TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM DRUBBED IN PADERBORN!
Some days the ball just doesn't bounce your way. For ratiopharm Ulm, one week after the high of their thrilling home upset of reigning German Champion Rheinenergie Koln, Sunday's 96-67 loss in Paderborn was a low. As with any young team, consistency is the key and in Paderborn ratiopharm Ulm collectively was inconsistent. Suffering through a 10-0 Paderborn run in the first quarter, a 12-0 Paderborn run in the second and a 13-0 Paderborn run in the third, it was clear Ulm forgot to pack their defensive intensity for this road trip. Bright spots in the debacle were C Bryan Lucas' 15 point 5 rebound performance and Jeff Gibbs' 14 point 9 rebound night. For Ulm the last week has been a BUNDESLIGA ROLLER-COASTER at its best!
After last weeks high upsetting German champion Koln, Ulm suffered through a low performance Sunday in Paderborn.
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After last Saturday's home win over Koln, ratiopharm Ulm lost in Paderborn. Clearly the mark of a young team learning about readiness, intensity level and competing on the road, in two weeks Ulm beat the German champion and lost to fellow aufsteiger. Such are the high's and low's of a young team in the learning process.
With much interest surrounding Sunday's game between the two Bundesliga "Aufsteigers" shown live on Premiere TV, both ratiopharm Ulm and Paderborn Baskets entered the contest with confidence --- Ulm from last weeks win over Koln and Paderborn boasting a three game home win streak. As the ball went up for the centerjump, both teams worked to establish the tempo. With the score knotted at 4-4, Paderborn made the games 1st run 10-0 bursting to a 14-4 advantage and forcing an Ulmer timeout 5 minutes in. Transition was Paderborn's key as PG Tim Black, shooting G Sergerio Gipson and shooting wing Steve Esterkamp got into the open court early. Fighting back, ratiopharm Ulm pounded the ball inside against the Paderborn man and zone defense. Chipping away at the lead, Ian Young sank a shotclock beating left wing deep three to give Ulm some momentum in the closing moments of the first quarter. After 10 minutes, powered by the transition game and a rowdy home crowd, Paderborn earned a 26-18 lead.
Rallying the troops in the quarter break, ratiopharm Ulm made adjustments and began to work their way back into the game. Key factors for Ulm were in the paint --- C Bryan Lucas and PF Jeff Gibbs. Wheeling and dealing in the lane, Lucas scored 8 straight Ulm points in the paint pulling his team to within 30-27. Ulm's run continued with a three point play from Gibbs. As expected, it was anybody's ball game with Paderborn holding a slim 32-30 lead. With several consecutive foul calls going against the team, Ulm players frustration level rose. Taking a timeout for composure, Ulm huddled and refocused on their plan of attack. Unfortunately, out of the timeout, they were attacked. Suffering several turnovers and unable to "throw the ball in the ocean", ratiopharm Ulm fell victim to Paderborn's 12-0 second quarter run which broke the game open. Reggie Golson was key with crafty defensive "backtips" and excellent transition play. G Lamar Hurd made an impact off the bench and Sergerio Gipson finished the strong Paderborn first half off with a slashing drive through the Ulm D to finish at the rim before the first half buzzer. Paderborn's transition game and defensive intensity earned them a 17 point halftime lead, 54-37.
Paderborn's Tim Black and Reggie Golson go after a rebound as as Jeff Gibbs battles in the lane.
Obviously dissatisfied with their first half performance, ratiopharm Ulm discussed several areas of breakdown and the game plan for correction. Setting the goal to clip the lead to under ten at the end of the third, ratiopharm Ulm aimed to spark another energized comeback as with road games in Berlin and Oldenburg. Key areas of concern were transition Defense and defensive intensity in general.
Just one of those days --- despite Ulm efforts, the ball bounced the other way in Paderborn.
As one would hope, Ulm's captain Emeka Erege opened the third quarter with a life-giving three point play. Ulm hoped it would be the start of their comeback! But Paderborn shooter Steve Esterkamp has other ideas --- a right corner 3 answering right back. Ulm's perimeter shooting woes continued and Paderborn triggered their running game from the misses. Before anyone could blink, Paderborn powered to another run, this time 13-0 in the third. Throughout the quarter, Ulm attempted to change the game with several different defenses and using smaller lineups. However at the end of three, Paderborn held a commanding 61-45 lead. The 13-0 run put game away as Paderborn capitalized on Ulm turnovers and missed shots.
With the game all but in the books, Ulm ran the bench playing everyone on the team. Of interest, at one point, ratiopharm Ulm played a completely German lineup on floor. Unofficially, it is believed that was the first time 5 German players have been on the floor at once in the Bundesliga this season. Christian Grosse finished the game strong for Ulm as did Konrad Wysocki. At the final buzzer, Ulm could only shake their head at the disappointing 96-67 result. Some days the ball simply does not bounce your way. But somehow working hard helps one create their own breaks.
Statistically speaking, ratiopharm Ulm clearly lost the game. Aside from bright spots Bryan Lucas (15points 5 rebounds) and Jeff Gibbs (14 points 9 rebounds), only Konrad Wysocki reached double digits with 10. As a team, Ulm shot 36% (21-57) from the floor and 20% (3-15) from three. Ulm lost 18 turnovers and was outrebounded 36-33. Paderborn shot 52% from the floor and made 89% (25-28) from the foul line. Individually for Paderborn, Steve Esterkamp (17 points 8 rebounds), Reggie Golson (16 points 7 boards), Lamar Hurd (16 points) and Sergerio Gipson (15 points) were in top form.
Head to Head, Paderborn outplayed Ulm Sunday
Examining the poor Ulm performance, perimeter production can be the first deciding factor. Ulm's backcourt players Austen Rowland, Jonathan Levy and Ian Young combined to shoot 2-20 in the game. All three have helped Ulm win games at times this season and Sunday was simply a combined bad day. Second, defensive intensity was simply not up to par. This was visible in several key areas. Finally, the youth factor --- learning how difficult the challenge is to win on the road in the Bundesliga. Playing in their 4th Live Premiere TV game, ratiopharm Ulm slips to 0-4 in TV games. Paderborn won their debut. Both teams are now 10-12 and part of the BUNDESLIGA LOG JAM in the standings.
Positive in the postgame press conference, the young Ulm team will bounce back and learn from this disappointing performance.
Learning from the loss in Paderborn, ratiopharm Ulm will return to the practice court on Tuesday in preparations for next week's home game against SellbyTel baskets Nurnberg Saturday night 7pm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
