TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM ENTERTAINS PADERBORN SUNDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs digibu Baskets Paderborn
Sunday December 16, 2007 5pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
Sunday evening ratiopharm Ulm will entertain digibu Baskets Paderborn for a 5pm tip at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Ulm's final action before a short Christmas break, Sunday's matchup between fellow "Aufsteigers" from last season can be seen live online all over the world on BBL.TV using www.sportdigital.tv . Entering Sunday's game on a 5 game winning streak, ratiopharm Ulm brings momentum from Thursdays road win against run and gun BG74 Gottingen to the floor. Meanwhile, Paderborn rallies around the fact that their team is finally completely healthy and together after dealing with much adversity in the seasons opening month. Sunday night in Ulm, there will be exciting Bundesliga entertainment!
ratiopharm Ulm celebrates their fifth straight wins saluting the fans Thursday night at Lokhalle in Gottingen. Ulm takes on digibu Baskets Paderborn Sunday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in a game that can be seen live on BBL.TV (www.sportdigital.tv)
Since topping TBB Trier, ratiopharm Ulm has rolled to 5 straight wins including their 3 consecutive victories on the road running their record to 8-4. Currently in 5th place entering Sunday's final action before an 9 day Christmas Break, ratiopharm Ulm has positioned themselves well with their recent rise. After Emeka Erege's amazing halfcourt game winner in Oldenburg, the team has been energized as they approached the next challenges. Thursdays road win in Gottingen kept the team rolling and all anticipate their return home to Sportszentrum Kuhberg where they are one of two Bundesliga teams remaining unbeaten (ALBA Berlin as the other).
Ulm All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs was a force in the paint against Gottingen scoring a game best 21 points along with a game high 17 rebounds.
Last season, Ulm and Paderborn rose into the Bundesliga together. Like brothers, the organizations earned promotion to Germany's premiere basketball league by winning Second league championships in 2005-2006. While Ulm won the 2.Bundesliga South in 2005-2006, Paderborn captured the 2.Bundesliga North and the two teams quickly asserted themselves in the Bundesliga the next season. Early in their Bundesliga experience, both "Aufsteigers" met in Ulm on October 20th where ratiopharm Ulm earned a home win. Later in the season, in a game seen live on Premiere TV, Paderborn protected their homecourt with a convincing victory over ratiopharm Ulm. Click the links below for Game Summaries from the two games:
Febuary 25th Game Summary
October 20th Game Summary
With both Ulm and Paderborn earning home wins against each other last season, the two teams firmly established a solid position last year finishing 16-18. Paderborn won three straight games down the stretch to finish strong in their rookie campaign. The natural rivalry between these two organizations who made the jump up to the Bundesliga at the same time will open chapter two Sunday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm's Konrad Wysocki and Jeff Gibbs have been outstanding on the boards!
Paderborn's season began with adversity as several key injuries put Head Coach Doug Spradley and his team shorthanded. Along with significant injuries during the preseason, veteran three point shooter and team leader Steve Esterkamp missed a month of early action with injury. Paderborn tipped off the new season dropping 4 straight games losing opening night October 6th 74-72 at historic Wilhelm Dopatka Halle in Leverkusen in the closing seconds. October 12th, reigning German champion and Euroleague team brose Baskets Bamberg beat Paderborn 83-60 at Gerry Weber Stadium in Paderborn and one week later Telekom Baskets Bonn also earned a win in Paderborn beating the Baskets 77-72 October 19th. The injuries continued the next week in Tubingen when scoring guard Malik Moore was bumped at halfcourt and missed several weeks with a leg muscle problem. Tubingen topped Paderborn 81-63 October 21st and Paderborn was 0-4. Reacting to the injuries, Paderborn added athletic wing Alhaji Mohammed and the next week live on BBL.TV, the team beat NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 67-59 October 25th behind a double double of 18 points 12 rebounds from Greg Jenkins. November 3rd at Rundesporthalle in Ludwigsburg, Paderborn came up just short in a 94-90 loss to EnBW Ludwigsburg despite a fantastic 33 point explosion from PG Tim Black. November 10th, Artland Dragons beat Paderborn 76-63 at Artland Arena. While the team looked to settle their situation, starting post man Greg Jenkins returned home for a family emergency and missed several games. It is safe to say no Bundesliga team faced more early season adversity than Paderborn. But November 17th Paderborn beat Giessen 89-80 in Giessen as Malik Moore topscored with 26 points. The team followed it up with an amazing 97-96 comeback win over BG74 Gottingen. In the closing moment, trailing by two, Paderborn's Jason Edwin was fouled attempting a game winning three pointer with 1 second left. Edwin cooly sank all three free throws to give Paderborn a storybook home victory. After the back to back wins, Paderborn met back to back tough teams losing 93-91 to ALBA Berlin December 1st at Max Schmelling Arena and then falling 86-79 at home in overtime to Koln December 7th. Both the ALBA and Koln games were fantastic team efforts from Paderborn who are finally completely healthy and together as they enter Sportszentrum Kuhberg for Sunday's game.
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Ulm's EJ Gallup is among the Bundesliga's best three point shooters!
The Paderborn attack is a fast paced offense featuring two excellent scoring guards and terrific three point shooters. Team leader Tim Black is currently second in the Bundesliga scoring charts averaging 21.2ppg with 2.7reb and 4.1ast. Black also shoots 80% from the foul line and 38% from behind the arc. An excellent playmaker and competitor, Black likes to take big shots and has been a go to player for Paderborn for years. Along with Black in the backcourt, Paderborn's Malik Moore has been impressive this season. Averaging 10.4ppg 3.1reb and 3.4ast while shooting 38% from three and 79% from the foul line, Moore and Black are lightning quick with ability to create for themselves or others. The shooters on the receiving end of the Black or Moore penetrate and pitch plays are veteran Steve Esterkamp who has battled through injuries to produce 9.6ppg 1.8reb 1.8ast in 8 games this year. Esterkamp is a proven player and when he finds his rhythm will once again be a factor for Paderborn. Meanwhile, Jason Edwin has made his mark with his new team helping them win over Gottingen with the clutch foul shooting. Aside from the game winners from the free throw line, Edwin has averaged 6.4ppg 1.8reb and shot 37% from three. Injury replacement Alhaji Mohammed is a fantastic athlete who has produced 8.3ppg 2reb and shot 33% from three in his 7 games since joining Paderborn. In the post, Paderborn starts athletic big man Greg Jenkins. Averaging 10.1ppg and 7.3reb, Jenkins has returned to the team after heading home to New York City to deal with a family emergency. His return has boosted the Paderborn inside presence. Along with Jenkins, veteran German forward Marius Nolte brings energy and effort from his power forward spot. Nolte produces 8.2ppg 4.7reb and plays extremely physical for his team. Athletic forward Nathan Peavy has scored 7.6ppg 4reb and an accurate 5 for 10 from three this year. The rookie from Miami University in Ohio is a versatile talent with excellent potential. Finally, rookie Billy Ray McDaniel provides Paderborn an inside-outside threat from the bench. McDaniel has averaged 4.7ppg 3.7reb while shooting 31% from three. Christoph Hackenesch and young talent Thomas Gajda round out the roster. After dealing with tremendous adversity in the form of injury and off court situations, Paderborn is currently coming together and on the right track. With over half a season ahead, look for Doug Spradley and his men to make their move.
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Ulm PG Kyle Bailey has helped his team turn the corner and put together a strong five game winning streak!
ratiopharm Ulm returns home to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for their first appearance since December 1st. Sunday, live on BBL.TV, the Ulm fans will welcome back Bryan Lucas who missed last home game as he was with wife Jane for the birth of their newborn son Hudson. Without question, the Ulm crowd will be happy to see their hardworking post man. Along with excitement of the addition to the Lucas family, the Ulm fans will also have their first chance to salute captain Emeka Erege for his halfcourt game winner in Oldenburg. An expected sellout crowd should pack Sportszentrum Kuhberg for Sunday's final home game before Christmas.
Ulm rookie Point guard Dru Joyce was a key to victory Thursday night in Gottingen scoring 10 points and sinking a perfect 6 for 6 from the foul line. The Akron product also did a fantastic job handling the Gottingen pressure and organizing the Ulm attack.
ratiopharm Ulm's balanced attack and team approach has resulted in excellent production from the starting five, but the teams bench has also stepped up when called upon. Thursday in Gottingen, it was Dru Joyce who played a terrific game as a young floor general handling ballpressure and executing the offense. Forward Florian Mobius also made his mark on the game with a solid all around performance. Captain Emeka Erege buried a clutch corner three in the fourth quarters decisive phase as well. Throughout the season C Sean Finn and wings Sebastian Betz and Jan Sprunken have also been factors at important times. Together, the end result has been a solid five game win streak for ratiopharm Ulm and the team is excited about the chance to extend it to six Sunday against Paderborn.
Ulm forward Florian Mobius played an important part of the teams bench production Thursday night in Gottingen. Here Mobius grabs a rebound in the second quarter. Later, Flo would can a clutch corner three.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
BBL.TV!
ratiopharm Ulm's game can be seen live on BBL.TV Sunday 5pm against digibu Baskets Paderborn December 16th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. It will be the third consecutive TV game for ratiopharm Ulm.
EMEKA'S BUZZER BEATER ON YOUTUBE! Basketball fans from all over the world can re-live the magic of Emeka Erege's amazing halfcourt buzzer beating game winner from Oldenburg Sunday on YOUTUBE. Go to www.youtube.com and search "BBL 2007/08: Ulm - Oldenburg Buzzerbeater"
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain leading by example for his team!!
Kyle Bailey: excellent matchup against talented Tim Black Sunday
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star powered 21pt 17reb in Gottingen!
Bryan Lucas: makes first appearance at Kuhberg since birth of son!
Konrad Wysocki: Excellent game in Gottingen 13pt 10reb!!
Dru Joyce: tremendous game in Gottingen for rookie PG!
Florian Mobius: quality minutes from bench Thursday night!
EJ Gallup: Ulm 3pt threat making big shots and big plays!
Sean Finn: Ulm big man ready to battle Paderborn posts in the paint
Sebastian Betz: young wing improving and having fun!!
Jan Sprunken: Jan the Gun taking aim at Paderborn'!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Paderborn, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Sportzentrum Maspernplatz
website: www.paderborn-baskets.de
2006-2007: 16-18 11th place Bundesliga
Offense: Like ratiopharm Ulm, Paderborn rose to the Bundesliga last season and immediately established themselves as a competitive team. Now in the second season, the challenge is to continue to grow and develop within the league. Paderborn successfully played with a small lineup at times last season and will feature guards Tim Black, Steve Esterkamp and Malik Moore this year. Fans can expect big things from Moore who has been a top player in US minor leagues the last few seasons. Jason Edwin comes off a fantastic summer playing for his home country Virgin Islands and will be a key addition to Paderborn this season. Nathan Peavy and big man Anthony Washington also will make a significant impact. Although Washington begins the season dealing with an injury, when he returns, the big man from Portland State will bolster the Paderborn block on both ends. Rookie Forwards Greg Jenkins, Nathan Peavy and Billy McDaniel all look to add positives to the Paderborn team.
Defense: 6 new faces mean adjustments to the team and Head Coach Doug Spradley will work tirelessly to help his team move forward. The post depth looks to be better this season. When Washington returns, his size in combination with Nolte's physical presence should improve Paderborn's defensive post play. Overall, expect the solid, fundamental Paderborn team to take steps forward throughout the season.
GM:
Head Coach: Doug Spradley
Players:
Tim Black : top PG talent healthy to start this season
Steve Esterkamp: multiskilled wing is key for Paderborn
Malik Moore: excellent scoring G should spark new team
Jason Edwin: terrific summer playing with Virgin Islands!
Anthony Washington: big post presence injured to start yr
Greg Jenkins: rookie F late preseason addition from Iona
Billy McDaniel: rookie F from Arkansas-Monticello
Nathan Peavy: rookie F from Miami Ohio
Matthias Finke: adds depth
Marius Nolte: hardworking physical 4 man/ key part of team
Christoph Hackenesch: adds depth
Chrisian Becker: adds depth
