipseJet Amsterdam 78-62 at Ewe Arena and followed that with a 79-70 January 13th win over Hapoel Jerusalem at Ewe Arena. BC Kyiv came into Oldenburg and earned a hardfought 86-73 road victory January 27th at Ewe Arena. Febuary 3rd Oldenburg captured a quality road win edging Virtus Bologna 82-81 in Bologna Italy. In their most recent international action Febuary 10th, Galatassaray topped Oldenburg 93-85 at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg. The teams remaining EuroChallenge schedule includes games Febuary 24th at BC Kyiv in the Ukraine, March 3rd Virtus Bologna at Ewe Arena and March 10th Galatassary Istanbul in Turkey.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther
For ratiopharm Ulm, last weekends road win over Deutsche Bank Skyliners was a tremendous step forward for the 14-7 team. But with the next big challenge presenting itself immediately in the form of Ewe Baskets Oldenburg, ratiopharm Ulm has quickly turned their attention forward to the challenges ahead rather than look back on the achievements from behind. With two games against Oldenburg to draw experiences from, ratiopharm Ulm will need to bring an outstanding effort to the floor Saturday night. Emphasizing a complete game, Ulm's team is excited about the 'Spitzenspiel' at Sportszentrum Kuhberg that has been created.
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: ready for excellent matchup against Rickey Paulding
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm All Star PF a key to inside attack v Thunderbirds
Keith Triplett : Ulm defensive star has been in top form recently
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter drilled 2 clutch 3s to key win in Frankfurt
Dru Joyce: floor general ready for challenge vs Jason Gardner
Per Gunther: excellent rookie pg boosted Ulm in Frankfurt
Dan Fitzgerald: excellent game in Frankfurt keyed Ulm road win
Sean Finn: played well last three games v Oldenburg!
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing solid for ratiopharm Ulm!
Michael Schroeder:
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
