TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM Sets Sights on Weiden Saturday!
ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Satuday night as COOCOON Baskets Weiden visit Sportszentrum Kuhberg for a 7pm 2.Bundesliga South tipoff. Using last weeks wins over BBC Bayreuth in the German Cup and on the road in Crailsheim as momentum, Ulm has their sights set on a win Saturday night against Weiden. Although they are new to the 2.Bundesliga South after winning the 3rd division Regionaliga South East last season, COOCOON Baskets Weiden have already impressed opponents registering two upset wins beating previously unbeaten teams TV Lich and USC Heidelberg earlier this year. Certainly not a team to be taken lightly, ratiopharm Ulm clearly respects COOCOON especially after the league's other "Aufsteiger" MTV Stuttgart's performance in Sportszentrum Kuhberg two weeks ago.
SUB-WAY! Jan Sprunken (9), Christian Grosse (7) and Florian Mobius (14) have been outstanding off the bench for Ulm this season. The trio's production has been tremendous and has been a major factor in Ulm's strong start.
Saturday October 29th, 2005
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5-0 ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg as they host COOCOON Baskets Weiden for a 7pm 2.Bundesliga South tip. Another league newcomer, Weiden won the German Regionaliga South East last season earning their ticket up into the 2nd Division. Like the other "Aufstieger" MTV Stuttgart, COOCOON Baskets Weiden have built an extremely competitive team with a nice blend of talent and experience. Experienced Head Coach Keith Grey, one of the best players in Bundesliga basketball history, was hired as head coach of Weiden over the summer and he immediately began to assemble talent. Boasting one of the best American wing combinations in the 2.Bundesliga South, Weiden signed superscoring guard John Bynum two weeks ago pairing him with athletic American wing Justin Hall. Bynum, who averaged a league best 26ppg last season while playing with Grebenovich Elephants in the 2.Bundesliga North, brings explosive scoring ability and proven point production. In two games since signing in Weiden, Bynum has averaged 13.8ppg, a number sure to improve as the season goes on. Meanwhile, Hall --- a strong wing who excells using the dribble, on the boards and in transition --- leads the team in scoring at 16.8ppg with 6.8 rebounds. Along with the American key signings, underrated big man Damian Matacz has been impressive in the early season. The skilled 6'9 lefty post man seals well and uses his body effectively in the paint. A complete player, Matacz has a variety of post moves ranging from pivots, quick spins and step thrus that he can turn to in order to get buckets. Not only an inside scorer, Matacz has a nice midrange touch and plays an intelligent game. After 5 games, Damian averages 12.6ppg and 6.2reb for Weiden. Next to Damian, Coach Grey added 38yr old veteran Darrell Mickens, a physical forward last seen in the 2.Bundesliga South while playing for Crailsheim in the 2002-2003 season. In better shape and quicker than his Crailsheim days, Mickens is a versatile 4/3 man who scores 8.4ppg 4.2reb. Another key player COOCOON Baskets Weiden brought in over the summer, 2.Bundesliga South veteran Robert Dill brings tremendous three point shooting ability after signing from TV Langen where he played last year. Dill, who played collegiately at Lafayette University, has hit 43% of his 3pt shots while averaging 9.8ppg and 5.2reb for Weiden. Keeping everything flowing smoothly, Weiden point guard Marco Grimaldi plays at a fast tempo, pushes the baketball and loves to penetrate to make plays. Averaging 11.2ppg and 4.2ast, Grimaldi battled through preseason injuries and is just now starting to find his rhythm 5 games into the season. Hardworking Marco Meier, an aggressive defender and slashing driver, rounds out the roster and provides depth. Claus Weiss and Danijel Lukac also give the team dependable depth on the roster.
As a team, Weiden has already beaten two of the top teams in the league 87-82 over TV Lich and 83-72 over USC Heidelberg last week. Both big wins were in Weiden.
Power Forward! Jeff Gibbs went for 28pts 21reb @ Crailsheim
Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm remains atop the league at a perfect 5-0 holding technical first place over unbeaten opponents Chemnitz and Kaiserslautern due to point differential. Power forward Jeff Gibbs also remains atop the league efficiency ratings with a remarkable 33. The undersized 4 man powered through the Crailsheim Merlins for 28pts 22reb helping his team to a 106-74 win in Crailsheim last Saturday night. Also in top form, Ulm captain Emeka Erege added 20 points on 10-13 floor shooting including a dominant stretch where he took over the third quarter of play scoring 12 pts to break the game open. Shooting guard Jonathan Levy also sparked his team with outstanding play on his way to a solid 26ppg. Finally, Ulm Center Maksym Shtein continues his high level play and looks for more this weekend.
Examining the matchup between the two teams, Weiden will likely rely on scoring from Bynum and Hall from the perimeter while they turn to Matacz and Mickens for production in the post. Grimaldi is strong in transition and Dill must be located as a shooter. 0-3 on the road this season, Weiden has a tough task Saturday night as they enter Sportszentrum Kuhberg, a place where Ulm has won their last 18 straight 2.Bundesliga South home games and posted a 30-2 mark over the last two seasons.
Ulm players and Fans celebrate the win in Crailsheim!
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
SCOUTING REPORTS
Emeka Erege: Ulm Captain took over 3rd Quarter in Crailsheim
Jonathan Levy: 26pts in Crailsheim/ excellent on both O and D
Jeff Gibbs: 28pt 21reb in Crailsheim/amazing 33 efficiency rating
Maksym Shtein: 17pt 6reb vs Crailsheim/nice matchup with Matacz
Martin Theusen: playmaker setting table for team/teammates
Christian Grosse: key combo G sub continues to improve +produce
Florian Mobius: Ulm post sub playing excellent team basketball
Jan Sprunken: excellent wing sub/smart player/3pt bomber
Antonis Sivorotka: talented prospect also developing
Benni Gulde: young guard developing daily with hardwork
John Bynum 6'4 great scorer/3 range/ good off dribble
Justin Hall 6'4 athletic wing/1 on 1 scorer/good in transition
Damian Matacz 6'9 seals well/lefty/skilled scorer/smart player
Darrell Mickens 6'5 athletic/physical 4/aggressive on D/ veteran
Robert Dill 6'8 3pt shooting big man/ active on boards/runs floor
Marco Grimaldi 6'2 quick/skilled point/penetrator
Marco Meier 6'5 athletic aggressive/ driver/ cutter/ worker on D
Claus Weiss
Daijel Lukac will shoot 3's
