Ulm Smashes Weiden!
ratiopharm Ulm put 8 players in double figures, shot 64% from the floor including 55% from three point range, sank 22 of 23 free throws for 96% from the foul line, outrebounded their opponent 43-21 and set a team record for highest point total in their 130-87 road win over COOCOON Baskets Weiden Wednesday night in 2.Bundesliga South action at Mehrzweckhalle in Weiden. Improving to 21-0, Ulm overcame a sloppy start to earn a commanding 62-35 halftime lead before falling just short of a 2.Bundesliga South team scoring record held by Ludwigsburg (133-76 over SV Oberelchingen). Konrad Wysocki went to work for a team best 19 points 5 rebounds off the bench and Jonathan Levy added 18 points to the win. Jeff Gibbs recorded an impressive 16 point 15 rebound double double and Florian Mobius (15 points 3-3 from three), Emeka Erege (14 points 6 boards), Martin Thuesen (13 points 4 assists 3-4 from three), Maksym Shtein (11 points 4 rebounds) and Jan Sprunken (11 points 3-6 from three) rounded out Ulm's double digit scorers. Rewarding the team with a long four day free weekend, ratiopharm Ulm will enjoy their record-setting team performance with a short break before beginning preparations for Breitengussbach's visit to Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night March 4th.
Ulm set a team best scoring mark Wednesday night in Weiden.
Wednesday Febuary 22, 2006 7:30pm
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Unbeaten ratiopharm Ulm improved to 21-0 with a record setting 130-87 team win Wednesday night over COOCOON Baskets Weiden. 8 Ulm players reached double figures and the team shot a sizzling 64% from the floor, 55% from three point range and 96% from the foul line in the process of setting a team best scoring mark of 130 points. Along with the impressive point production, Ulm increased their consecutive quarter winning streak to 19 straight quarters. A true team victory, Ulm players put on an offensive clinic and conducted a shooting exhibition against the shorthanded COOCOON Baskets Weiden squad.
A beautiful 4 hour bus trip northeast from southcentral Ulm to the small town of Weiden nearby the Czech Republic boarder, ratiopharm Ulm embarked on their mission with extreme focus on the task at hand. Despite being decided favorites, Ulm understood the importance of the two points at stake in their chase of the 2.Bundesliga South championship. Although the Weiden organization had been through ups and downs throughout the season --- suffering through financial struggles, playing through a roster make-over and charting a new course after a midseason coaching change --- the Weiden team clearly would give great effort on the floor and would feature two Americans on court for the first time in several weeks. Strengthened with the American combination of Ben Adams and Ronald Rhea, the additional firepower still was not enough to overcome the loss of forwards Marco Meier and Marco Schobert from the lineup. On top of the teams problems, Weiden was mired in a seven game losing streak entering tip off.
For Ulm, readiness was the key.
As early action indicated, ratiopharm Ulm was ready. Jeff Gibbs powered through an early dropstep move in the post to open Ulm scoring. Scrambling and trapping from the start, Ulm defended the entire floor running, rotating and changing defenses. Confused and shorthanded, Weiden struggled to find a rhythm and started slowly. Turning the ball over and being forced into late clock situations against the Ulm zone defense, Weiden offense struggled to find ways to score. Although the Ulm team forced turnovers, they returned the favor by immediately turning the ball back over to Weiden off overthrown ball ahead passes. After a third careless pass, Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor quickly called timeout to discuss the value of the basketball. While Gibbs was all over the place early scoring inside and rebounding on both ends, Ulm's biggest first half boost came from the bench. Forward Konrad Wysocki entered the game and energy surged through the Ulm team. Wysocki worked baseline for a slicing basket, crashed the offensive boards for strong put backs, sank a top of the key three point shot and wreaked havoc on Weiden with athletically aggressive defense. After a slightly sloppy start with turnovers in transition, Ulm upgraded their attack and finished quarter one with a firm 27-14 lead.
Jan Sprunken for 3!
If quarter one cracked the dam, quarter two burst it open. Ulm offense flooded the floor with fast break baskets, beautiful passing and terrific teamwork. Emeka Erege helped turn defense into offense with gazelle-like speed running the wing. The Ulm captain ran out for a breakaway dunk before sending several teammates to easy scores with clever ball ahead passes. Jonathan Levy scored off drives and Maksym Shtein was effective on the block scoring baskets and drawing fouls. Ulm overwhelmed Weiden 35-21 in the second quarter changing defenses effectively and creating turnovers. The 9 player rotation was extremely productive with all 9 cracking the scoring column in the first twenty minutes. Wysocki continued to workout finishing the first half with a team best 13 points while teammate Jeff Gibbs produced an amazing 11 point 10 rebound first half double double. Entering the game, looking at Weiden's lineup, Ulm felt their opponent lacked a power forward to matchup with Gibbs or any Ulm 4 man. In fact, at tip off, 7 foot Amir Ali was Weiden's only big man forcing them into a small lineup with a perimeter oriented four. A key to the game would be, which team would gain control of the 4 spot matchup? Would Ulm pound the ball in the paint and dominate the boards or would Weiden's quickness, athleticism and perimeter skill get Ulm in foul trouble and open up the game? After one half, it was clear: Ulm held complete command at the power forward position and Gibbs and Wysocki influenced the game.
Ulm shot 63% in the first half (24-38) mostly a result of their transition layups and inside-out attack. Unfortunately, Ulm hit only 2 of 7 threes (29%) in the first twenty minutes. Positively, the team drilled a perfect 12 for 12 from the foul line and outrebounded Weiden 22-10.
Ulm forward Florian Mobius continued his excellent play drilling 6 of 7 shots, 3 of 3 threes for 15 points in the win.
While Ulm ran to their commanding 62-35 halftime lead, the team did not shoot the ball from the particularly well --- but as Weiden soon found out, "when it rains, it poors". A second half offensive onslaught accounted for 35 points in the third quarter and 33 points in the fourth. Although Ulm hit only 2 of 7 threes in the first half (Thuesen and Wysocki), quarters three and four they caught fire sinking an amazing 10 of 15 trifecta's raining down J's on Weiden. The second half three point shooting contest was won by Ulm forward Florian Mobius who sank a perfect 3 for 3 from three. Jan Sprunken drilled 3 of 6 second half triple attempts and Martin Thuesen converted 2 of 3 second half threes earning him 3 of 4 for the game. Jonathan Levy and Christian Grosse buried the remaining threes. 67% from behind the arc is one thing, but burying 10 triples producing 30 points is another. For the game, Ulm finished 12 of 22 from the three point line. Along with hot shooting from three point range, Ulm continued to convert their free throws nailing a total 22 of 23 for a season best 96% from the stripe.
Offensive output with such high percentages is a result of excellent concentration and execution. Although Ulm started with sloppy turnovers in transition, the team quickly adjusted to disciplined passing and playmaking moving the ball with outstanding teamwork the often found the open man for an open shot. 8 players reaching double figures in scoring without one over 19 points communicates Ulm's unselfish attack. The third and fourth quarters were simply team players making team plays. Ulm's attack was not perfect. Unfortunately, Captain Emeka Erege needs work on his alley oop lob passing --- even near perfect players like Erege have a minute flaw.
Of course Weiden mixed in a few highlights too. American guard Ben Adams and wing Ronald Rhea enjoyed solid games for their team. Adams was excellent in transition and dribble penetrated well on his way to a game high 26 points. The highlight of his night was a transition tip dunk in which that athletic 6'2 guard hammered home a two hand follow posterizing Ulm wing Jan Sprunken. Meanwhile, Rhea scored a solid 25 points quietly going about his business hitting J's, finishing drives and scoring off rebounds. Guard Mike Baron (17) and forward Markus Peters (12) also gave good efforts for Weiden.
Jonathan Levy finished with 18 points in Weiden
After collecting win #21, Ulm will enjoy a short break in their schedule as the team takes Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. Several players will use the time to travel and experience Europe. Others will simply relax at home. The team returns to the practice floor Monday Febuary 27th to begin preparations for the next opponent Breitengussbach Saturday March 4th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
