TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM HOSTS SKYLINERS SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Deutsche Bank Skyliners
Saturday January 12, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
Fresh from Thursday nights exciting German Cup victory in Trier, ratiopharm Ulm returns home to host the talented Deutsche Bank Skyliners Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Bundesliga Game Day 16. With a roster of talented players in Skyliners jerseys, tremendous challenges await the Ulm team. For basketball fans, of the many interesting matchups, the most anticipated will be at the power forward spot where Ulm's Jeff Gibbs will battle on the block with Frankfurt's Derrick Allen. As the Bundesliga season heads into next weeks All Star break, both ratiopharm Ulm and the Deutsche Bank Skyliners aim for a win.
ratiopharm Ulm Captain Emeka Erege is congratulated by teammates as he comes to the bench. With two games in three days, Ulm emphasizes their "Team-Weekend" with everyone playing an important part!
With a challenging schedule of two games in three days, ratiopharm Ulm emphasized a "Team Effort" in tipping off the exciting weekend with a hardfought road win over Trier in the German Cup. Minutes for key players went down as minutes for bench players went up and the team responded with a focused and competitive effort to earn the win on the front end. Now, Saturday, Ulm aims to finish the job with the support and energy from their fantastic home fans who spurred a second half surge in last weekends home Derby win over Tubingen.
Since returning from Christmas break, ratiopharm Ulm has played shorthanded in two wins over Walter Tigers Tubingen home last Saturday and in Thursday nights German Cup win at Trier. Without starting point guard Kyle Bailey, nursing a fractured thumb to health, rookie PG Dru Joyce has stepped in to the starting five and done a tremendous job for his team. Along with the Rookie from Akron Ohio, Ulm's Konrad Wysocki has also been giving something extra for his team. Playing through the pain of a back injury, Konrad has laid it on the line for his team and teammates over the last two weeks and his efforts are greatly appreciated. With a terrific season to begin with, Wysocki's tremendous heart-filled performacnce in Ulm's last two games makes it clear to see why he earned an All Star spot. Meanwhile, the Keystone of the Ulm team, Jeff Gibbs continues his outstanding year and hardworking Bryan Lucas remains under the radar but produces like one of the leagues best big men. As Gibbs and Lucas power the paint, EJ Gallup provides the lighting from outside in an excellent compliment. While Dru Joyce has stepped into the main point guard role quarterbacking the Ulm offense, EJ has also added responsibility as the primary backup playmaker.
Ulm's rookie PG Dru Joyce has been excellent in his two Bundesliga starts.
At the center of Ulm's efforts this weekend, the teams bench players key their squads success. Captain Emeka Erege, Center Sean Finn, talented young wing Sebastian Betz and veterans Jan Sprunken and Florian Mobius helped to elevate Ulm's performance in Trier in many ways and aim to keep the team consistent at home against Frankfurt. Together, the entire Ulm team has rallied to raise their level in reaching for success through injury and adversity.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs is an inside-out threat.
In their short history, the two teams met for the first time last season, Ulm and Frankfurt engaged in two classic games. The initial meeting was Ulm's first Bundesliga game since their return last October. After controlling play and leading for 39 minutes, Eric Chatfield's buzzer beater stole the win in a fantastic finish as Frankfurt took a 73-72 victory. Later, at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Ulm outlasted the powerful Skyliners in an exciting overtime game. If these two basketball battles mean anything, fans can expect another terrific contest Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Click the links below for Game Summaries from recent Ulm v Frankfurt rivalry games:
2006-2007 January 20th Game Summary
2006-2007 October 1st Game Summary
In Saturday marks the return of a familiar face to Sportszentrum Kuhberg as former Ulm post man Maksym Shtein laces up his sneakers for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. This season, his first in Frankfurt, Max has averaged 2.3ppg 1.9reb while shooting 48% from the floor and burying both his three point attempts in 13 games. A key player in Ulm's rise to the Bundesliga, Max averaged 7.4ppg 2.9reb and shot 58% from the floor for Ulm last season. During Ulm's Aufsteig season "The Ukraine Train" was Ulm's starting center and enjoyed an excellent 12.5ppg 5.5reb while shooting 55% from the floor and 32% from three. A popular player among Ulm fans, it will be a nice moment to welcome Max back to his former home.
ratiopharm Ulm's Konrad Wysocki has given his team tremendous effort through back pains the last two games.
2007-2008 has been a season of streaks for the Skyliners. After tipping off the year with a 68-64 home win over Science City Jena October 7th. A string of three straight losses (at Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 76-65 October 12th, at brose Baskets Bamberg 88-51 October 19th and home to Bayer Leverkusen 91-73 October 21st) was followed by three straight wins (topping Telekom Bonn 76-65 October 28th, over Walter Tigers Tubingen 78-70 November 3rd and NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 83-73 November 11th). November 17th EnBW Ludwigsburg stopped the Skyliners win streak 94-71 but Frankfurt bounced back with a big 74-63 home win over Artland Dragons November 25th and followed that with an exciting 80-77 road win over local rival Giessen 46ers December 1st. 8 days later, BG74 Gottingen went into BallSporthalle in Frankfurt and beat the Skyliners 77-60 before ALBA Berlin (74-64 December 15th) and Koln (90-86 December 22nd) added two more losses to the Frankfurt file. After the holiday break, Skyliners were strong in Bremerhaven beating the Eisbaren 85-76 January 6th. Entering Saturdays matchup with ratiopharm Ulm, Frankfurt is even at 7-7 but the team seems ready to make their run. Head Coach and his team are battle tested and finally getting their pieces in place. Not only do the Skyliners play their regular Bundesliga schedule, Frankfurt is also competing this season in Group D of the ULEB Cup against the likes of Pamesa Valencia of Spain, Anwil Wloclawek of Poland, SLUC Nancy from France, Azovmash Mariupol out of Ukraine and powerful Khimky Moscow. Most recently, Frankfurt fell 72-67 in a hardfought home loss to Khimky Moscow currently 3rd ranked team on Eurobasket.com. Their excellent performance against such a powerful foe speaks well for the argument Skyliners could be ready to mount another run. A major reason for their positive upswing is the addition of new players and return of injured ones.
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas plays with heart and is a Sportszentrum Kuhberg favorite.
Over Christmas break, Frankfurt inked former NBA big man Ken Johnson who opened this season with Fribourg from Switzerland. While Johnson strengthens the Skyliners inside, talented guards Pascal Roller and Jimmy McKinney are just finding their top form. Both Roller, a talented German National team PG, and McKinney (10ppg 2.7reb 2.3ast 40% three), the former University of Missouri Tiger star, have battled through injuries and recently enjoyed strong games. Roller (9.4ppg 2.8reb 3.8ast 35% three) was the star of the Skyliner show in their road win over Bremerhaven last Sunday with a 6 for 8 night from beyond the three point arc that resulted in 25 points. While these three are recent keys to Skyliners success, All Star post man Derrick Allen, talented new post Ilian Evtimov and veteran small forward Koko Archibong are all responsible for Frankfurt's production. Currently leading the Bundesliga in scoring at 21.9ppg, Allen also grabs 8.7reb and 3.6 offensive rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the floor and 76% from the foul line. The high-energy Allen just edged Ulm's Jeff Gibbs in fan voting for the starting power forward spot in All Star day and their matchups are always fantastic entertainment for basketball fans. Gibbs plays with power while Allen works with energy --- the contrast is an intriguing part of the game within the game. Evtimov is a terrific perimeter shooting post man and produces 12.2ppg 4.4reb and 30% from three. Former Bamberg and ALBA Berlin star Koko Archibong is regarded as one of the top defenders in the Bundesliga and has averaged 9.9ppg 5.6reb and leads the Skyliners with 46% from beyond the arc. Depth for Head Coach Murat Didin comes from every player on their talented roster. First, quality veterans have seen significant minutes. Along with post man Maksym Shtein, Skyliners have many options on the bench. Athletic wing Stefano Garris (5.5ppg 3reb 36% three) is a terrific defender and excells in transition. Last year in Ulm, Garris found his shooting rhythm from three point range and made several big baskets. Physical guards Jimmie Hunt (4.7ppg 2.1reb 21% three) and Ayinde Ubaka (3.6ppg 1.2reb 2.8ast 44% three) have played strong minutes in the Frankfurt backcourt this year. Second, young German players contribute when called upon. Excellent young shooter Dominik Bahiense de Mello (5.9ppg 30% three) spreads the floor with his dead-eye shot while athletic forward Alex King (1.6ppg 1.1reb) brings energy as he develops his game. Big man Kirsten Zollner has also seen some minutes.
Ulm's EJ Gallup has doubled as a point guard in the absence of Kyle Bailey.
Saturday night, Ulm and Frankfurt tip off an interesting midseason matchup with both teams looking to finish strong heading into next weeks All Star Break. If last seasons games indicate anything, Saturday night is something to look forward to! Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
UKRAINE TRAIN!
ratiopharm Ulm will see a familiar face Saturday when former big man Maksym Shtein returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg with his new team from Frankfurt. For sure it will be a nice moment for Kuhberg fans to salute their former friend and center.
BIG MEN FROM OHIO!
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs always seems to meet up with a post man from his home state. Thursday in Trier he battled with former Kent St big man John Whorton and Saturday Ulm's Mr Incredible will meet former Ohio State Buckeye post player Ken Johnson. Columbus Ohio is definitely a BIG hub for BIG men.
POWER FORWARDS POWER VOTES!
Bundesliga basketball fans voted in the starting five for next weekends Bundesliga All Star day and one of the most competitive spots was the power forward spot for the south team where Ulm's Jeff Gibbs went head to head with Frankfurt's Derrick Allen. Allen eventually won by percentage points in the ballot box. Saturday, the two will meet on the floor. It will certainly be a matchup to keep your eyes on!
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: fractured thumb has Bailey sidelined
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's PF leading league in rebounding!
Bryan Lucas: enjoying excellent season as Ulms post man
Konrad Wysocki: earned All Star starting spot with strong play
Dru Joyce: rookie PG moves into starting lineup with Bailey injury!
Florian Mobius: key post sub looks to continue in 2008!
EJ Gallup: Ulm sharpshooter ready to display versatility!
Sean Finn: Ulm big man key for battle on the boards
Sebastian Betz: key sub for Ulm perimeter depth
Jan Sprunken: veteran presence helps with injuries and adversity!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Main Sponsor: Deutsche Bank
Home Court: Ballsporthalle
website: www.deutsche-bank-skyliners.de
2006-2007: 15-19 13th place
Offense: The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have been a sleeping Giant over the last two Bundesliga seasons. Finishing in 14th and 13th place the last two years, Skyliners revamped their team and fans can expect a strong Skyliner squad in 2007-2008. It all starts with the return of talented PG Pascal Roller who spent the last two seasons in Italy. Along with Rollers floor generalship, Bundesliga All Stars Derrick Allen and Koko Archibong will play in Frankfurt this season as well. Allen is an energy-man who rebounds extremely well and Archibong is a fantastic defender. New big men Ilian Evtimov, Maksym Shtein and Kirsten Zolner also provide instant quality to the team. Jimmy Hunt will act as backup PG and returning Skyliners Nino Garris, Dominik de Mello and Alex King will continue their strong contributions. Unfortunately, the talented Jimmy McKinney injured his chest in preseason and will be sidelined for several months.
Defense: With improvement on their mind, Skyliners management and coaching staff went out to add excellent defenders and Archibong and Allen are two of the best. Roller solidifies the lineup and the teams athletic wings and physical posts provide outstanding potential for team defense. Expect this season to be the return of playoff basketball to Frankfurt.
GM: Dr. Gunnar Wöbke
Head Coach: Murat Didin
Players:
Pascal Roller: outstanding German PG
Jimmy McKinney: scoring combo G/injured 1st few months
Alex King: top German athletic wing prospect
Derrick Allen: active rebounder/athlete/allstar in Bundesliga
Koko Archibong: defensive Ace new to ALBA from Bamberg
Nino Garris: German National team wing/great on D
Dominik Bahiense De Mello: top young shooting G
Jimmie Hunt: physical guard/strong defender
Kirsten Zolner: young big man
Maksym Shtein: former Ulmer comes home with Skyliners
Ilian Evtimov: talented frontcourt scorer/stretches D with J
Ken Johnson: former Ohio St and Miami Heat big man
Ayinde Ubaka: strong PG in the backcourt mix for Frankfurt
