TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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THUNDERBOLTS IN ULM --- INJURIES STRIKE
Sometimes in a season, a "Thunderbolt" strikes a team. This week, ratiopharm Ulm felt the burning of adversity..... twice in one practice. For Ulm, Wednesday night was a Thunderstorm.
Practice was regular and routine --- until Ulm cener Big Mike Niebling went down in a defensive drill with a high ankle sprain midway through practice. As if that was not enough, power forward Antoine Sinclair soon followed with a serious knee injury. After evaluation from Ulm's excellent medical staff, Niebling is out 4-6 weeks while Sinclair is done for the season. Losing both big men definitely hurts Ulm depth in the front court and limits the versatility in lineups. The injuries come at a time when Ulm finally looked forward to a roster at full strength after playing the last 4 games without injured Kenny Price. Facing a Kaiserslauthern team that has won 7 of their last 8 games without Niebling or Sinclair means Ulm must circle the wagons and draw upon each other for strength. Sunday afternoon, shorthanded Ulm travels to Kaiserslautern for a 6pm tip.
ANTOINE SINCLAIR
Stephan Seile's Red Devils are a much improved basketball team capable of beating any team in the league. American guards Austen Rowland and Tim Johnson have ignited Kaiserslautern's exciting attack this season. Rowland, a point guard with excellent ballskills and shooting touch, averages 20.9ppg 4.6rpg and 4.9apg and shoots 33% from three point range. The rookie from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Rowland was sharp in the first meeting against Ulm recording 7 steals. His partner, Tim Johnson, is an attacking driver looking to score from penetration, post ups and three pointers. A high energy player, Johnson averages a team best 21.8ppg with a solid 4.7rpg. Complimenting the American tandem, Florian Moysich stands as an excellent three point shooter hitting 40% from behind the arc.
The American backcourt balances nicely with a solid frontcourt for Kaiserslautern. Center Stuart Robbins, who established himself last season as a physical force in the paint, has averaged 9.4ppg and 5.3rpg. Robbins enters the game hot following a fantastic 25 point performance in last weeks win over Kronberg. Steady Michael Skender --- also in the zone after a team best 28pt night against Kronberg --- defends, rebounds and hits J's from the three spot. Newly signed David Agrbabu has emerged as a power forward presence to compliment Robbins after posting 15 points and 7 rebounds in his Red Devil debut. Perimeter skilled big man Mirko Damjanovic has also been a factor for Kaiserslautern scoring 8.2ppg 4.9rpg with solid three point shooting.
Despite losing Sinclair and Niebling to injury, Ulm does have reason to be excited. Shooting guard Kenny Price is expected to play after rehabbing his severely sprained ankle for the past 4 weeks. Injured in the January 9th Ulm win over Langen, Price has been sidelined for 4 games but returned to live practice this week. Currently leading Ulm in scoring at 17.5ppg and hitting an impressive 49% from three, Price will be welcomed back because of his clutch shooting.
Shaheen Holloway, in the final week of his month-long contract in Ulm, has been negotiating a possible extension while receiving feelers of interest from Bundesliga clubs. Potentially a key for Ulm's future, Holloway looks to lead Ulm into the game at Kaiserslautern.
SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY HAPPY AFTER A WIN!
Forwards Florian Mobius and Emeka Erege will be the focul point of Ulm's efforts to fill the void of the absent big men. With only center Maksym Shtein and 4 man Mobius remaining as active natural big men, expect Emeka Erege to slide over to the 4 in small lineups.
Examinations revealed a torn ACL and injured MCL in Antoine Sinclair's right knee. Expected to stay in Ulm for recovery, the forward from Virginia will rehab his MCL until it is strong enough for the ACL surgery potentially in a month or more. The injury comes at an especially hard time for Antoine who was just getting his game back after working hard to overcome a back injury that kept him out of action over the last two seasons. Sinclair recently made major strides forward with his play and conditioning levels earning more playing time with the team. Meanwhile, Niebling hopes to rehab his ankle aggressively reducing his absence.
BIG MIKE NIEBLING (12) IS OUT OF ACTION 4-6 WEEKS
Ulm must be ready to play against an underrated Kaiserslautern defensive team ranking second in the league in steals and blocked shots.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com !
GO ULM!
MIKE T
6 SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY playmaker in final week of month contract
8 KENNY PRICE expected to return to action Sunday
10 EMEKA EREGE hardworking small forward is key for Ulm
14 FLORIAN MOBIUS excellent effort on both ends vs Lich
15 MAKSYM SHTEIN good matchup w/Stuart Robbins
4 MICHAEL BREE playing backup role behing Holloway
11 PETER HEIZER defensive stopper key vs Kaiserslautern guards
7 CHRISTIAN GROSSE Player of Game with 18pts v Lich
13 TOBI WAITZINGER hardworker helping team daily
18 BENNI GULDE youth prospect
9 ANTOINE SINCLAIR season ending knee injury in practice
12 MICHAEL NIEBLING out 4-6 weeks with severe ankle sprain
4 AUSTEN ROWLAND playmaker/ skilled 1/ excellent in transition
11 TIM JOHNSON attacking wing/ scores in many ways
10 MICHAEL SKENDER intelligent 3/good D/moves well without ball
13 DAVID AGRIBABU newly signed 4man/ adds quality
15 STUART ROBBINS physical post/ good rebounder + shot blocker
4 FLORIAN MOYSICH excellent 3pt shooter from point position
12 MIRKO DAMJANOVIC sweet shooting 4man with size
14 CHRISTOPH SCHROPP back up post
6 SIMON GERVE reserve perimeter player
