TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM'S NEXT CHALLENGE AT LOKHALLE!
ratiopharm Ulm @ Gottingen
Saturday March 6th, 2010 7:30pm
Lokhalle Gottingen, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm is focused for their next challenge as the team travels to Gottingen for a Saturday night tipoff at Lokhalle. The hottest team in the league, Gottingen has won seven straight Bundesliga games, rolled to the Top Four of the German Cup and advanced to the next round of the Euro Challenge this season. Ready for the intensity and energy of the Violets and their fans, ratiopharm Ulm looks to build on their recent road win in Dusseldorf and last weekends home win over Bremerhaven with a strong performance in Gottingen Saturday night.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice is focused for his return to Lokhalle against his former team Gottingen.
click here for regio-tv preview!
click here for Gottingen video from Ulm game last April
click here for Gottingen video from Ulm game Veilchen TV
Unbeaten at home this season, Gottingen is a perfect 10-0 at Lokhalle where the crowd is full of energy and loud fan support for the Violets.
Along with the perfect record on their home floor, Gottingen is on a seven game win streak in the Bundesliga. A unique venue for basketball, historic Lokhalle is a renovated locomotive factory turned Arena complete with cranes, rusted beams and fantastic character. Along with the fantastic character, Lokhalle is well-known for its passionate fans in a sea of purple supporting their Violets. One of the best home court advantages in the Bundesliga, Lokhalle is a great place for basketball.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins has played very well since moving to the power forward position.
One Ulmer who knows the Lokhalle well is talented guard Rocky Trice, who starred for the Violets last season before signing with ratiopharm Ulm last summer. Certainly, Saturday's road game in Gottingen will be a special game for Rocky as he plays in front of his former fans for the first time.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther had a solid 7 point 4 rebound 5 assist performance against Gottingen earlier this season.
Gottingen's 2009-2010 roster has several new faces playing important roles after losing key players from last years playoff team. Gone are key players Kyle Bailey, Rocky Trice, Charles Lee, Clif Brown, Jason Miller and Marco Grimaldi. Head coach John Patrick relies on returning players Ben Jacobsen (9.6ppg 3reb 3.2ast 31%threes), Chris Oliver (14.7ppg 6.4reb 29% threes) and Jason Boone (10.1ppg 6.2reb). An underrated guard, Ben Jacobsen is an intelligent floor general with excellent three point touch. The versatile and athletic Chris Oliver has expanded his game tremendously over the last seasons and brings excellent defensive intenisty along with his attacking offensive game. In the post, Jason Boone is a hardworking player who rebounds aggressively and has taken his game to a new level as evidenced by his improved free throw shooting this season. Also back from last seasons successful run are three point specialist Robert Kulawick (4.7ppg 1.4reb 30% threes) and veteran guard John Little. Key newcomers to the Violets include crafty lefty rookie pg Taylor Rochestie who has produced 14.5ppg 2.a7st 46% threes. After a terrific career at Washington State, Taylor played for the LA Lakers Summer league team in the NBA summer league at Las Vegas and has established himself well in the Bundesliga's early season action. At Bundesliga All Star Day in Bonn, Taylor took the Three Point Shootout championship as the Bundesliga's reigning three point king. Skilled German big man Christopher McNaughton has been solid in the post for the Violets producing 6.8ppg 2.8reb. Lightning quick pg Chester Frazier adds energy and versatility to the backcourt and versatile forward Dwayne Anderson has been impressive in the Violets first five games. Both have been important players in the Gottingen success this season with Frazier producing 5.7ppg 3.7reb 34% threes and Anderson contributing 11.5ppg 4.7reb 34% threes. Finally, mid-season, veteran post man Michael Meeks was added to the roster and the skilled big man has produced 3ppg 31% threes.
ratiopharm Ulm power forwrd Christian Burns scored a season high 26 points against Gottingen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg November 7th, 2009.
This season, Gottingen has compiled a 17-6 record entering Saturday nights game against ratiopharm Ulm. Along with the impressive 10-0 mark at home in Lokhalle, Gottingen has also earned a 7-6 road record good enough for sixth place in the current Bundesliga standings. Along with the terrific regular season schedule, Gottingen has also advanced to the Top Four of the German Cup which will be played in Frankfurt April 10th, 2010 where the Violets will meet brose Baskets Bamberg in the semifinals before the Skyliners host Bremerhaven. Internationally, Gottingen has enjoyed a successful run in the 2009-2010 EuroChallenge advancing out of Group A and rising to the top of Group I in the next round. Below are the Group standings for Gottingen as the Violets represent their city and the Bundesliga extremely well this year.
Gruppe A
1. BG GÖTTINGEN 10pts
2. KK BUDUCNOST M:TEL 10pts
3. BCM GRAVELINES DUNKERQUE 10pts
4. BC LOKOMOTIV KUBAN 6pts
Gruppe I (as of March 3rd, 2010)
1. BG GÖTTINGEN 9pts
2. KRASNYE KRYLIA 8pts
3. EIFFELTOWERS DEN BOSCH 7pts
4. PROTEAS EKA AEL 6pts
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland averages a team best 4 assists per game.
For both Ulm and Gottingen, two cities with excellent basketball tradition, the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season was very successful as both made the playoffs and lost in the first round. Over the past few seasons, both organizations have worked very hard to establish themselves in Germany's top league after success in the 2.Bundesliga level.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Kevin Martin plays a physical game in the paint and his efforts are much-appreciated.
Earlier this season,
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey hit a Bundesliga record 8 of 10 three pointers igniting his team to an exciting 101-88 home win over Gottingen Violets Saturday night November 7th, 2009 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Lee's fantastic 24 point shooting display was part of an Ulm offensive effort that hit 54% from the floor, 11 of 25 threes (44%), 22 of 25 free throws (88%) and dished out 17 assists. Along with Lee's hot hand, Ulm power forward Christian Burns hit 11 of 19 shots to topscore with a season best 26 points in the win.
Click here for Ulm v Gottingen November 7th, 2009 Game Summary!
Heading into this season Ulm and Gottingen split 4 games over the last two seasons with each team winning on the road in 2007-2008 before both teams protected their home floors with victories in 2008-2009. In their most recent meeting, ratiopharm Ulm limited MEG Gottingen to 37% floor shooting, outrebounded the Violets 49-34 and made 14 of their 18 free throw attempts Saturday night April 11th, 2009 at Lokhalle in Gottingen. But as much as their solid defense and strong rebounding helped, Ulm suffered a team-record 31 turnovers and made only 4 of 24 three point attempts (17%) in a 70-62 road loss to MEG Gottingen.
click here for April 11, 2009 Ulm @ Gottingen Game Summary!
In the first meeting last season, ratiopharm Ulm celebrated 'Saint Nikolaus Tag' with a terrific team effort in an exciting 76-69 holiday home win over a hot BG74 Gottingen Saturday night December 6th, 2008 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Lee Humphrey led a balanced Ulm attack with 13 points hitting 4 of 8 threes and Dru Joyce sank 8 of 10 free throws to finish with 12 in the win. As a team, a hot shooting ratiopharm Ulm hit 11 of 22 threes including several clutch baskets in the fourth quarter to wrap up the victory as Christmas Man (Santa Claus) enjoyed the action from the crowd.
Click here for December 6, 2008 Ulm v Gottingen Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm captian Lee Humphrey drilled 8 three pointers against Gottingen earlier this season and hit five threes last weekend against Bremerhaven.
In 2007-2008, Ulm and Gottingen split two games with each team picking up a road win in the opponents building. In the seasons first meeting on December 13th, 2007, ratiopharm Ulm used a strong second half surge to earn a 91-82 road win at Lokhalle. All Star forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 21 points 17 rebounds, Bryan Lucas added 15 points 4 rebounds and Konrad Wysocki went for 13 points 10 boards in leading Ulm's attack to the win. Gottingen's full court pressure helped them take the lead in the second quarter, but a strong late first half Ulm run pulled them even at 46 at the half. Ulm's 25-16 third quarter keyed the win.
Click for Ulm @ Gottingen December 13th, 2007 Game Summary
Click here for Photo Gallery of Ulm @ Gottingen
Later in the 2007-2008 season, Gottingen earned their road win in Ulm on Saturday March 1st, 2008. ratiopharm Ulm started fast with an 11-2 explosion sparked by 3 EJ Gallup three pointers in the opening minutes, but it was BG74 Gottingen who finished strong at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Ulm's attack sputtered to 9 for 38 second half shooting and the Violets hit big shots (4 of 7 from three in the fourth quarter) to earn a hardfought 89-79 win over ratiopharm Ulm who finished shooting a season low 35% from the floor spoiling an intense team defensive effort with their inaccuarcy.
Click for complete Ulm v Gottingen March 1, 2008 Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing injured his ankle in Saturday's home win over Bremerhaven and will be a game time decision this weekend in Gottingen.
ratiopharm Ulm enters Saturday's game managing some injury issues. Wing Sebastian Betz continues to work his way back from an Adductor problem and has not been active in practice for over two weeks. Rookie forward Robin Benzing is also hobbled after landing on a foot and rolling an ankle in last Saturday's home win over Bremerhaven at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Both Betz and Benzing will be game-time decisions. One player who is definitely out for ratiopharm Ulm is guard Christian Grosse. Hustling for a loose ball in Wednesday nights practice, Christian was poked in the eye by a teammate and immediately went to the emergency room for a check-up. After taking three stitches and suffering a scratched cornia, Christian will be out two weeks and will miss this weekend's road game in Gottingen.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Christian Grosse will be sidelined 2 weeks after being poked in the eye during practice. The cut required three stitches and scratched Christians cornea.
ratiopharm Ulm's road trip to Gottingen is the next challenge on the schedule. Preparing for the intensity and energy of the Lokhalle and the uptempo pressure oriented style of the Violets, Ulm looks to build on their recent road win in Dusseldorf and last weekends home win over Bremerhaven with a strong performance in Gottingen 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
Lee Humphrey: sank 8 threes v Gottingen and 5 threes last Saturday!
Rocky Trice: impact player for Ulm focused to face former team
Coleman Collins: ready for Gottingen front line and aggressive D
Christian Burns: leads Ulm in scoring and rebounding
Robin Benzing: talented rookie F game time decision with foot injury
Per Gunther: young pg played excellent floor game vs Bremerhaven
Austen Rowland: avg team best 4ast per game in 20min of action
Sebastian Betz: working his way back from injury/ game time decision
John Bryant: hardworking post sub ready to boost Ulm's effort
Christian Grosse: injured cornea after poked in eye during practice
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer, Tunde Adekola
Location: Goettingen, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Lokhalle
website: www.bg74.de
2007-2008: 13-21 13th place Bundesliga
2008-2009: 25-9 2nd place Playoffs lost to Bamberg 1st round
Offense Gottingen features several ballskilled players with the ability to attack the basket and break down the defense with the drive. Attacking in transition and pushing the basketball at an uptempo pace, the Violets like to use smaller and athletic lineups to create mis-matches and emphasize one on one driving opportunities for each position. With the return of Ben Jacobsen, Gottingen has an intelligent point guard who likes ballscreens. One interesting part of the attacking Gottingen offense is the teams excellent work on the offensive boards.
Defense: Basing their game plan on ballpressure and teamwork, Gottingen excels at their fullcourt pressing and trapping defense. The Violets have outstanding athleticism and play passing lanes extremely well. Gottingen will randomly run and jump, trap out of control ballhandlers against pressure and double team the post. The teams excellent individual defenders and athletic wings give opponents problems. One benefit from their defense is the easy baskets it produces for their offense. Gottingen's aggressive team defense is a key to their early season success.
GM: Marc Franz
Head Coach: John Patrick
Players:
Chris Oliver: athletic forward gives Gottingen talent in frontcourt
Ben Jacobsen: smart/skilled combo guard/enjoying strong season
Taylor Rochestie: rookie PG from Washington State playing well
Chris McNaughton: skilled German post man crafty scoring inside
Chester Frazier: lightning quick guard from U of Illinois
Dwayne Anderson: versatile forward brings energy to team
Jason Boone: physical post man is much improved and hardworking
Robert Kulawick: 3pt shooting threat for Violets
John Little: veteran guard returns to provide depth
Michael Meeks: veteran post adds depth and experience
