TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm at Trier Saturday!
ratiopharm Ulm @ TBB Trier
Saturday March 29, 2008 8pm
Trier Arena Trier, Germany
Saturday night ratiopharm Ulm visits TBB Trier for the third game between the teams this season and both teams have much to play for. After beating Bayer Leverkusen Monday, Ulm takes a three game winning streak into Trier and have their sights set on working their way back into the playoff picture. Meanwhile, Trier is fighting for their Bundesliga lives battling against relegation. After a tight Ulm German Cup win in Trier Thursday January 10th, basketball fans can expect an exciting evening Saturday at Trier Arena.
Ulm's Romeo Travis has made a terrific impact with his new team!
This season ratiopharm Ulm and Trier have met twice with Ulm earning wins in both games. Most recently, Ulm advanced in the German Cup with a hardfought 73-68 road win over Trier Thursday night January 10th. Without injured point guard Kyle Bailey, Ulm's Dru Joyce stepped into the starting lineup and stepped up to score 27 points in a fantastic game helping to lead his team to the road win. Ulm's strong start gave them a 23-13 lead after one quarter and a 12 point lead at half before holding off a Trier comeback. Ulm advanced to the Elite Eight of the German Cup before falling at ALBA Berlin in a memorable double-overtime game Wednesday March 19th.
Click here for Ulm @ Trier January 10th German Cup Game Summary!
Ulm All Star Jeff Gibbs provides toughness and power to his teams attack!
Earlier this season ratiopharm Ulm faced TBB Trier 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.
Last season ratiopharm Ulm won on the road in Trier in an exciting uptempo game highlighted by Jeff Gibbs' monster dunk and a strong team effort. Former Ulm point guard Austen Rowland also played well dishing out a Bundesliga best 18 assists for Ulm that April evening. Now a playmaker for Trier, Rowland will certainly be excited to play his former squad Saturday night.
Click here for Ulm @ Trier April 21, 2007 game summary.
Rookie Dru Joyce has been an outstanding floor general for Ulm!
Trier opened the season losing back to back games in Tubingen 77-53 October 5th and at home to Braunschweig 83-78 October 12th. Sunday October 14th Trier notched their first win of the season beating EnBW Ludwigsburg 90-75 at Rundesporthalle. They lost back to back games in Artland 97-69 October 19th and in Giessen 107-98 in overtime October 21st. The next weekend Trier captured their second victory beating BG74 Gottingen 106-91 October 28th at Trier Arena. But Trier lost their next five games in Berlin 92-81 October 31st, home versus Koln 88-73 November 10th, at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm 92-70 November 17th, at Wilhelm Dopatka Halle in Leverkusen 84-74 November 21st and home to Eisbaren Bremerhaven 75-63 December 2nd. With a record of 2-9, Trier management brought new coach Yves Defraigne in from Belgium. 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. Unfortunately for Trier, the team suffered another five game skid losing at home to Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 74-67 December 15th, at Paderborn 91-82 December 21st, at home to Telekom Baskets Bonn 66-64 January 5th, at home again to brose Baskets Bamberg 73-71 January 13th and away at Deutsche Bank Skyliners 72-54 January 26th. At 3-14, Trier beat Walter Tigers Tubingen 96-74 Febuary 2nd at Trier Arena to earn their fourth win. But the team dropped three straight losing in Braunschweig 94-84 Febuary 13th, at home to Ludwigsburg 99-75 Febuary 17th and at home to Artland 90-83 Febuary 23rd. Trier came up big taking an important 69-61 home win over LTi Giessen 46ers March 2nd but have lost three straight falling to BG74 Gottingen 79-70 Febuary 9th, at home to ALBA Berlin 100-99 in a fantastic overtime game Febuary 15th and finally last week on the road in Koln 82-70 Febuary 20th. At 5-20, Trier is fighting for survival to stay in the Bundesliga and every game counts. Currently one of the two teams in the relegation spot, Trier is trying to catch 6-19 Giessen and possible 7-18 Tubingen. With 8 games remaining, anything can happen. Giessen holds the tie breaker over Trier winning by 9 early in the season while Trier won by 8 on March 2nd. Already with a win over Jena, Trier meets Jena in an important game April 12th at Trier Arena.
Ulm All Star Konrad Wysocki has made excellent development in his game!
Trier's roster has seen significant changes throughout the season. Jerome Coleman, Robert Jackson, Tim Frost, Kyle Wilson all left Trier early to mid season while Austen Rowland, Mike Benton and Marshall Phillips all arrived later on. Earlier this week post man John Whorton was released by the team. While several new faces have arrived, an old face resurfaced after injury rehabilitation --- point guard Marcus Taylor recently returned to action after missing significant time on the injured list. Trier's current lineup has been in top form recent weeks taking ALBA Berlin to overtime and earning the big home win over Giessen. Rowland (8.4pt 3.1reb 4.3ast) , a former Ulm playmaker who led the Bundesliga in assists while with Ulm last year, splits time with the now-healthy Marcus Taylor (8pt 2.5reb 1.5ast) at the point. The two point guard attack gives Head Coach Defraigne options. Daniel Cage (8.5pt 1.9reb 2ast 47%three) has been impressive in his rookie season out of Vanderbilt and provides Trier with a terrific three point threat. The arrival of Marshall Phillips (11.3ppg 5.3reb) has established a versatile and athletic presence on both ends. Phillips has enjoyed several big scoring games and plays strong defense. All Star power forward Caleb Green (18.4ppg 6.4reb 2.2ast 41% three) has emerged as a go-to scorer and been a bright spot for Trier this year. A talented inside-outside scorer, Green meeting up with Gibbs will be a matchup to watch Saturday night. Big Mike Benton (6.4pt 4.1reb) is an inside scorer who gives Trier a veteran big man with skills and defensive ability. The release of John Whorton opens opportunity for post men Josh Almanson (6.4pt 2.4reb 34%three) and rookie Maik Zirbes. A three point threat with length and mobility, Almanson adds intelligence and versatility from the bench while Zirbes is a talented young prospect who has played well at the Albert-Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim this week. From the bench, Captain James Gillingham (11.6pt 2.7reb 2.3ast 30%three) adds intense defense and perimeter skills to the backcourt and Jonathan Moore (4.4pt 3.2reb) brings defense and athleticism as a swing man. Gillingham has been a starter for Trier for several seasons but has been injured recently and is working his way back to health. Young German guards Christian Hoffmann (9-18 threes) and Kosta Karamatsos have seen more minutes in recent weeks and show signs for the future.
Ulm's EJ Gallup provides a constant three point threat!
While Trier aims to win to help themselves remain in the league, ratiopharm Ulm can mathematically ensure they stay in the Bundesliga with a win Saturday accomplishing the teams most important goal. Entering Saturdays game with a 12-14 record, Ulm looks to make the most of their 8 remaining games and climb back into the playoff race. A road win in Trier is critical to that goal.
Ulm's Bryan Lucas has added a spark from the bench!
After Monday's strong team performance in the home win over Bayer Leverkusen, ratiopharm Ulm rides momentum into Trier Arena. Unfortunately, injuries remain a part of the picture as Captain Emeka Erege and point guard Kyle Bailey will miss the game due to their physical problems. Erege remains hard at work rehabbing his knee while Bailey continues to rehab his broken thumb. Along with these two significant injuries, minor injuries to Bryan Lucas and Konrad Wysocki forced the two key players to miss practice midweek. Both Lucas and Wysocki will play.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie Sebastian Betz has earned more minutes in the rotation in the absence of captain Emeka Erege!
ratiopharm Ulm has received excellent play from point guard Dru Joyce over the last three months and his development has been a big key to team success in the absence of the injured Bailey. Along with Joyce, center Sean Finn has also made strides forward and has averaged 14.3ppg over his last three Bundesliga starts. Since the arrival of new forward Romeo Travis, Ulm's team defense has improved and the team has won two of his three games. Romeo's versatility and natural talent have helped him make a tremendous impact with his new squad. Long time friend and 8 year teammate Dru Joyce has been a big part of easing Travis' transition to a new team, new league and new country. Also stepping up for Ulm has been rookie wing Sebastian Betz who has seen more minutes in the teams rotation with the injury to captain Emeka Erege. Betz intense defense and excellent shooting touch have been a plus for Ulm's team. As a unit, ratiopharm Ulm remains focused on peaking at the right time and playing their best basketball of the season down the stretch. For Ulm, Saturday nights game in Trier is the next opportunity to win their way back into the playoff race.
Ulm's Sean Finn is averaging 14.3ppg over his last three Bundesliga starts!
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
PRIMETIME MATCHUP!
Basketball fans who catch the Ulm at Trier game Saturday will be treated to a terrific individual matchup in the game as All Star power forwards Jeff Gibbs and Caleb Green go head to head. The two were teammates for the Bundesliga All Star day in Mannheim earlier this season and now provide an entertaining matchup to watch. Gibbs finished with 24 points 9 rebounds 4 assists in the first meeting at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
THREES ARE WILD!
Saturday night two of the Bundesliga's best three point shooters will be in action as Ulm's EJ Gallup and Trier's Daniel Cage take aim from beyond the arc. Gallup currently leads the Bundesliga in three pointers made while Cage hits an impressive 47% from three.
POINT FOR POINT!
Saturday 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. Austen's first game against his former Ulm team was January 10th German Cup matchup at Trier Arena. Last season with Ulm, Austen led the Bundesliga in assists.
ROSTER MOVES
Trier parted ways with John Whorton earlier this week releasing the big man. Replacing him on the roster is talented big man Maik Zirbes who has played extremely well at the Albert-Schweizer Tournament in Mannheim Germany this week.
INJURY LIST
The injured reserve list is a factor for both teams as Ulm plays without Kyle Bailey and Captain Emeka Erege while Trier has been without James Gillingham in recent weeks. Marcus Taylor has recently returned to the Trier lineup giving their team a boost.
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain will miss game with knee injury
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: All Star celebrates birthday March 28th!
Dru Joyce: rookie PG leading Ulm team and making strides
Romeo Travis: has made terrific impact with new team!
Florian Mobius: dependable post sub
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
Marshall Phillips: athletic three man a big pickup for Trier
Austen Rowland: former Ulm PG now leading Trier fastbreak
