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ULM HOSTS SKYLINERS SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Deutsche Bank Skyliners
Saturday October 11th, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
Opening the season with 3 straight wins, ratiopharm Ulm aims to keep their roll when the Deutsche Bank Skyliners visit Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night in Ulm. After advancing to the Bundesliga Playoff semi-finals last year, the Skyliners reloaded their roster this summer and are ready for another outstanding season. For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday's game against Frankfurt is the next early season challenge on the schedule!
Ulm point guard Dru Joyce is ready to attack the Skyliners Saturday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg!
ratiopharm Ulm returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for their second home game of the season. After a convincing 84-56 win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig in their home debut, ratiopharm Ulm hosts the Deutsche Bank Skyliners energized after edging Dusseldorf last weekend 72-71. As the ratiopharm Ulm team returns home energized from their win, the teams former 'Energizer' Konrad Wysocki also makes a homecoming of sorts this weekend as he returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the first time with his new team from Frankfurt. After three excellent seasons in Ulm and a fantastic summer with the German National team in the Bejing Olympics, a warm reception is expected for Konrad from Sportsznetrum Kuhberg fans.
Former ratiopharm Ulm All Star Konrad Wysocki returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday with his new team the Deutsche Bank Skyliners.
While pre-game receptions are positive and good, 'Homecoming Games' are for high school and both ratiopharm Ulm and Deutsche Bank Skyliners will play to win. The ratiopharm Ulm team of 2008-2009 has started the season strong and aim to make a mark on the Bundesliga this year. Beating a sure-bet playoff team would be a terrific way to do that. Meanwhile, the Skyliners look for a return trip to the Bundesliga playoffs and a deeper march into the Finals. Even though Saturdays game is early in the season, both Ulm and Frankfurt have reasons for extra motivation.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis looks forward to Saturday's showdown against the Skyliners!
Frankfurt opened the 2008-2009 season with an 81-66 home loss against the strong Telekom Bonn team Sunday September 21st. Pascal Roller topscored with 20 points in the losing effort. Game Day two brought Frankfurt's first win, an 83-75 road victory over Koln 99ers. Lorenzo Gordon posted a 23 point 11 rebound double double to lead the Skyliners. Last week, in Thursday's BBL.TV game, Gordon posted a 16 point 11 rebound double double in Frankfurt's 65-55 home win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven. At 2-1, Head Coach Murat Didin and his team are feeling good from back to back wins as they travel to Ulm for Saturdays game.
Ulm guard Keith Triplett has been an impact player for his team!
And the Skyliners do have alot to feel good about. Head Coach Murat Didin is an experienced signal-caller and has steadily returned the Skyliners to their accustomed success in his second stint with the team. Last season, Frankfurt advanced to the semifinal round of the Bundesliga playoffs and the 2008-2009 addition of the Skyliner team has potential to be even better and go even further. Frankfurt play begins with the experienced floor general Pascal Roller, who has been outstanding in the early season. A terrific playmaker in transition, in ballscreens or from his crafty penetration, Roller is an elite German point guard and a face of the Frankfurt team. His leadership and competitiveness make him a coach on the floor and Pascal's ability to hit threes make him a constant threat to make plays. Last season at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Roller was the key player making big baskets and important plays in leading the Skyliners to their 87-83 road win over Ulm. Certainly, the veteran point guard is a key for Frankfurt success. While Roller sets the tempo from the backcourt, forwards Derrick Allen and Ilian Evtimov provide production in the front court. A consistent Bundesliga All-Star, Derrick Allen is a premiere post scorer in the Bundesliga with his quick moves and energy on the offensive boards. Complimenting him perfectly, Evtimov is among the Bundesliga's best 'Stretch 4' forwards that stands as a perimeter threat as a big man. Both Allen and Evtimov have been featured players in the Frankfurt offense and enjoyed big games against Ulm. This season, two new wings give Coach Didin plenty of weapons and versatility. Athletic wing defender Keith Simmons has been an impact player in his first three games with the Skyliners after starring last season in Turkey. The talented former Holy Cross star, Simmons has potential to be one of the top new players in the Bundesliga. Like Keith Simmons, Konrad Wysocki is another top addition to the Frankfurt team. Konrad's active cutting and energy plays make him a terrific addition and although he has started the season slow, it takes time to adapt to new surroundings. Together, Simmons and Wysocki are a terrific combination on the perimeter. Supporting Roller, Simmons and Wysocki, talented young shooting guard Dominik Bahiense de Mello, former Giessen guard Shawan Robinson and Bundesliga rookie Adam Emmenecker play important roles for Frankfurt. de Mello is a terrific young perimeter shooter with abillity to defend. Robinson spells Roller and provides a different look for defenses. Emmenecker is a solid guard with a quality background playing at Drake. Together, de Mello, Robinson and Emmenecker add excellent outside shooting and depth to the backcourt. In the post, new big men Lorenzo Gordon and Anthony King give the Skyliners size, skill and athleticism. Gordon went for a 16 point 11 rebound double double in last weeks win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven. King has played limited minutes to this point battling injuries. Like King, Jimmy McKinney also is working through injuries after enjoying an excellent season for the Skyliners last year.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie Per Gunther meets Bundesliga challenges head on!
Frankfurt's road trip does not end in Ulm. After Saturday's Bundesliga game, the Skyliners travel to Ukraine to take on BC Nikolaev in the first of their two EuroCup Qualifiers. The Skyliners play at BC Nikolaev Tuesday October 14th and the two teams meet the next Tuesday October 21st at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt. Certainly, the Skyliners look to be at their best for their exciting international games coming up.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey provides an outstanding perimeter threat!
Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm's strong start has been about an improved team defense and excellent teamwork. Players have stepped up their game and responded to challenges in the early season as well. Last weekend in Dusseldorf, Jeff Gibbs' exemplary effort powered Ulm to victory as the Ulm All Star produced a memorable 18 point 20 rebound 5 assist 3 block performance. Along with Gibbs' inside presence, Lee Humphrey buried 5 threes in Dusseldorf playing a key part in the win. Earlier in the season, Keith Triplett's defense sparked Ulm just as 20 year old rookie point guard Per Gunther inspired his teammates stepping into the starters role and leading the team to two wins. Passing their first three tests and meeting the challenges head on, ratiopharm Ulm now faces their next powerful opponent from Frankfurt.
Ulm's Sean Finn finished strong in the lane last week in Dusseldorf and has been an excellent post defender!
Since returning to the Bundesliga in 2006-2007, Ulm's games against the Deutsche Bank Skyliners have been exciting and memorable. In the 2006-2007 season Ulm and Frankfurt split two games with each team winning on their home floor. Last season, with their sweep, the Skyliners took the upper hand.
Ulm's rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald has been a terrific addition to the teams frontcourt this season!
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. The competitive 87-83 road win for Frankfurt January 12th, 2008 in Ulm set the tone for the new season. Using these three games as example, Wednesdays rematch should add to the competitive history between the two teams. Click the links below for Game Summaries from recent Ulm v Frankfurt rivalry games:
2006-2007 October 1st Game Summary
2006-2007 January 20th Game Summary
Ulm's Captain Emeka Erege and talented young Sebastian Betz provide great depth and skill on the perimeter.
Last season, Ulm and Frankfurt locked up for an excellent game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Saturday January 12th, 2008, the sharp Deutsche Bank Skyliner team made big plays down the stretch to emerge from Ulm with a tough 87-83 road win. ratiopharm Ulm received an outstanding effort in that home loss to the Skyliners from then-rookie PG Dru Joyce who spelled former Ulm guard Kyle Bailey in the starting lineup. The Akron native Joyce stepped up his game and responded with several blue chip performances for Ulm including a stat-sheet stuffing 20 point 6 rebound 7 assist night against Frankfurt. The tough Frankfurt defense limited Ulm to 39% shooting while Skyliners sank 51% of their own looks in the win. Frankfurt demonstrated their high-level potential in Ulm and sealed the road victory with clutch baskets from Pascal Roller, Jimmy McKinney and perfect free throw shooting down the stretch.
Click here for Ulm v Frankfurt Game Summary from January 12th, 2008
Later last season, Wednesday Febuary 28th, Ulm positioned themselves well leading 59-52 heading into the fourth quarter but another Frankfurt finish, keyed by an 18-3 run, sealed the Skyliners 82-69 midweek win.
Click for complete Ulm @ Frankfurt Febuary 28, 2008 Game Summary!
Ulm's 'Mr Incredible' Jeff Gibbs finishes strong in last seasons action against the Deutsche Bank Skyliners at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Jeff has been outstanding opening this season highlighted by last weeks 18 point 20 rebound double double.
As Ulm hosts Frankfurt on Saturday, a very positive trend has been developing for the Ulmers this early season --- facing two opponents who swept them last season in Bamberg and Braunschweig, against both opponents in games this year, Ulm went against the grain from the last season and won. The first three weeks of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season have provided ratiopharm Ulm with exciting challenges. And Saturday night, the Skyliners are next in line.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action this season on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
HOMECOMING
former Ulm all star small forward Konrad Wysocki returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Saturday night. After three excellent seasons in Ulm and representing his country at the Bejing Olympics with the German National team, Konrad signed with the Skyliners this summer. A warm welcome is expected.
GERMAN POINT GUARDS
Saturday when veteran German point guard Pascal Roller meets rookie German point guard Per Gunther, a memorable matchup will take place. Roller has enjoyed an outstanding career and has many strong seasons remaining. Meanwhile, Per has emerged as the top young German point guard in the Bundesliga and looks to meet the challenges from the veteran Roller Saturday night.
CLASSIC MATCHUP!
Every time Bundesliga All Stars Jeff Gibbs and Derrick Allen meet on the floor, the fans are the winners. Seeing both top Bundesliga talents go head to head provides wonderful entertainment within the game. Gibbs and Allen have met for several seasons and their duals in the post go back to Allen's seasons Leverkusen and Karlsruhe. Saturday night is the next showdown.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain provides depth and leadership!!
Romeo Travis: versatility a key for Ulm
Jeff Gibbs: 18pt 20reb 5ast 3blk in Dusseldorf
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general played great v Skyliners last season
Sean Finn: sparked Ulm run with big slam in Dusseldorf
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter drilled 5 threes in Dusseldorf
Keith Triplett: outstanding defensive play continues to power team!
Dan Fitzgerald: 5 pt 4 reb in solid minutes in Dusseldorf
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing
Per Gunther: outstanding young PG ready to face veteran Roller!
Michael Schroeder: big man providing physical presence in paint!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Main Sponsor: Deutsche Bank
Home Court: BallSporthalle
website:
2007-2008: 21-13 5th place
(Playoffs 1st Round beat Leverkusen 3-2)
(Playoffs 2nd Round lost to Bonn 3-2)
2006-2007: 15-19 13th place
Offense: Skyliners 2008-2009 squad is a balanced team that revolves around the excellent point guard play of Pascal Roller. Exellent in transition and skilled in ballscreens, Roller is a quarterback on the floor and sets the tempo for the team. The team likes to spread the floor and pressure defenses with ballscreen-dive action while stretching the defensive rotations with skilled shooting big men. Inside, Derrick Allen and Lorenzo Gordon are excellent post scorers. Dominik Bahiense de Mello is a developing shooting guard and versatile wings Konrad Wysocki and Keith Simmons will be difference makers. Frankfurt is poised for a great year and deep run into the post season.
Defense: The Skyliners will employ various defensive tactics depending upon their opponent. A deep, athletic team, Frankfurt likes to pressure the basketball and pressure passing lanes when in man to man. They will play a 2-3 zone and even mix in some junk defenses like a triangle and two. Skyliners will also use halfcourt and fullcourt presses from time to time. The additions of Keith Simmons (an outstanding perimeter defender) and big men Lorenzo Gordon/ Anthony King will make their front court big and athletic. Head coach Murat Didin always has a well-schooled, well-disciplined defensive unit with a strong game plan.
GM: Dr Gunnar Woebke
Head Coach: Murat Didin
Players:
Pascal Roller: outstanding German PG /key to team
Keith Simmons: outstanding perimeter defender/from Holy Cross
Jimmy McKinney: scoring combo G/injured 1st few months
Adam Emmenecker: solid combo guard from Drake
Lorenzo Gordon: two straight double doubles for new center
Konrad Wysocki: former Ulm all star now playing with skyliners
Anthony King: athletic big man battling early season injuries
Shawan Robinson: former Giessen guard is backup pg
Derrick Allen: active rebounder/athlete/allstar in Bundesliga
Dominik Bahiense De Mello: top young shooting G
Max Weber: young post man
Kirsten Zolner: young big man
Ilian Evtimov: talented frontcourt scorer/stretches D with J
