TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
@ 
Ulm,Trier Aim to Hold Court in Cup!
ratiopharm Ulm @ TBB Trier
Thursday January 10, 2008 8:15pm
Trier Arena Trier, Germany
BBL.TV www.sportdigital.tv
ratiopharm Ulm travels to the western boarder of Deutschland Thursday for a visit to the Moselle and Germany's oldest city, Trier. Founded in 16 B.C., Trier was the capital of the West-Roman Empire and six emporers held court there. Thursday night, another kind of court will be the center of attention as ratiopharm Ulm visits Trier Arena for a German Cup game against host TBB Trier. With win-and-advance format, the annual German Cup provides basketball fans in Germany hardcore hardwood excitement and both ratiopharm Ulm and Trier will be aiming to claim a spot in the tournament's Sweet 16. Like the six Roman Emporers before, Thursday Trier will be the place to hold court.
Ulm's "Mr Incredible" Jeff Gibbs powers the attack!
This season ratiopharm Ulm was paired with TBB Trier November 18th by a draw held at Volkswagonhalle in Braunschweig. Originally scheduled for an early December tip, Trier found difficulty arranging an open date with Trier Arena and finalized this German Cup game for the last possible playable date allowed by the Bundesliga (January 10th). In fact, the German Cup Sweet 16 matchups have already been selected from a draw in late December. In other Sweet 16 matchups Eisbaren Bremerhaven host Deutsche Bank Skyliners, Pro A Cuxhaven Bascats entertain Bayer Leverkusen, ALBA Berlin plays Koln 99ers, Walter Tigers Tubingen travel to Giessen, Ewe Baskets Oldenburg welcome Artland Dragons, Science City Jena visits EnBW Ludwigsburg and brose Baskets Bamberg goes to Braunschweig. The winner of Thursday's Cup tilt between Ulm and Trier will host a home game in the Sweet 16 against digibu Baskets Paderborn. Winners from the Sweet 16 games advance to the Elite 8 round which will feature another draw for matchups. The German Cup once again leads to Hamburg's Color Line Arena for a May 3rd and May 4th TOP 4 showcase. Certainly the exciting win-and-advance format of the German Cup provides fantastic compeition for fans all over Germany.
ratiopharm Ulm faced TBB Trier earlier this season. At Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night November 17th, Ulm put all five starters in double figures led by All Star Jeff Gibbs who powered his way to a team best 24 point 9 rebound 4 assist night in a 92-70 win. Trailing the determined Trier team 41-37 at half, Ulm found their rhythm regaining the lead in the third before breaking the game open with a 31-13 fourth quarter. An all-around team effort, Ulm shot 53% from the floor and distributed 19 assists while outrebounding their guests 36-27 in the win. Ulm received 16 points 9 rebounds from Konrad Wysocki, 15 points 6 assists from Kyle Bailey and 14 points apiece from EJ Gallup and Bryan Lucas. Ulm's victory over Trier sparked a 5 game win streak.
Click here for Ulm-Trier November 17, 2007 game summary.
Click here for Ulm @ Trier April 21, 2007 game summary.
But since that November 17th meeting at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, several significant changes took place. First, Trier replaced veteran Head Coach Joe Whelton with Belgian Yves DeFraigne. They also added former ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland to their roster. Along with the addition of Rowland, injured PG Marcus Taylor returned to action last weekend in their tight home loss to Telekom Bonn. Meanwhile, as Marcus Taylor returned from injury for Trier, ratiopharm Ulm's starting point guard Kyle Bailey remains sidelined as his fractured thumb heals. These important adjustments combine to form an intriguing German Cup matchup Thursday evening.
Rookie PG Dru Joyce fills in for injured starter Kyle Bailey again Thursday night in Trier!
Trier currently is 3-12 in Bundesliga action and 1-3 under new head man DeFraigne. In his first game manning the Trier bench, the Belgian play caller Defraigne guided his new troops to an important 72-62 road win at Science City Jena December 8th. Since that time, Trier has dropped games to Ewe Baskets Oldenburg (74-67 December 15th at Trier Arena), 91-82 December 21st at Paderborn and most recently 66-64 to Telekom Bonn last Saturday January 5th in Trier Arena. But the German Cup gives teams a fresh start completely different from the regular season race.
Trier's roster remains relatively the same team ratiopharm Ulm faced earlier this season. Aside from the addition of their two PGs and the subtraction of G Jermaine Coleman, Trier will have many familiar faces at tip off Thursday. For the Ulm team, none will be more familiar than former teammate Austen Rowland. After leading the Bundesliga in assists last year while playing with Ulm, Rowland opted not to re-sign with Ulm in hopes of larger offers. With interest from several teams in Germany and outside, it seemed clear Rowland would land a solid new job throughout the offseason. Unfortunately, several situations fell through and Austen was stuck without a new team until Trier brought him back to the Bundesliga in late November. A terrific playmaker who excells in transition and in ballscreens, Austen has been a solidifying force for Trier as he speeds up their tempo and effectively distributes the basketball. In 5 games, Austen has produced 6ppg 2.8reb 3.8ast while hitting 26% from three and 67% from the foul line. Last game against Bonn, Marcus Taylor made it back from injury and scored 7 points in 17 minutes of action. The two Trier point guards are Bundesliga-battle tested with experience and talented. Team Captain James Gillingham (12ppg 2.5reb 2.5ast 32% threes) is a steady force for his Trier team and brings excellent defensive intensity. All Star forward Caleb Green (17.7pt 6.9reb 46% threes 75% FT) has emerged as a terrific player with ability to score on the block or drill a spot up three. Fans should enjoy the terrific matchup at the power forward spot when Ulm's Jeff Gibbs tangles with Trier's Caleb Green. In the post, Trier added big men Mike Benton (4.5ppg 3.1reb no threes) and James Wharton (6pt 4.5reb 25%three) just before the November 17th meeting in Ulm. Both are big and athletic and bring a solid presence to the Trier front line. On the wing, Trier features three point threat Daniel Cage, athletic post Josh Almanson and active forward Jonathan Moore. Cage, a rookie shooter from Vanderbilt, has drilled 48% from three while scoring 7.3ppg 1.8reb. Almanson adds 6.9ppg 2.5reb 23% three and Moore gives 5.8ppg 3.5reb with 38% from three point land. Young German players Christian Hoffmann and Kosta Karamatskos have seen limited action for Trier all year.
Ulm's Energizer Konrad Wysocki played the Hero's role in Saturday's Derby win over Tubingen. Thursday Konrad hopes to be ready to play in the German Cup game at Trier Arena.
ratiopharm Ulm travels west to Trier with several significant injuries. First, starting point guard Kyle Bailey will miss the game as his injured thumb heals. In his place, rookie PG Dru Joyce will act as floor general. Making his first Bundesliga start, the Akron Ohio product went for 17 points 6 assists and ran the Ulm system efficiently. Just when Ulm thought Bailey's absence was enough adversity, All Star forward Konrad Wysocki left Saturday's game against Tubingen with a painful back injury. Sitting out two quarters, Wysocki triumphantly returned to help his team earn their exciting comeback victory over the Tigers with an amazing comeback of his own. Certainly, Wysocki's health remains a major concern for Ulm. After receiving treatment and medical care throughout the week, Wysocki will be a game time decision. Without question, the entire Ulm roster must be prepared to contribute Thursday night at Trier Arena.
Hardworking post man Bryan Lucas has enjoyed a terrific season for ratiopharm Ulm!
Thursday nights game will be shown live on BBL.TV and viewers all over the world will have ability to purchase the ratiopharm Ulm action live online for a few dollars by credit card at www.sportdigital.tv Tip time is 8:15pm Central European time and 2:15pm Eastern Standard time. Last season, ratiopharm Ulm made a strong German Cup run beating Kaiserslautern and Giessen before falling in the Elite 8 round at EnBW Ludwigsburg. This season, Ulm takes aim on Trier with the intense win-and-advance format making the tournament exciting for everyone involved.
Ulm's EJ Gallup, Dru Joyce and Sean Finn bum-rushed their head coach after the Tubingen win!
Thursday night at Trier Arena a German Cup Sweet 16 bid is on the line. Both teams will be aiming to advance. In the shadow of Trier's historical seat of Roman Emporers, we will see who is able to hold court. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
POINT FOR POINT!
Thursday night at Trier Arena, ratiopharm Ulm faces former point guard Austen Rowland who joined Trier just after the teams played earlier this season November 17th in Ulm. Last season with Ulm, Austen led the Bundesliga in assists.
COLUMBUS CREW!
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs will meet a familiar face this weekend against Trier. Recently signed big man John Whorton hails from Columbus Ohio and the two have played in summer leagues together. Whorton graduated from Kent State, the rival for University of Akron which is the alma mater of Ulm rookie PG Dru Joyce. Whorton graduated before Joyce began playing for the zips.
BBL.TV
Thursdays German Cup game between ratiopharm Ulm and TBB Trier can be seen live online on BBL.TV through www.sportdigital.tv
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain
Kyle Bailey: will miss game with a fractured thumb
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's All Star meets high scoring Caleb Green
Bryan Lucas: hardworking big man ready for Trier front court
Konrad Wysocki: back injury forced him to miss practice!
Dru Joyce: rookie PG ready for second start
Florian Mobius: excellent minutes off bench v Tubingen
EJ Gallup: sharpshooter ready for uptempo game v Trier
Sean Finn: big man is key matchup against Trier size!
Sebastian Betz: young wing in rotation and improving
Jan Sprunken: veteran provides depth on perimeter!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Trier, Germany
Main Sponsor: Bitburger
Home Court: Trier Arena
website: www.trierer-basketball.de
2006-2007: 11-23 15th place
Offense: After struggling through last season, traditional team Trier has improved their roster with key returnees and solid newcomers. Starting backcourt of Marcus Taylor and James Gillingham will once again keep the teams motor running. In the post and on the wings, Trier will feature new faces. Robert Jackson, Tim Frost, Caleb Green and Kyle Wilson will be counted on to make it happen inside and all four are more than capable. On the wing, rookie shooter Dan Cage and veteran PG Jerome Coleman can also be impact players. Athletic Jonathan Moore joins Trier from Bayreuth and Josh Almanson returns to contribute his solid play to the frontcourt. Young German talents Kosta Karamatsos and Christian Hoffman provide depth and potential for the future.
Defense:Trier is pleased with a fresh start to the new season and with 9 new players, their fresh roster will be hungry to succeed. The physical Jackson and athletic Almanson make a nice combination in the lane and Gillingham's hardwork along with Taylor and Coleman's tenaciousness bode well for Trier. Expect a much improved Trier team throughout this season sparked by the new players.
GM: Lothar Hemerling
Head Coach: Yves Defraigne
Players:
Marcus Taylor terrific PG returns to lead Trier for 2nd yr.
James Gillingham: dead-eye marksman from three
Caleb Green:athletic 6'9 rookie F from Oral Roberts U (allstar)
Daniel Cage: rookie shooter from Vanderbilt
Jonathan Moore: Forward joins Trier after year in Bayreuth
Josh Almanson: athletic 4 man/ back for second season
Kosta Karamatsos: talented young G on Bundesliga roster
Christian Hoffmann: young PG signs from Bayern Munich
Mike Benton: big man adds strength and power in middle
John Whorton: skilled big man has solidified post
Austen Rowland: former Ulm PG now leading Trier fastbreak
