TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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SOMETHING SPECIAL!
RATIOPHARM ULM VISITS RIVAL TUBINGEN!
ratiopharm Ulm @ WALTER Tigers Tubingen
Saturday November 29th, 2008 8pm
Tubingen Arena Tubingen, Germany
Every game against a rival is something special. No matter the league, the records or the roster changes, rivalries bring out the best from one another. Saturday night, ratiopharm Ulm travels to Tubingen Arena for the next exciting chapter in the traditional rivalry between the two teams. Sharing the same German State of Baden-Wurtemburg and seperated by less than one hours drive, the rivalry between Ulm and Tubingen has developed over decades and now stands as one of the best rivalries in the Bundesliga. As with every 'Derby', Saturday nights game is a big game for both teams and is a special game anticipated by fans from both sides. Every game against a rival is something special. That means something special every time Ulm and Tubingen meet!
Ulm All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs rises above Tubingen defenders in last seasons road win at Tubingen Arena.
Saturday night Tubingen Arena hosts the next edition of the classic rivalry between Ulm and Tubingen. Fans from both teams will pack the pink bleachers of Tubingen Arena filling it with energy and enthusiasm. 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!
Ulm forward Romeo Travis finishes a fast break last season at Tubingen Arena.
Walter Tigers Tubingen are enjoying a solid season through 11 games. Tubingen tipped off the new season with a 72-66 home loss to Paderborn September 20th at Tubingen Arena. The Tigers picked up their first win of the campaign the next week with an 84-77 road win over Artland Dragons Thursday September 26th at Artland Arena. October opened with an exciting 76-73 overtime loss in Nordlingen on the 4th, but Tubingen bounced back with an 78-67 home win over Giessen 46ers October 11th. Tubingen beat Trier 102-100 in overtime October 18th and the Tigers stood at 3-2. But Tubingen dropped their next two games losing at home to Telekom Baskets Bonn 75-74 on a Brandon Bowman buzzer-beater October 24th. Tubingen then fell 61-55 to brose Baskets Bamberg October 28th at JAKO Arena in Bamberg. On November 1st, Tubingen edged Koln 99ers 71-65 but the Tigers lost the next game in Braunschweig 73-56 November 8th. The next game saw Tubingen beat Eisbaren Bremerhaven 68-51 Sunday November 16th before falling 75-71 Saturday November 22nd at Burg-Wachter-Costello in Dusseldorf. Although the Tigers are currently 5-6 entering Saturday nights derby, records or place in the standings do not mean much between rivals.
Ulm's floor general Dru Joyce is focused for Saturday's rivalry!
Last year, Walter Tigers Tubingen started with a burst but went through many changes as the season went on. Head Coach Tolga Ongoran took over the team just after mid-season and helped keep the Tigers safe in the Bundesliga and avoid relegation. After using the summer productively, Ongoran was able to build the team with his own players as the Tigers revamped their roster. Several familiar faces remain. All Star center Rasko Katic is the focal point of the Tubingen team and is consistent with his production. This season the big man averages 14.5ppg 7.4reb in the post. ratiopharm Ulm knows Katic well after facing him for the last several seasons. Another former Tubingen All Star AJ Moye has adjusted to another role within the Tiger team but still produces 6.8ppg 4.6reb. Ulm fans will remember when Moye exploded for 31 points in the Tubingen win in Ulm May 12th, 2007. Hardworking team player Jay Thomas has developed his game year by year and remains one of the top Tubingen perimeter defenders. This season, Thomas has started a few games recently at the two spot. Finally, Canadian National team point guard Jermaine Anderson has been a key to the Tubingen attack since joining the Tigers last season. Anderson is a talented guard who loves to score in transition and excells in ballscreens. Anderson has averaged 13.7ppg 3.4reb and 4.1ast while leading the team. New faces that strengthen the Tubingen team include versatile talented forward Michael Haynes (11.7ppg 5.4reb 35% threes), athletic small forward Richard Chaney (10.9ppg 6.8reb 30% threes), shooting guard Daniel Fountain (5.3ppg 34%threes), strong post man Ken Williams (2.9ppg 3.2reb) and crafty veteran point man Branislav Ratkovica (8.1ppg 3.6ast 38% three). The additions of Haynes and Chaney have been excellent for the Tigers and Fountain brings a terrific three point shooting presence to the team. Former Ole Miss post man Williams adds athleticism and size to the front court and Ratkovica along with young post man Mirko Anastasov move south to Tubingen from Oldenburg. Overall, Head Coach Tolga Ongoran has a talented team which gives him otions. Possibly most important, Ongoran now has players on the Tubingen team to work with that fit into his system. After struggling through last season but staying in the Bundesliga, Tubingen's 2008-2009 team
ratiopharm Ulm's Keith Triplett loves the intensity of big games!
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!
Earlier in the season, ratiopharm Ulm edged Walter Tigers Tubingen 84-78 January 5th, 2008 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Tied 42-42 at half, 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
Ulm center Sean Finn is enjoying a tremendous season and Saturday's post matchup against Rasko Katic will be excellent for fans to watch.
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.
ratioharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther gets his first taste of the tremendous Ulm vs Tubingen Badem-Wurtenburg Derby!
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.
ratiopharm Ulm brings a two game Bundesliga win streak to Tubingen after a home win over Koln November 15th combined with last Sunday's road win in Bremerhaven. At 7-4, for one of the few times all season, Ulm fields a complete team as center Michael Schroeder returned to practice after a leg injury forced him to miss the last several games. With Rasko Katic playing the post, Schroeder's defensive presence will be a welcomed addition to the Ulm front court. For both Ulm and Tubingen, games against the rival opponent are something special so everyone involved will do their best to be ready at tip off!
Ulm's sharpshooting forward Dan Fitzgerald has enjoyed an outstanding rookie season and is excited about his first game against rival Tubingen.
After last weeks five day road trip near the North Sea, ratiopharm Ulm enjoyed their next terrific team time together with a fantastic Thanksgiving Dinner provided by Jeff and April Gibbs Thursday evening in Ulm. With families and friends together, the team celebrated the American holiday with a few German players experiencing Thanksgiving for the first time. The fun team evening made everyone feel like Thanksgiving back home and the team was very thankful to Jeff and April for their efforts. After the successful road trip last weekend, the Thanksgiving Holiday was a terrific next experience together.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey currently ranks third in three point field goals made according to official Bundesliga statistics.
Every game against a rival is something special. For ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen, something special is this Saturday night.
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: career high 25pt in Sundays win over Bremerhaven
Jeff Gibbs: excells in Tubingen derby games; leads Bundesliga in Reb.
Keith Triplett : defensive star excited for first game v Tubingen
Lee Humphrey: currently 3rd in Bundesliga in 3pt makes!
Dru Joyce: Ulm floor general thrives in Derby setting
Per Gunther: rookie star excited for first game v Tubingen
Dan Fitzgerald: enjoying tremendous rookie season with Ulm!
Sean Finn: currently shooting 69% from the floor, 2nd in Bundesliga
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing enjoyed strong road trip last week
Michael Schroeder: returns to lineup/ great 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
