TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
vs
DERBY!
RATIOPHARM ULM HOSTS RIVAL TUBINGEN!
ratiopharm Ulm vs WALTER Tigers Tubingen
Saturday April 4th, 2008 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm hosts rival Walter Tigers Tubingen Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in the next exciting chapter of the Baden-Wurtemburg Derby. As always, games between Ulm and Tubingen are intense, competitive and important for fans, but this weekends matchup means even more. With a win, ratiopharm Ulm clinches their first Bundesliga playoff spot since their 2005-2006 'Aufstieg'.
ratiopharm Ulm's first Bundesliga playoff spot is within reach this weekend as they host rival Walter Tigers Tubingen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm Saturday night!
click here for regio-tv report
ratiopharm Ulm returns home to Sportszentrum Kuhberg after a two game road trip last week to Berlin and Koeln. Saturday nights exciting road win over the Koeln 99ers improved ratiopharm Ulm's record to 18-9 on the season and was a major step forward for the team toward a Bundesliga playoff spot. Entering Saturday's Baden Wurtemburg Derby with a 10-2 home record, Ulm has won 3 of 4 and 8 of their last 11 games. A perfect stretch run schedule for a playoff push, starting with the game against Tubingen, ratiopharm Ulm finishes the season with five of their final seven games at home.
Ulm forward Romeo Travis finishes a fast break last season at Tubingen Arena.
Walter Tigers Tubingen enter Saturdays Baden Wurtemburg Derby with a 12-15 record including a 6-4 mark in their last ten games. The Tigers opened the 2008-2009 seasons with a 4-4 record but slipped to a 1-7 stretch falling to 5-11 in early January. Since that point, the Tigers have bounced back to earn a 7-4 record and were working on a three game winning streak before Wednesday nights home loss to Dusseldorf. Aiming for a late season run at a playoff spot, the Tigers are two games out of the 8th playoff spot with 7 games to play. Tubingen is 4-9 on the road this year.
Ulm's floor general Dru Joyce is focused for Saturday's rivalry!
This season, Walter Tigers Tubingen are led by physical post player Rasko Katic (14.6ppg 7.5reb) and skillful Canadian National team point guard Jermain Anderson (13.9ppg 3.2reb 4.1ast). Katic is one of the top inside scoring post men in the Bundesliga while Anderson directs the Tubingen attack well in transition and in ballscreens. Hardworking guard Branislav Ratkovica (9.3ppg 2.1reb 2.5ast) is an excellent defender and has been a key part to the Tiger attack all season. Athletic wing AJ Moye (9.1ppg 3.8reb 31%threes) plays with great intensity on both ends of the floor and is strong posting up or driving one on one. Moye's excellent fullcourt defensive on-ball pressure has been important for Tubingen's success the last several seasons. Athletic wing Richard Chaney has been impressive this season with the Tigers averaging 8.5ppg 5.1reb 38%threes. Chaney is an outstanding rebounder from the wing position and excells in transition. Daniel Fountain is the teams perimeter shooting threat averaging 4.7ppg 1.2reb 35% from three. He enjoyed his most productive game of the year Wednesday night scoring a Tubingen best 22 points in the home loss to Dusseldorf. Fountain is finally healthy after dealing with a sports hernia all season and rushing his comeback earlier this year. Skilled forward Michael Haynes (12.9ppg 4.8reb 34%threes) stretches defenses with his perimeter shooting ability and talent to go one on one. Lefthanded, long, athletic post player Ken Williams (3.4ppg 3.1reb) provides Tubingen defense and shot blocking in the paint and hardworking team player Jay Thomas gives the team defensive effort, active offense and leadership on the wing. Young post man Mirko Anastasov and young guard Pirmin Unger have seen limited minutes throughout the season for Tubingen.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey is coming off an outstanding game in Koln where he sank 5 of 6 threes and topscored with 17 points in the exciting win.
Earlier in the year, ratiopharm Ulm won for the third straight season in Tubingen Arena, beating Walter Tigers Tubingen 84-77 Saturday night November 29th, 2008 in this seasons first edition of the Baden-Wurtemburg Derby. Powered by 400 loud orange-vested fans, Ulm overcame the loss of center Sean Finn to an early ankle injury with a strong team effort. Point guard Dru Joyce topscored with a season-best 25 point performance while Lee Humphrey drilled 5 three pointers on his way to 22 and Romeo Travis added a solid 21 point 11 rebound double double including a cool 9 of 10 from the foul line. While the team production on the floor was excellent, ratiopharm Ulm fans helped energize their team with tremendous enthusiasm inspiring the team to celebrate with the fans after the final buzzer. Earning their third straight win, ratiopharm Ulm's exciting road win over rival Tubingen was simply FAN-tastic!
Click here for Ulm @ Tubingen Baden-Wurtemburg Derby Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm storms the stands taking their 'Baden-Wurtemburg Derby' victory celebration to the fans Saturday night November 29th at Tubingen Arena.
Last season ratiopharm Ulm beat Tubingen twice in Bundesliga play. Ulm understood the meaning of Wednesday night April 23rd, 2008 Baden-Wurtemburg Derby against rival Walter Tigers Tubingen. Focused like the eye of the tiger, ratiopharm Ulm opened the first quarter on fire hitting 5 three pointers and used excellent transition basketball to build a 41-25 first half lead. But as with any excellent rivalry between archenemies, winning requires a complete 40 minute game. After a strong Tubingen comeback and 63-61 Tiger lead with seven minutes to play, ratiopharm Ulm responded to finish the game on a 17-7 run with big baskets from Jeff Gibbs, Dru Joyce and EJ Gallup to seal the win.
Click for complete Ulm @ Tubingen 4-23-08 Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm fans energized their team with loud crowd support last season in Tubingen. Saturday night will be fantastic atmosphere!
January 5th, 2008 Walter Tigers Tubingen pushed to a 57-52 lead before finishing the third quarter up 61-58. A 10-0 Ulm run sparked by Bryan Lucas and EJ Gallup turned momentum in the fourth, but as with any great rivalry, Tubingen battled to the end. Ulm's All Star small forward Konrad Wysocki left the game due to a back injury in the first quarter but returned to inspire his team down the stretch in a special moment at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Ulm's emotional win was celebrated by fans enthusiastically.
Click for Ulm v Tubingen Game Summary from January 5, 2008
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther has been terrific throughout the year and is strong candidate a Bundesliga rookie of the year.
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
ratiopharm Ulm guard Keith Triplett takes on the most challenging defensive assignments and has been a lock-down defender throughout the season.
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.
ratioharm Ulm guard Sebastian Betz has been outstanding in recent weeks including an excellent two game road trip last weekend. This week, German National team Head Coach Dirk Bauermann extended Basti an invitation for the A2 German National team roster.
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. These classic games added to the tremendous history of the Ulm-Tubingen rivalry.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Emeka Erege understands the Ulm-Tubingen rivalry better than any player this weekend. In his 6th season with Ulm, Emeka has been a central figure in great games between the rival teams.
As with every excellent rivalry, there is no love lost on or off the floor. Click on the following two links for clips from the Tubingen fan block chanting against Ulm:
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIhJySvE-w
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=mLZqxFuaKqA
Certainly, both teams are ready. And so are the fans! Sportszentrum Kuhberg is sold out and a record-setting crowd is expected to jam into the old school style Ulm gym. The Baden Wurtemburg Derby Atmosphere between ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen is extra special because of the intensity from the fans!
ratiopharm Ulm's Dan Fitzgerald has been an outstanding role player for his team throughout his rookie season. Coming off the bench as a forward, Dan's three point threat and perimeter skills compliment Ulm's power game perfectly.
As with every great rivalry, games between ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen are more about emotion and intensity and less about records or statistics. All involved will give their all and games are a complete 40 minute basketball battle that often have a tendancy to go unsettled without overtime.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs has a history of excellent games against rival Tubingen.
Every Baden Wurtemburg Derby between ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen is special. But Saturday night's edition features the extra impact on playoff position and the race for Bundesliga playoff spots. A big ratiopharm Ulm win over Tubingen clinches Ulm's first playoff spot since returning to the Bundesliga in 2005-2006.
Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, ratiopharm Ulm hosts rival Walter Tigers Tubingen in the next Baden Wurtemburg Derby! Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: Ulm captain has been key player in recent Derby's!
Romeo Travis: excellent game on both ends of floor in Koln!
Jeff Gibbs: excells in Tubingen derby games!
Keith Triplett : defensive star focused to finish season strong
Lee Humphrey: currently 2nd in Bundesliga in 3pt makes!
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general thrives in Derby setting
Per Gunther: young PG enjoying outstanding rookie year
Dan Fitzgerald: key F sub spreads floor with perimeter skills!
Sean Finn: ready for matchup against Katic
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing was outstanding in last weeks games
Michael Schroeder: ready for matchup v Katic in Post
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Tubingen, Germany
Main Sponsor: Walter
Home Court: TüArena
website: www.walter-tigers.de
2007-2008: 10-24 15th place Bundesliga
Offense: Tubingen returns several key players from last seasons team including go-to post scorer Rasko Katic, skilled wing AJ Moye and scoring PG Jermaine Anderson. All three have potential for big production. Anderson excells in transition and is good in ballscreens. Katic has excellent post moves and Moye is a scoring threat in a variety of ways. New faces who will be key include versatile scoring forward Michael Haynes who is an excellent three point shooter. Athletic win Richard Chaney adds a perimeter scoring threat and three point shooter Daniel Fountain is an underrated weapon for the Tigers. Athletic Ken Williams adds size, skill and depth to the front court and former Oldenburg players Branislav Ratkovica and Mirko Anastasov will have important roles with the team. Hardworking team player Jay Thomas also has improved his game year by year.
Defense: Tubingen enjoys physical post players with good size and a solid defensive PG in Anderson. Athletic wings are a plus and defensive player Jay Thomas is a key to their team. More athletic than last seasons Tubingen team, this years Tiger squad plays a tough man to man defense and will mix in zones, presses and random traps into their game plan.
GM: Robert Wintermantel
Head Coach: Tolga Ongoran
Players:
Michael Haynes: versatile, athletic scoring F, excellent 3pt shooter
Richard Chaney: athletic wing has been a key for Tigers
AJ Moye: talented wing scored 31pt in last Tiger win over Ulm
Jermaine Anderson: scoring PG drives team with strong play
Branislav Ratkovica: hardworking backup G is steady and solid
Ken Williams: athletic lefty post man from Ole miss
Daniel Fountain: 3pt shooter adds perimeter threat
Rasko Katic: veteran big man/ starting 5 / key to post attack
Jay Thomas: excellent perimeter D/team player
Mirko Anastasov: talented young post man/ adds depth
