TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
RIVALS!
ULM-TUBINGEN TIP OFF NEW YEAR!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Walter Tigers Tubingen
Saturday January 5, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
The more things change, the more they stay the same --- but the intensity and heated emotion of a true sports rivalry never fades. At the start of every season, everyone checks the schedule for the matchups against their rival and checks those games off as special. More than simply the next game, the tradition-rich basketball battle between Ulm and Tubingen holds a special place in German basketball history. Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, these two teams tip off the New Year writing the next chapter in (arguably) the Bundesliga's best basketball rivalry.
ratiopharm Ulm PG Kyle Bailey fractured a thumb in practice and will miss the next several games.
Since Christmas break, much has changed. Tubingen let Head Coach Aaron McCarthy go and their search for a new playcaller continues into the New Year. Assistant Rainer Kloss, who replaced former Assistant Wendell Tull midway through the first half of the season, was named interim head coach for the Tigers and is expected to lead the team Saturday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. With injury problems (especially at the point guard position), Tubingen added playmaker Patrick Sparks who opened the season on an injury replacement contract with the Giessen 46ers. Rather than extend his contract one month longer through January with Giessen, the former Kentucky Wildcat moved to Tubingen where he has signed for the remainder of this season. The changes in Tubingen were made to spark life into the Tigers team as they tip off the New Year.
Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm once again faces injury issues of their own. After working through Captain Emeka Erege's numerous ailgments earlier in the season, ratiopharm Ulm personnel were extremely happy to be healthy heading into the holidays. Unfortunately, the new year brought new adversity as starting point guard Kyle Bailey fractured his thumb in practice days after Christmas. Expected to miss several weeks, Ulm will rely on rookie point guard Dru Joyce as Bailey's primary replacement. University of Akron's all time assist leader has been impressive as a Bundesliga newcomer and his vast experience playing alongside NBA superstar LeBron James at Akron St Vincent St Marys will be invaluable as he takes on the next challenges. Dru plays with experience beyond his years and has a terrific feel for the game, likely a result from being the son of a successful high school coach (Dru's father is currently the head coach at StVincent St Marys in Akron). With Dru in the starting five for the next few games, the young floor general will gain excellent experience and the Ulm team will benefit later in the season when starter Bailey returns. But Joyce will not be alone in picking up the slack left with KB's injury. Backcourt players EJ Gallup, Sebastian Betz and Jan Sprunken will all carry a greater load. Captain Emeka Erege will be called upon to expand his responsibilities as well. Overall, the entire Ulm roster has responded well when shorthanded. The team overcame injury to Erege and handled the family time of Bryan Lucas extremely well in the first half of the year. Although Bailey's excellent point guard play will be missed, Ulm aims to hold the fort until their quarterback can return. After all, the sign of a true team is covering for each other and picking one another up in tough times. Success is more about sticking together than statistics.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs is the keystone for his team and leads the Bundesliga in rebounding.
At the Christmas break, ratiopharm Ulm has been enjoyed a terrific start to the season. Entering Saturday's derby, Ulm currently leads the Bundesliga in scoring (82.5ppg) and rebounding (35.4reb). Tubingen is also a strong rebounding team ranking 3rd at the Holiday break. Individually, the game features a terrific matchup and battle under the boards as Ulm brings the Bundesliga's top two individual rebounders in Jeff Gibbs 10.5reb and Konrad Wysocki 9.9reb while the Tigers boast big man Rasko Katic at 8.9reb. Certainly, the hardfought competitive rivalry will play out as a rebound battle on both ends of the floor.
ratiopharm Ulm's Konrad Wysocki is a Bundesliga All Star and remains a key to his teams success! Konrad averages 13ppg and ranks second in the league in rebounding at 9.9reb.
Tracking the Ulm-Tubingen rivalry, recent games since 2003-2004 season have added to the competitive history between the two teams. Last season, Ulm and Tubingen split their first two official games since both teams returned to the Bundesliga. Both teams won on their opponents home floor in 2006-2007. In the final game of last season,
Ulm's Bryan Lucas led the way with 16 points while EJ Gallup drilled 5 of 9 threes to drop 15 points. Jeff Gibbs added 10 points 12 rebounds for Ulm. Overall, Ulm shot 42% from the floor, 52% (12-23) from the foul line and 32% (9-28) from three. For Tubingen, AJ Moye topscored with 30 points while C Rasko Katic added 22 points 15 rebounds. As a team Tubingen hit 58% from the floor, and (54%) 7-13 from three. A key factor for the Tigers was their offensive production in the paint where they made 67% of their shots 23-34. Interestingly, Ulm also had 34 attempts in the lane but converted 18 (53%). Tubingen also outrebounded Ulm 44-35. Click the links below for Game Summaries from recent Ulm v Tubingen rivalry games:
2007-2008 Preseason Fritz & Macziol Cup
2006-2007 May 12th Game Summary
2006-2007 January 14th Game Summary
In 2004-2005 Tubingen played in the Bundesliga while Ulm remained in the 2.Bundesliga South. The two teams met only in the preseason at Ulm's Fritz & Macziol Classic. In 2005-2006, ratiopharm Ulm enjoyed their 2.Bundesliga South Championship season while Tubingen battled in the Bundesliga. Again, the two teams met only in the preseason at Ulm's Fritz & Macziol Cup. For the record, the Tigers captured the Ulm tournament title both preseasons.
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.
ratiopharm Ulm's Bryan Lucas has been terrific all season and currently leads the balanced scoring with 14.6ppg
Tubingen's 2007-2008 opened with high expectations. After earning their best Bundesliga finish ever in 2006-2007, Head Coach Aaron McCarthy built a talented team filled with familiar faces and key pieces to Tiger success. Tubingen opened the year with hopes of playoff and title contention and raced to a 3-0 record in the early season with strong wins. October 5th, in their season opener at home, Tubingen hammered Trier 77-53 and seemingly asserted themselves as a power to-be in the new season. The next week Tubingen captured two wins --- October 11th, the Tigers earned a terrific road win beating Eisbaren Bremerhaven 72-62 in Bremerhaven and October 14th they topped Science City Jena 76-69 at home. October 19th, Tubingen dropped their first game in Oldenburg losing 81-63 but bounced back October 21st to beat Paderborn at home by exactly the same score 81-63. At 4-1, Tubingen was in a terrific place with everything in their hands. But a hardfought 59-54 road loss in Bamberg on October 28th seemed to change things. The tough loss to the reigning German champs at JAKO Arena started a string of six straight losses as the Tigers fell November 3rd 78-70 at home to Deutsche Bank Skyliners, 71-62 November 11th in Bonn, 79-77 at home to Leverkusen November 17th, 62-54 November 24th at home to Braunschweig and 99-75 to rival EnBW Ludwigsburg December 1st. Finally able to snap their skid, Tubingen earned a strong 76-67 home win over Artland December 8th but were obliterated 90-50 on the road the next weekend December 15th in Giessen. December 22nd at Tubingen Arena, the Tigers held command of the game against BG 74 Gottingen before falling victim to a tremendous comeback in Gottingen's 82-73 road win dropping Tubingen to 5-9 and 1-8 in their last 9 games. Tubingen management Roland Opperman and Christian Roth decided to make a coaching change in over Christmas Break and despite guiding Tubingen to their best finish ever last season, Aaron McCarthy was let go. Now, with Assistant Rainer Kloss at the helm as interim Coach, the veteran Tiger team will take aim on rival ratiopharm Ulm amidst turmoil. These Tigers travels to Ulm ready for the rivalry, but with much baggage from their recent skid and mid-season organizational moves.
Ulm rookie Dru Joyce moves into the starting lineup replacing injured Kyle Bailey. The Akron product is Akron University's all time assist leader and has been a strong defender and playmaker as a Bundesliga rookie.
The 2007-2008 Tubingen team is a talented one complete with Bundesliga All Stars on their roster. AJ Moye remains one of the most talented players in the league and averages 12.7ppg 3.1reb while shooting 32% from three and 72% from the foul line. The Tiger captain enjoyed a terrific game in Ulm last season scoring a game best 30 points in the Tubingen road win. This season center Rasko Katic has earned his all star nomination scoring 14.7ppg with 8.9reb. Katic is one of the Bundesliga's best inside scorers and has been a force for the Tigers the last two seasons. Along with these two All Star type players, talented forward Bingo Merriex returned to Tubingen after a season playing in Belgium. The skilled power forward has produced 9.9ppg with 8.1reb and 40% three point shooting. The threesome of Moye, Merriex and Katic give Tubingen a strong core of talent to work with. Surrounding these three key players, Tubingen features athletic wings Ray Nixon (7.2ppg 3.2reb 29%three) and DeAndre Hulett (5.9ppg 3.7reb 25% threes) who are terrific defenders and excellent athletes. Former Bundesliga All Star Ryan DeMichael (5.9ppg 3.7reb 35% threes) is also a factor for the team from the bench. Throughout the season, injuries have plagued the teams point guard position and Waitari Marsh remains sidelined. After a short stint with the team, Terrence McGee was released due to an injury. Despite not having their new Head Coach in place, Tubingen added former Giessen PG Patrick Sparks to their roster over Christmas Break. With the 46ers, the former Kentucky Wildcat PG produced 10pt 4.3ast and drilled 45% from three point land. A solid pickup, the addition of Sparks takes pressure off veteran point man Igor Perovic who was overloaded with minutes in fighting through the injuries to the Tiger roster. Perovic has averaged 5.6ppg 2.1reb and 3ast while shooting 31% from three. Also looking for more action the second half of the season are Tiger backups Jay Thomas and Douglass Gorauskas. Thomas is a strong team player who defends the perimeter extremely well while Gorauskas is a physical post sub. Through their tough times, the rivarly game against ratiopharm Ulm will surely rally the Tubingen team.
Ulm's EJ Gallup is making his mark as a terrific perimeter scorer.
The more things change, the more they stay the same --- and the exciting matchup between two rival teams like ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen may change in personnel but it will always remain the same in intensity. For basketball fans, the Ulm-Tubingen rivalry is the perfect way to tip off 2008! Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
BBL.TV!
ratiopharm Ulm's German Cup game in Trier can be seen live on BBL.TV Thursday 815pm.
EMEKA'S BUZZER BEATER ON YOUTUBE! Basketball fans from all over the world can re-live the magic of Emeka Erege's amazing halfcourt buzzer beating game winner from Oldenburg Sunday on YOUTUBE. Go to www.youtube.com and search "BBL 2007/08: Ulm - Oldenburg Buzzerbeater"
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain leading by example for his team!!
Kyle Bailey: fractured thumb has Bailey sidelined
Jeff Gibbs: Ulm's PF leading league in rebounding!
Bryan Lucas: enjoying excellent season as Ulms post man
Konrad Wysocki: earned All Star starting spot with strong play
Dru Joyce: rookie PG moves into starting lineup with Bailey injury!
Florian Mobius: key post sub looks to continue in 2008!
EJ Gallup: Ulm sharpshooter ready to display versatility!
Sean Finn: Ulm big man key for battle on the boards
Sebastian Betz: key sub for Ulm perimeter depth
Jan Sprunken: veteran presence helps with injuries and adversity!
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Tubingen, Germany
Main Sponsor: Walter
Home Court: TüArena
website: www.walter-tigers.de
2006-2007: 17-17 10th place Bundesliga
Offense: Expectations and excitement are high for the Tubingen Tigers as predictions of playoffs have been made this preseason. The return of former star Bingo Merriex and additions of Bundesliga All Star Ryan DeMichael provide the Tigers a talented group to work with. All Star AJ Moye and excellent C Rasko Katic return to give the Tigers a great scoring punch and teaming up with Merriex and DeMichael has all Tiger fans excited. Also important is the return of veteran PG Waitari Marsh who finished last season strong in Tubingen. Veteran combo guard Igor Perovic adds his steady skills and a fantastic 3pt threat and hardworking Jay Thomas provides effort and strong defense on the wing. New post man Douglass Gorauskas will bring a physical edge to the post and athletic DeeAndre Hullet plays above the rim. Overall, Tubingen aims to take big steps forward this season with their talented roster.
Defense: Tubingen enjoys physical post players with good size and a solid defensive PG in Marsh. Moye and Merriex are outstanding offensive players who can defend extremely well and play both ends effectively. The teams best defender is arguably Jay Thomas who uses his athleticism well on the wing. As a team, the Tigers enjoy changing defenses and often confuse their opponents to control tempo. For Tubingen fans, the 2007-2008 season is shaping up to be a memorable one when they can root for their terrific and talented team.
GM:
Head Coach: TBA (Rainer Kloss interim)
Players:
Bingo Merriex: top player returns after yr in Belgium
AJ Moye: relentless 3 with inside-out skills/all star
Waitari Marsh: injured starting PG
Tim Modersitzki: young G
Igor Perovic: super shooting combo guard
Rasko Katic: veteran big man/ starting 5
DeeAndre Hullet: athletic wing new to Tigers
Ryan DeMichael: talented F joins Tigers from Nurnberg
Douglass Gorauskas: physical inside presence
Jay Thomas: excellent perimeter D/team player
Patrick Sparks: signed over Christmas break/excellent shooting PG
