TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
ULM REGROUPS AGAINST KRONBERG
Following last weekends loss in Kaiserslautern, ratiopharm Ulm looks to regroup against MTV Kronberg Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
October 23rd, the first meeting between Ulm and Kronberg, saw Ulm head coach Mike Taylor dress up as a doctor in an attempt to cure the chemistry ills of the team. Ulm players responded by setting a team record for largest victory margin on the road by beating MTV Kronberg by 60, 119-59. Ulm's team pressed and trapped forcing turnovers that led to easy baskets and the easy win. Despite that invincible evening, Ulm has since struggled on the road posting a 5-4 record. Conversly, Ulm remains unbeaten at home at 9-0. After recent adversity, the friendly confines of Sportzentrum Kuhberg could be just what the doctor ordered.
SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY
Kronberg, a farm team for Bundesliga and Euroleague team Opel Skyliners, feature a lineup of top young talents from all over Europe. 19year old German forward Alex King has been a rising star in the Frankfurt Skyliner organization. Playing with a double lisence for both Kronberg and the Skyliners, King has made tremendous strides this season with his game. In fact, in last weekends blowout win over Cologne, King scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for Frankfurt. For Kronberg, King starts at the small forward spot and has slashed his way to a solid 11.7ppg with 4 boards a game. His versatility on both ends of the floor make him one of the top basketball prospects in Germany.
Teaming with King, 17 year old Turkish point guard Berent Kavaklioglu has demonstrated skills beyond his years. Kavaklioglu is skilled and creative with the ball and works tirelessly pressuring all over the floor on D. Gaining great experience in Kronberg, Kavaklioglu has shown maturity in running the team as well as a soft outside shooting touch.
Every young team needs veteran leadership and Kamil Novak provides a consistent scoring option in the post at a team best 13.4ppg and 5.3rpg. Marcel Wright adds an athletic element at the four spot. Rainer Szewczyk is the designated perimeter shooter in Kronberg's lineup --- the two guard has hit 40 of 120 threes with a mere 9 of 23 inside the arc. Off the bench, Andre Young has a scorers mentality aggressively attacking the basket when on the floor and Frederick Kleemichen, another young talent, provides size and skill in the frontcourt.
KENNY PRICE
During the week, Ulm made progress toward signing point guard Shaheen Holloway but the contract remains in negotiations entering the weekend. While the contract talks moved positively, Holloway missed three practices with a leg injury that could keep him out of action against Kronberg.
Against Kronberg, Ulm will rely on players stepping up their game and responding to the challenges presented by absent teammates.
In response to the recent injuries to post players Michael Niebling and Antoine Sinclair, Ulm signed Icelandic power forward Fannar Olafsson to a two week contract. Niebling is expected to return within one month while Sinclair will miss the remainder of the season. Working hard since joining the team, Olafsson can make a difference doing the dirty work.
Looking to get back on the winning track, Ulm must bring a better defensive effort to the floor Saturday night and focus on the present Kronberg challenge rather than the past.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com !
GO ULM!
MIKE T
6 SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY hobbled by leg injury/missed practice time
8 KENNY PRICE working back from ankle injury/ close to 100%
10 EMEKA EREGE Ulm's best player last weekend with 21pt 10reb
14 FLORIAN MOBIUS working hard to gain consistency
15 MAKSYM SHTEIN focused to bounce back with solid game inside
4 MICHAEL BREE Ulm playmaker looks to compliment Holloway
11 PETER HEIZER defensive stopper from bench
7 CHRISTIAN GROSSE great strides this season/ pushing for more
13 TOBI WAITZINGER hardworker helping team daily
18 BENNI GULDE youth prospect
9 ANTOINE SINCLAIR will miss season with knee injury
12 MICHAEL NIEBLING out with severe ankle sprain/return TBA
9 ALEX KING 19yr old talent/plays for Opel Skyliners/11.7ppg/slasher
14 KAMIL NOVAK best inside scorer/ 13.4ppg 5.3rpg/ array of hooks
7 BERENT KAVAKLIOGLU 17yr old Turkish point playing well
5 MARCEL WRIGHT ahtletic rebounder/ runs the floor/6.5ppg 4.2rpg
8 RAINER SZEWCZYK 3pt threat/ 40-120 from three 9-23 from two on year
4 FREDERICK KLEEMICHEN young post prospect/ lanky/3pt range
9 ANDRE YOUNG looks to score off bench/ driver/ worker on D
6 FLORIAN HENNEN skilled 4man/ aggressive/ works on both ends
11 SEBASTIAN KOHNERT young point guard off bench
