TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS
ULM HOSTS MBC SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs MiddleDeutscher Basketball Club
Saturday March 12th, 2011 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
After a midweek road trip to Berlin, ratiopharm Ulm returns home to host MBC Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. In what will be a fantastic basketball day, Sportszentrum Kuhberg plays host to a double header as ratiopharm Ulm plays MBC at 7pm after Ulm's farm team BG Illertal-Weissenhorn meets Vechta in a playoff game tipping off at three.
ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant and teammates return home to host MBC Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
A big basketball day in Ulm, ratiopharm Ulm tips off against MBC at 7pm as the second game of a double header at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Earlier in the afternoon, Ulm's Pro B farm team BG Illertal Weissenhorn hosts Vechta in a playoff game tipping off at 3 o'clock. Basketball fans will certainly have alot to take in with the twin bill and fans from all levels will enjoy a special doubleheader day at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm Head coach Mike Taylor and BG Illertal Head coach Uwe Sauer at a Thursday Press conference in Ulm.
Before winning their way back into the Bundesliga, MBC was consistently among the best teams in the Pro A German second division. Putting it all together in the 2008-2009 season, the Wolves enjoyed a successful year as an 'Aufsteiger' in the Bundesliga. Head Coach Bjorn Harmsen has led two teams to promotion into the Bundesliga (Jena and MBC) and is focused to build on last years success.
This season, MBC made several roster moves and their lineup is significantly different from the team that Ulm faced back in November. Point guard Michael Jordan has moved on to Giessen, forwards Davon Roberts and Jerome Tillman were released and center Vassil Evtimov who had 17 points 12 rebounds against Ulm is no longer with the team. Along with the player changes, Head coach Bjorn Harmsen remains at home recovering from Pancreitis. Assistant coach Anton Mirolybov has filled in for the ailing Harmsen. New to the roster to add firepower is excellent point guard Ronald Ross who has produced 15.7ppg 4.6reb 1.7ast with 39% three point shooting since joining the Wolves. Richard Shields adds a talented scoring option on the wing as he has averaged 9.8ppg 2.6reb and skilled four man Rastko Dramicanin adds 8.8ppg 4.2reb and 34% from three. Hardworking post man Johnnie Gilbert also is back with MBC after missing the early season and has contributed tremendous energy along with 5.8ppg 4.1reb. Players on the roster who were on the team in the first matchup back in November include skilled two man Wayne Bernard (10.8ppg 32%threes), Radenko Pilcevic (7.1ppg 30%threes), energizing forward Sascha Leutloff (4.8ppg 3.4reb), veteran post man Guido Grunheid (7.4ppg 4.7reb) and big man Velimir Radinovic (6.4ppg 3.4reb).
ratiopharm Ulm forward Dan Fitzgerald returns to Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night after an excellent first game in Berlin.
In the first meeting this seson, ratiopharm Ulm saw their three game winning streak snapped Saturday night November 12th, 2010 in Weissenfels Germany as MittelDeutscher Basketball Club used a 9-2 early fourth quarter run as the Wolves earned a 61-49 win. Scoring under 50 points for the first time since returning to the Bundesliga in 2006-2007, ratiopharm Ulm shot 31% from the floor and suffered 20 turnovers in the loss. Despite the poor offensive production, Ulm entered the fourth quarter trailing 41-40, but the hungry Wolves outscored Ulm 20-9 in the final frame to take the game. Per Gunther was the lone double digit scorer for ratiopharm Ulm with a team best 16 points on 3 of 4 three point shooting
.
Click here for complete 11-12-10 Ulm @ MBC game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther was the lone double-digit scorer at MBC finishing with 16 points earlier this season.
Last season, ratiopharm Ulm and MBC split games with each team protecting their home floor with wins. In the most recent matchup taking place last January, ratiopharm Ulm took Sportszentrum Kuhberg for an emotional rollercoaster ride in Saturday night January 9th, 2010's thrilling 84-80 overtime win over MiddleDeutscher Basketball Club. After an excellent first half, Ulm built a 16 point lead rolling with momentum thanks to tremendous defensive effort and terrific teamwork. MBC battled back switching to a zone defense, outscoring Ulm 19-7 in the third and taking a 4 point lead late in the game. Ulm responded with a last minute run putting themselves in a position to win. Leading by three 69-66 with seconds to play, a game-tying left corner three from Wayne Bernard stunned ratiopharm Ulm and Sportszentrum Kuhberg focing overtime. But this roller coaster ride had a happy ending for ratiopharm Ulm as the team stepped up to seal the game earning the hardfought 84-80 overtime win. Fighting through the ups and downs of the game, staying tough through the momentum swings, the exciting home win was a classic 'kampfensieg' for ratiopharm Ulm.
click here for 1-9-10 Ulm v MBC Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther passionately reacts to his teams exciting 84-80 overtime 'Kampfensieg' over MBC Saturday night January 9th, 2010 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
click here for 1-9-10 Ulm v MBC Box score
click here for regio-tv
click here for Sudwest Presse photo gallery from Ulm v MBC
click here for photo gallery from Ulm v MBC
click here for MBC photo gallery from Ulm v MBC
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice attacks the basket in the second half of Sunday October 11th's game at Stadthalle in Weissenfels Germany. Rocky was excellent for Ulm scoring 17 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists
Earlier last season, MBC topped ratiopharm Ulm in their Bundesliga home opener. Facing a wave of emotion and enthusiasm from the east German crowd, ratiopharm Ulm started slow falling behind 25-9 after the first quarter as MittelDeutscher Basketball Club raised their Pro A championship banner and celebrated their return to the Bundesliga playing the first home game at Stadthalle since financially crashing in 2004. Ulm fought back throughout the game outscoring MBC in each of the final three quarters, but in the end, the Wolves held on for the 96-84 victory Sunday evening October 11th, 2009 at Stadthalle in Weissenfels Germany.
click here for October 11, 2009 Ulm @ MBC Game Summary!
ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward is focused to return to the lineup Saturday against MBC after missing the midweek game in Berlin.
Entering this season, history is on the side of MBC in matchups against Ulm as last years overtime win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg was ratiopharm Ulm's only win in 7 games against MBC. Without question, ratiopharm Ulm aims to reverse that trend Saturday night.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Coleman Collins
Focused to bounce back from their midweek road loss at ALBA Berlin, ratiopharm Ulm returns home in what will be the Sportszentrum Kuhberg debuts of Dan Fitzgerald and Tommy Mason-Griffin. After signing with ratiopharm Ulm before the March 1st deadline, both players were activated for Wednesdays road game in Berlin. In what was a strong first game for both players, Dan drilled three threes for 15 points while Tommy finished with 8 points 2 rebounds 5 assists for Ulm. Both Dan and Tommy are focused for a strong performance in what could be their Sportszentrum Kuhberg debut this weekend.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin takes aim on a strong home debut Saturday night against MBC.
Also hoping to be healthy for game time, ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing is focused to return to the lineup Saturday night against MBC. Sitting out Wednesday nights road game in Berlin, Robin hopes to be ready for action this weekend.
All week, former NBA coach Herb Brown spent time with the ratiopharm Ulm team adding his expertise while doing clinics and workouts with several youth teams in the Ulm organization. Certainly, it was a basketball week Ulm will remember.
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: captain working hard and focused for MBC game
Rocky Trice: excellent game Wed in Berlin with 15pt 5reb 4stl
Coleman Collins: ready for challenge against MBC frontcourt
Robin Benzing: focused to return v MBC
Per Gunther: has been in top form for Ulm this season
Travis Walton: defensive point guard ready for MBC matchups
Sebastian Betz: outstanding effort energizing Ulm team!
John Bryant: 20pt 9reb v Berlin Wed; focused for matchup vs MBC
Sean Sonderleiter: post man prepared for MBC frontline
Dan Fitzgerald: 15 points and 3 threes in return to Ulm Wednesday night
Tommy Mason-Griffin: 8pt 5ast in Ulm debut @ Berlin
Michael Wenzl: young post player gaining experience and helping Ulm
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Tunde Adekola
Location: Weissenfels, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Stadthalle
website: www.mitteldeutscherbc.de
2009-2010:
PLAYOFFS:
Offense: Radenko Pilcevic provides a quality change of pace with attacking drives and good ballmovement. Intelligent shooting guard Wayne Bernard is a key offensive threat for the Wolves along with Sascha Leutloff who provides the Wolves with active cutting and rebounding from the wing. . In the frontcourt, veteran forward Guido Grunheid is a key offensive threat with the ability to score inside and out while hardworking post man Johnnie Gilbert provides inside presence and Velimir Radinovic will be counted on for buckets on the block.
Defense: An aggressive team defense, MBC pressures the basketball fullcourt often double-teaming, trapping or denying the point guard. In the halfcourt, the Wolves will double the post, trap ballscreens or attack and double a point to wing pass. MBC will also change defenses going zone at times. A hardworking defensive team, MBC plays with excellent effort and energy.
GM: Martin Geissler
Head Coach: Bjorn Harmsen
Players:
Wayne Bernard: intelligent 2G a key offensive threat for MBC
Johnnie Gilbert: key part of MBC's year to year improvement
Velimir Radinovic: skilled C injured to open 2010-2011 season
Richard Shields: scoring wing has boosted MBC offense
Ronald Ross: excellent point guard attacks in transition
Rastko Dramicanin: three point shooting skilled forward
Radenko Pilcevic: young PG from Serbia also aggressive for MBC
Guido Grunheid: veteran shooting forward a key to MBC attack
Sascha Leutloff: hardworking forward has Bundesliga experience
