TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM TRAVELS TO TRIER!
ratiopharm Ulm @ TBB Trier
Saturday April 21, 2007 8pm
Trier Arena Trier, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm travels to one of the oldest cities in Germany Saturday as they visit Trier for an 8pm tipoff at beautiful Trier Arena. In an exciting meeting earlier this season December 30th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, it took overtime to settle the hardfought matchup between the two teams. A strong overtime surge led by Austen Rowland and Jeff Gibbs pushed Ulm ahead and onto the 85-82 victory.
Ulm Captain Emeka Erege finishes against Trier's Danny Horace in December's matchup between the two teams.
Looking to finish their excellent first Bundesliga season strong, ratiopharm Ulm faces a talented Trier team which has been extremely streaky throughout the 2006-2007 season. Working through several key injuries and roster moves, Trier has suffered several hard-luck losses on their way to their current 10-21 record. Afer opening with a win over Oldenburg, Trier started 3-5 before stringing together a 4 game win streak upping their mark to 7-5. After splitting the next two, Trier entered Ulm at 8-6. After leaving with the 85-82 OT loss, Trier dropped their next 8 games and plummeted to 8-14 before beating NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 90-65 March 11th. A last second home loss to Bonn followed with an exciting 124-111 tripe overtime road loss in Leverkusen put Trier at 9-16 and since hammering BG Karlsruhe 88-73 March 31st, Trier has lost 4 consecutive games including two buzzer beaters falling to Giessen 46ers 79-78 and losing to Walter Tigers Tubingen 78-77 last week.
Point guard Austen Rowland made key plays for Ulm in their overtime win against Trier. Here, Austen surveys the floor against Trier's Ernest Scott.
An amazing historical city on the western edge of Germany, Trier has long tradition as a successful city in Europe. Founded by the Romans in 16 B.C., Trier became the capital of West-Roman Empire in the 3rd Century. Trier was the home to 6 emperors and held a population of 80,000 as early as the 4th century. The basketball tradition in the city is also strong. Trier has been a successful team in the Bundesliga since "Aufsteig" in 1990. The highlight of Trier's tenure was winning the German Cup in 1998 and 2001. This season has also provided the fans in Trier with excitement adding to their strong tradition. For veteran Head Coach Joe Whelton, injuries and roster moves have created a challenging juggling act, but the experienced signal caller still has several key players he can count on. Sharpshooting guard Tommy Adams has shown outstanding ability to score. When hot, Adams can errupt for big numbers as demonstrated by his 40 plus point efforts this season. Averaging 15.3ppg while shooting 33% from beyond the arc and 83% from the foul line, Adams has been an offensive force for Trier. Hardworking leader James Gillingham has also been a key for the Trier team. The skilled Canadian combo guard is in constant motion, attacking in transition, off ball screens and from behind the three point line. Gillingham produces 11.8ppg while hitting 39% from three and 87% from the charity stripe. Small forward Brandon Gay is a terrific offensive force with ability to score inside or from the perimeter. Gay has been excellent for Trier and averages 11.7ppg 5.2reb while hitting 37% from three. Talented playmaker Marcus Taylor has made an impact for Trier at the point scoring 13.9ppg with2.6ast. In the post, Canadian 7 footer, Nate Doornekamp patrols the paint and sticks perimeter jumpers. Nate has given Trier a solid 6.6ppg with 5.6reb while hitting 25% from three. Physical four man Danny Horace has also stepped up for Trier at times. Horace has helped Trier with 7.8ppg and 4.9reb while hitting 34% from three. Lanky athletic forward Josh Almanson provides energy and versatility for Trier while adding 4.9ppg and 2.6reb with 32% three point accuracy. Former Frankfurt Skyliner post man Tate Decker joined Trier after Christmas and has emerged as a positive presence in their lineup. An excellent shooting big man, Decker has played in 7 games scoring 8.7ppg with 3.3reb and 40% three point shooting. Veteran C Detlef Musch, a wise, left handed seven footer, is an outstanding team player and has earned much respect over his excellent career. In the last season before he retires, Musch provides post depth and is a fan favorite. Athletic wing, Ernest Scott is a spark off the bench scoring 6.9ppg with 3.6reb and 32% three point shooting. A skilled one on one scorer, Scott attacks in transition and can get hot quick. Together, Trier's team features several offensive weapons that make them exciting for fans and challenging for opponents.
Jonathan Levy looks to score against tough Brandon Gay defense in December's matchup.
In December's matchup at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm received strong contributions from their bench. Young Ulm G Christian Grosse buried two key second half threes against the Trier zone and Konrad Wysocki gave his team outstanding production and energy throughout the game. Austen Rowland sank clutch free throws, but a defensive breakdown allowed Brandon Gay to bury a buzzer beating three pointer to tie the score at 70 and force overtime. In OT, it was an Ulm run which put them in a position for the win. Rowland buried an ice-breaking three, Jonathan Levy triggered a fastbreak with a shot block and Rowland finished the job with a strong layin. Jeff Gibbs powered his way to offensive rebounds and points in the paint. Certainly, the 6th man of Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans, also earned a big assist for their noise and energy which helped the team. Playing with no-quit, Trier fought back and had an endline inbound possession to tie late in OT, but their desperationg 3pointer went awry and Ulm notched an important 85-82 win. For Ulm, the win was the start of an 8 game home win streak. For Trier, the loss was the first in a string of 8 straight defeats.
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Veteran Head Coach Joe Whelton rallies the Trier team during December's game in Ulm.
Saturday's game in Trier Arena both teams will look to play uptempo and fast which should be entertaining for fans. Defending the fantastic three point shooters from Trier will be a key for Ulm. The battle on the backboards will also be an imortant challenge. With three game days remaining in the 2006-2007 Bundesliga regular season, the Ulm team is excited for the road trip to Trier. Saturday night, ratiopharm Ulm's newest challenge takes place in one of Germany's oldest cities.
A positive word from and for Trier sharpshooter Tommy Adams
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
DETLEF'S CONNECTIONS
Trier C Detlef Musch, a native of Kempton Germany, has several strong ties to ratiopharm Ulm. The 7 foot veteran worked out with Ulm in the 2003-2004 preseason before officially joining TBB Trier and Head Coach Joe Whelton. Musch was a key C for Whelton's teams and the two have a terrific relationship. Detlef also attended Davidson College several years before former Wildcat forward Emeka Erege attended the school.
MAPLE LEAFS, EH!
Trier G James Gillingham and C Nate Doornekamp, two important pieces to Trier's success, both hail from north of the boarder in Canada. Doornekamp played collegiately at Boston College while Gillingham attended Bradley.
FIRST TEAM ALL-BUNDESLIGA!
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was named First Team All-Bundesliga earlier this week and finished second in league MVP voting behind Ludwigsburg's Jerry Green. Congratulations Jeff!
NEWCOMER!
ratiopharm Ulm G Jonathan Levy finished third in Bundesliga Newcomer of the Year voting behind winner Je'kel Foster of Ludwigsburg and runner-up Zygimantas Jonusas from Bremerhaven.
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain ready for challenges in Trier!
Jonathan Levy: 3rd in voting for Newcomer of the Year!
Jeff Gibbs: named 1st team all bundesliga and 2nd in MVP vote
Austen Rowland: key plays helped Ulm top Trier December 30th
Bryan Lucas: outstanding effort and production in Sunday loss
Konrad Wysocki: Ulm's energizer off the bench!
Maksym Shtein: C started vs Trier December 30th.
Ian Young: provides depth for Ulm
Christian Grosse: hit two clutch threes sparking Ulm to Dec 30th win.
Florian Mobius: ready to hep front court
EJ Gallup: excellent minutes in Sunday loss to Bremerhaven.
Jan Sprunken: could be a key against Trier zone defenses.
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Trier, Germany
Main Sponsor: Bitburger
Home Court: Trier Arena
website: www.trierer-basketball.de
2005-2006: 15-15 9th place Bundesliga
Offense: After just missing the Bundeslgia playoffs last season, Trier has rebuilt their roster around two Canadian players and added an array of imports. With 8 import players and 2 Germans on the roster, Head Coach Joe Whelton and team have restructured their team around shooting guard James Gillingham and 7' C Nate Doornekamp. Athletic wing Brandon Gay will also be a big-time player for Trier while newly signed Tommy Adams and Ernest Scott could add instant offense. Look for Adams to be a top newcomer this season. Big men Danny Horace (physical) and Josh Almanson (athletic) bring variety to the front court. Veteran C Detlef Musch and young G Patrick Palzer are two Germans on the roster.
Defense:Trier has built an athletic roster with big, physical post players. Coach Whelton can choose from a variety of players to snuff any matchup problem in the frontcourt. An experienced team, Trier looks to get over the hump and into the Bundesliga post season this year!
Head Coach: Joe Whelton
Players:
Tommy Adams: excellent scoring G/ capable of going OFF
James Gillingham: dead-eye marksman from three
Nate Doornekamp: big C with skill/ building block for Trier
Brandon Gay: terrific scoring athlete at the 3/4
Ernest Scott: new addition expected to add offensive punch
Detlef Musch: veteran C one of good guys in the league
Patrick Palzer: young German G
Josh Almanson: athletic 4 man/ top player in Luxemburg last year
Marcus Taylor: has solidified Trier point spot
Tate Decker: joined Trier from Skyliners/shooting big man
Danny Horace: physical post joins Trier from Finland
