TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
KUHBERG CLASSIC!
ratiopharm Ulm vs. Walter Tigers Tubingen
Saturday May 12, 2007 7:30pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm , Germany
Sunday October 26, 2003, the last time ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen tipped off a meaningful game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, an instant classic in German Basketball history was born. At the time pole position for the 2.Bundesliga South was at stake. Entering that memorable Sunday as two unbeaten teams at 5-0, the two rivals met head to head as both salivated over an "Aufstieg". After an amazing double-overtime game, marked with runs and filled with outstanding plays, former Tiger guard Brian Jones made the difference by making a game-clinching right wing three propelling Tubingen to a memorable 113-110 Double-OT win. The heart-breaking loss was a defining moment for the young ratiopharm Ulm team and would serve as a hard lesson --- in losing the game, and eventually finishing second to Tubingen, Ulm learned what it took to win. Seasons later, ratiopharm Ulm has a 2.Bundesliga South championship and outstanding "rookie" season in the Bundesliga under their belt. With one game remaining in the 2006-2007 Bundesliga season, Sportszentrum Kuhberg is once again the site for a meaningful Ulm-Tubingen game. And Saturday night is not simply a season finale --- more than just the last game on the season-schedule, for ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen, Saturday's game represents the next chapter in a great basketball rivalry. Instantly, Saturday is a Kuhberg Classic!
Ulm's Bryan Lucas starred in the seasons first showdown with a 17 point 11 rebound double-double against Tubingen. Saturday, the next chapter in this classic rivalry is up for grabs!
Looking back at the exciting Ulm-Tubingen rivalry, recent seasons indicate the intensity. 2003-2004 saw the two teams battle head-to-head throughout the 2.Bundesliga South season as both chased the league championship. Tubingen was the favorite and the early season Double-overtime win in Ulm gave them the upper hand of playing the season in the lead. Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm hunted Tubingen for the remainder of the season and set up a second season-definining game in Tubingen in early March. Again, as that game tipped off, a second instant classic was born. After terrific resiliency in coming back twice, it was ratiopharm Ulm who had a chance to steal a win on the road. Tied 70-70 with last seconds ticking down, Ulm captain Emeka Erege found himself open on the right wing. Unfortunately, Emeka's three point look went halfway in and rimmed out sending the game to over time --- fitting for the season after their October Double-OT duel. Tubingen surged ahead early in the extra session before another outstanding Ulm comeback. Finally, in overtime, tied 84-84, Ulm executed an endline inbound play to score with under ten seconds to play. A defelected pass resulted in a loose ball scramble which led to officials calling Erege for his 5th foul. Emeka became Ulm's tragic hero --- scoring 30 points in an unbelieveable effort, the team saw the first glimpse of their captain's "Warriors heart". But Ulm was forced to watch Tubingen's Sebastian Maio walk the entire length of the floor to the foul line for two winning free throws with 2 seconds left in overtime. The 86-84 road loss was the second heartbreaker for the young Ulm team against Tubingen. The scars of 2003-2004 became 5 points and three overtimes. From the depth of these heart-breaking defeats, the Ulmer heart formed.
Ulm's Jonathan Levy loves the challenge of the rivalry presented by Tubingen and AJ Moye.
Since the 2003-2004 season, ratiopharm Ulm pursued the "Aufstieg" with a passion. Drawing on the hard lessons learned in the Tubingen rivalry along with many others, the teams dream finally came true two seasons later in 2005-2006. Meanwhile, southwest in Tubingen, the Tigers were firmly establishing themselves as a solid Bundesliga organization. Even though the teams competed in different leagues, they never forgot. Even the fans remembered the special Ulm-Tubingen rivalry. The intensity stayed alive awaiting the next meeting. Over the two years the teams were not in the same league, Tubingen fans consistently chanted songs against Ulm --- now THAT is a rivalry! Click the following ling to see the chant
( http://www.neckartigers.de/templates/ntig/video/umba.wmv )
In an intriguing sub-plot to Saturday's Showdown, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Tubingen's Rasko Katic will go head to head in their battle to be Bundesliga REBOUND KING!
This season has been extremely positive for both ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen. While Ulm has established themselves well as a first year Bundesliga team, Tubingen has enjoyed their most productive season in Germany's premiere basketball league. After two 11-23 seasons in their first two Bundesliga campaigns, Tubingen has notched 16 wins heading into the seasons final showdown at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Included in their victory haul is a fantatic 74-71 home win over German power ALBA Berlin December 12 and a season opening 81-72 home win over Rheinenergie Koln. Tubingen also topped another rival EnBW Ludwigsburg 86-82 Febuary 24th at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. Clearly the Tigers have made progress throughout this season. In fact, down the stretch, Tubingen has played their best basketball and have won 6 of their last 9 and 2 of their last 3.
Austen Rowland has his sights set on the Bundesliga Assist title entering Saturday nights season finale averaging 6.0ast per game.
Head Coach Aaron McCarthy brings excellent experience to Tubingen and has helped them to reach new heights. A Bundesliga coaching veteran, McCarthy has brought the best out of several Tigers this season. Bundesliga All Star AJ Moye is the Tubingen go-to-guy. Leading the team in scoring at 14.9ppg, Moye also averages 4.9reb and 3ast per game. A skilled scorer, the former Indiana Hoosier can create offense off the dribble or post up effectively. A tough matchup for any defender, Moye is a key to the Tubingen attack. Joining Moye as an important offensive weapon, Center Rasko Katic stands strong in the lane firmly establishing the inside presence for the Tigers. Not only does the veteran big man Katic score 13.8pg, he also is in a head to head battle against Ulm's Jeff Gibbs for the Bundesliga rebound-crown. While Gibbs gets 9.5reb per game, Katic catches 9.3. Indeed, Saturday's showdown supports a sub-plot for the Bundesliga rebound king. Along with Moye and Katic, slashing wing Kevin Melson has added energy to boost the Tiger attack. An athletic scoring forward, Melson has produced 11.1ppg with 3.8reb while hitting 42% from beyond the arc. Missing last weeks home game against Frankfurt due to injury, Melson will be a game time decision Saturday against Ulm. Like Melson, another important midseason addition for the Tigers was point guard Waitari Marsh who has given Tubingen 9.8ppg with 2.3reb and 2.1ast in his 13 games played. Since Marsh's arrival, Tubingen has played their best basketball of the season as he has solidified the teams backcourt. Unfortunately for Tubignen, like Melson, Marsh will be a game time decision Saturday as he also has battled injuries recently. Marsh's former teammate in the Iranian basketball league, power forward Jamaal Davis is a talented and experienced big man who provides depth and perimeter shooting to the Tiger frontcourt. Davis scores 7ppg with 3.8reb. Former Purdue Boilermaker forward Matt Kiefer is another frontcourt factor with 8.4ppg and 5.5reb. Kiefer is a physical defender and does the dirty work for his team. Slashing, scoring forward Ray Nixon has been a quality player for Tubignen this season and the former Wisconsin Badger has produced 7.8ppg with 2.9reb and 35% three point shooting. Nixon excels in transition and helps his team on both ends of the floor. Something else that really helps the Tubingen team is the sweet shooting stroke of Igor Perovic, a crafty experienced guard who can flat out shoot it. Perovic is also an underrated passer and playmaker. This season Igor has scored 6.8ppg with 2.3reb on 33% three point accuracy but the streaky three point threat has the ability to take over games from beyond the arc. Finally, hardworking defensive stopper Jay Thomas and veteran forward Robert Wintermantel round out the roster. Saturday's game will be extra special for Wintermantel, who is retiring from basketball as he completes a successful and solid playing career.
Ulm-Tubingen, a special basketball rivalry!
On the Ulm side, the team aims to complete a successful first Bundesliga season with a win. Entering Saturday's showdown with a 16-17 record, ratiopharm Ulm would love to finish 500 at an even 17-17. Also on the line is "PRIDE" from the "Badem Wurttenberg Championship", the head to head matchup of Southern regional rival teams ratiopharm Ulm, Walter Tigers Tubingen, EnBW Ludwigsburg and BG Karlsruhe. With a win over Tubingen, Ulm will have completed their 6 games against these rivals 5-1 but a Tubingen win brings three teams (Ulm, Tubingen and Ludwigsburg) even at 4-2. Along with the team success, ratiopharm Ulm players are also chasing individual accoladea as Jeff Gibbs goes after another rebound crown and Austen Rowland eyes a Bundesliga assist title. For sure, for Ulm, there will be alot to play for on Saturday.
In this years first meeting between these two rivals, the game lived up to billing as both teams exchanged exciting runs before ratiopharm Ulm emerged victorious with a 72-65 road win at Tubingen Arena Sunday January 14th. In that intense atmosphere, Ulm withstood a 23-8 second quarter run and 8-0 Tubingen start to the second half by answering with an 18-0 third quarter run and excellent play down the stretch to take the win. Jeff Gibbs topscored with 19 points and 6 boards while Bryan Lucas came up big for Ulm with an outstanding 17 point 11 rebound double double. Jonathan Levy added 15 points for Ulm and Konrad Wysocki was sharp with 11 key points off the bench. Rasko Katic led Tubingen with 18 points 6 rebounds and the Tigers outrebounded Ulm 52-42. Tubingen's Matt Kiefer was a major part of that with 12 points 17 rebounds against Ulm. Certainly, both teams need only look back as far as January for more motivation.
Ulm's Mike Taylor and Jeff Gibbs are excited about Saturday's Showdown!
Ulm against Tubingen has everything that goes into a great rivalry. There is tradition. There is familiarity. There is proximity. There are personalities. And most important, there is competition. All of these things over time have built a fantastic regional rivalry with treasured history and no games between these two rivals are more memorable than the two unforgettable classics from 2003-2004. Now for the first time since October 26, 2003, Ulm hosts Tubingen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. And with pride of the traditional rivalry on the line Saturday night could be the next Kuhberg classic!
ratiopharm Ulm celebrates their January win over rival Walter Tigers Tubingen. Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg could be the next instant classic!
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR BADEM WURTTENBERG!
With a win over Tubingen on Saturday, ratiopharm Ulm will post the best head-to-head record among the 4 regional teams in the South. Ulm can capture the ficticious Badem Wurttenberg Championship this season between Ulm, Tubingen, Ludwigsburg and Karlsruhe by beating the Tigers Saturday. Of course the bragging rights add to the rivalry! See the standings below:
entering Saturday
W L
ratiopharm Ulm 4 1
EnBW Ludwigsburg 4 2
Walter Tigers Tubingen 3 2
BG Karlsruhe 0 6
While EnBW Ludwigsburg's special season has propelled them to the top of the Bundesliga, ratiopharm Ulm goes for Badem Wurttenberg bragging rights on Saturday!
EJ GALLUP EXTENDED CONTRACT!
Earlier this week, ratiopharm Ulm announced the extension of shooting guard EJ Gallup's contract. Joining his new team as a "stand-by American" in late March, Gallup quickly impressed Ulm staff and was put on the teams active roster. EJ becomes the sixth player under contract with ratiopharm Ulm for next season joining Captain Emeka Erege, Jeff Gibbs, Bryan Lucas, Konrad Wysocki and Florian Mobius.
REBOUND BATTLE!
Not only is Tubingen a top rebounding team, but C Rasko Katic is among the best rebounders in the Bundesliga. Saturday, he and Jeff Gibbs will duel for the leagues rebounding title. Gibbs enters Saturday averaging 9.5reb per game while Katic pulls 9.3.
ASSIST KING!
Austen Rowland's recent outstanding play has elevated him statistically to the top spot in the assist category. Since his 12 dime performance in Braunschweig March 28th, Rowland has posted another 12 assist game along with an amazing 18 assist effort in Trier. Overall, Rowland is poised to lead the league in assists with 6.0astpg.
BIG TEN ALL STAR TEAM!
Tubingen has recruited the Big Ten conference extremely well this season building their team with former Big Ten stars AJ Moye (Indiana), Ray Nixon (Wisconsin), Matt Kiefer (Purdue) and Tony Stockman (Ohio State).
PRESEASON!
Tubingen has visited Sportszentrum Kuhberg the last two preseasons and emerged with Fritz & Macziol championships each time. Last season, Tubingen topped Ulm 72-70 and this year Ulm edged Tubingen 65-59.
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 has been big part of rivlary!
Jonathan Levy: loves the Ulm-Tubingen rivalry atmosphere!
Jeff Gibbs: goes for Bundesliga rebound crown on Saturday!
Austen Rowland: Ulm's floor general poised to lead league in assists!!
Bryan Lucas: 17pt 11reb double double in January win over Tigers!
Konrad Wysocki: strong 11pt off bench to boost Ulm in Tubingen!
EJ Gallup: extended contract earlier in the week!
Maksym Shtein: knows Ulm-Tubingen rivalry and looks to finish season strong!
Ian Young: part of Ulm bench
Christian Grosse: has been with Ulm-Tubingen rivalry every step of the way!
Florian Mobius: dependable post player ready to add depth !
Jan Sprunken: crafty veteran excited about Saturdays game
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Tubingen, Germany
Main Sponsor: Walter
Home Court: TüArena
website: www.walter-tigers.de
2005-2006: 11-19 12th place Bundesliga
Offense: Taking over the Tubingen team midway through last season, Head Coach Aaron McCarthy helped the Tigers finish the year positively. After a summer to recruit his players, Tubingen has a new look and new optimism. Only super-shooting G Igor Perovic and experienced big men Raski Katic and Robert Wintermantel return. New Import players expected to make an impact include newly named captain AJ Moye and quality big men Jamaal David and Matt Kiefer. Hardworking wing Jay Thomas joins the Tigers after successful stints with Heidelberg and Bayern Munich. Athletic F Ray Nixon from U of Wisconsin should also prove a solid addition. One very positive aspect of the Tigers is their relentless rebounding. Although the team is new, the talent is there and the Tigers hope to spring up the standings this season.
Defense: A nice mix of athletes and size, Tubingen is capable of a variety of defensive looks. Athletes AJ Moye (league MVP in Iceland last season) adds intensity while Davis and Keifer are physical athletes. Thomas has always been a top perimeter defender with outstanding effort. As with last sason, the key for the Tigers remains how their personalities gell. Several players have the potential to be go-to guys and playmakers.
GM: Harald Prinz
Head Coach: Aaron McCarthy
Players:
AJ Moye: relentless 3 with inside-out skills/MVP in Iceland / All Star in Germany
Jamaal Davis: big, athletic skilled post man
Matt Keifer: crafty 4 from Purdue University/ 17reb vs Ulm in January!
Igor Perovic: super shooting combo guard
Rasko Katic: veteran big man/ starting 5/ battling Gibbs for rebound crown
Robert Wintermantel: retiring after Saturdays game
Jay Thomas: excellent perimeter D/team player
Ray Nixon: versatile athletic F from U of Wisconsin
Kevin Melson: athletic scoring F/midseason addition/ game time decision
Waitari March: PGguided Tigers to best games of yr/ also game time decision
