TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS
AUFSTIEGER KREIG!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Paderborn
Friday October 20, 2006 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm and Paderborn share much in common. Both teams earned promotion into the Bundesliga with fantastic championship seasons last year, Ulm winning the 2.Bundesliga South and Paderborn topping the 2.Bundesliga North. Both "Aufstiegers" have stressed the team approach to their entry into the Bundesliga and both teams have opened eyes early with strong competitive play. But for as much as these two teams have in common, they have not met head to head in recent seasons. Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, the two "Aufstiegers" finally meet head to head competing on the Bundesliga floor both worked so hard to earn last season. Friday night in Ulm is round one in the Battle of the Aufstiegers!
Photo by Thomas Fritsche
Ulm PG Austen Rowland currently leads the Bundesliga in assists per game at 6.5. Maybe more impressive is that Rowland has totaled 26 assist and only 9 turnovers in 135 plus minutes over the first 4 games.
After years of effort and hardwork to win the 2.Bundesliga and move up into the German first division, both ratiopharm Ulm and Paderborn are excited about the challenges ahead this season. While both teams competed in the 2.Bundesliga last year, the two teams never met because North and South teams are separated into two divisions like the old American and National leagues before Inter-League play. As Ulm and Paderborn won their leagues last season, much was discussed about the stronger of the two teams and leagues but a head to head matchup was only a dream.
Finally, for the first time, both teams will meet Friday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm and both teams look to settle the sportive argument by letting their game to the talking on the floor.
Photo by Thomas Fritsche
Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor loves the heart his team has shown --- playing arguably the leagues toughest schedule to start the year, the undersized Ulm team currently is tied for #1 in rebounding after 4 games.
Paderborn has burst out of the blocks this Bundesliga season with an excellent 3-1 record after notching 3 consecutive wins over Tubingen, Trier and the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Head Coach Doug Spradley has done a fine job of integrating several new import players into the system while helping the team overcome the loss of star PG Tim Black who has been sidelined since preseason with a leg injury. Black will miss Friday's game in Ulm but is expected to return from the IR within the next few games. Covering for Black, the triggerman to their championship season last year, is newly signed Lamar Hurd. A smooth, athletic playmaker, Hurd has stabalized the Paderborn backcourt and more than filled in for the injured Black. Averaging 8.3ppg an impressive 7r for a guard and 3.8ast in over 31min, Hurd has been a key to the teams fast start. At the 2spot is leading scorer Sergerio Gipson, an Illinois Fighting Illini product who tops the team with 14.5ppg including 7 of 19 threes. The athletic lefty scoring guard has created his own shot effectively and been a go-to-guy in his first few games with the team. At the small forward spot, veteran Steve Esterkamp, a key player from last seasons championship team, chips in 10.5ppg and is known as a solid three point threat. Esterkamp has played through a neck injury in the first few weeks and still been effective for his team. A key to the teams success is versatile forward Reggie Golson, well known to Ulm fans from his excellent season last year with TV Lich in the 2.Bundesliga South. Playing both the 3 and 4 spot, energizing the Paderborn attack with his athletic offensive skill, Golson has averaged 12.5ppg in 23min. Center Jordan Collins can be likened to the Bundesliga's Rasheed Wallace with his accuracy from beyond the three point arc and tough post defense. Collins has contributed 8.5ppg 5r and been solid from three this season. Marshall U product Mark Patton adds another intense player for the rotation and produces 8ppg 3.8r in 19minpg over the first 4 games. Physical team player Marius Nolte, another critical player for last seasons championship team, grinds his way to 10.3ppg. Overall, basketball fans must tip their cap to the fine team play Paderborn has demonstrated this season. Their fundamentally sound defense and teamwork on offense has earned them three solid wins and established some breathing room as an "Aufstieger".
Ulm's Maksym Shtein returns to the starting lineup this weekend replacing the injured Bryan Lucas.
While Paderborn has burst out with a 3-1 mark, ratiopharm Ulm has also competed extremely well --- suprisingly well to some. The undersized but energetic team has opened eyes within the league by competing head to head with perenial powers ALBA Berlin and Rhein Energie Koln in part of their 1-3 start. Playing with excellent intensity and heart, ratiopharm Ulm plays with the smallest lineup in the league yet after 4 games statistically is tied atop the league in rebounding. Best exemplifying the teams toughness, undersized power forward Jeff Gibbs has been Charles-Barkley-like ranking 5th in the league in rebounding while hardworking C Bryan Lucas checks in at 14th. Also spearheading Ulm's attack, PG Austen Rowland is proving himself well leading the league in assists at 6.5apg after 4 games. Like last season Ulm's offensive attack has been led by topscoring 2guard Jonathan Levy whose versatile gifts have helped him produce a team best 15.5ppg this season. Overall, Ulm takes pride in their early season performance and gains confidence from their challenging schedule.
Ulm's Jonathan Levy currently leads the team in scoring at 15.5ppg
Friday's duel between "Aufstiegers" is not without adversity for both teams. Paderborn must overcome their loss of PG Tim Black and also handle the difficult Kuhberghalle. Meanwhile, Ulm must compensate for the absence of C Bryan Lucas for the game. C Maksym Shtein slides into the starting lineup, a place he knows well from last seasons in Ulm. The Ulm team has confidence in Shtein and Shtein has confidence in the Ulm team --- a perfect foundation for Friday. But ratiopharm Ulm will use a team effort to overcome the loss of Lucas and while Shtein will start, the team expects forwards Jeff Gibbs, Konrad Wysocki and Florian Mobius to step up. The challenge is clear from a quality Paderborn team but ratiopharm Ulm aims to respond.
Konrad Wysocki does his best Steve Nash impersonation with a strong drive to the hoop!
As part of an exciting two game weekend, Ulm hosts Paderborn Friday before traveling to SelbyTel Baskets Nurnberg for a 5pm Sunday tip. Meanwhile, Paderborn must play in Ulm before heading home to greet Uwe Baskets Oldenburg Sunday at 4pm in Paderborn.
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
ROWLAND ROLLS ON
ratiopharm Ulm PG Austen Rowland currently is atop the Bundesliga in assissts per game at 6.5 after 4 games. Austen has been impressive in his first season with Ulm distributing 26 assist compared with only 9 turnovers in over 135 minutes of action.
#1 in HEART!
Ranking teams statistically is sure to overlook one key aspect of the ratiopharm Ulm team --- its HEART. As an "Aufstieger" playing arguably the most demanding early season schedule in the Bundesliga, ratiopharm Ulm's undersized lineup has landed at the top of the league rebound rankings after 4 games. Jeff Gibbs (ranked #5) and Bryan Lucas (ranked #14) lead the way! Although the season is young, ratiopharm Ulm players deserve credit for their hardwork, heart and relentless effort on the boards.
ULM ON TV....again!
As an "Aufstieger" into the Bundesliga no team can expect tremendous amount of TV time from the league's package with PREMIERE. Showing live games every Sunday at 5pm, most matchups feature perennial league powers such as ALBA, Koln, Bamberg or Bonn. ratiopharm Ulm team and fans were incredibly excited when PREMIERE announced a live TV game from Sportszentrum Kuhberg Sunday October 29th against Bamberg. But this week when PREMIERE announced the December 17th road game at Bremerhaven will be televised live, Ulm's energy jumped to the next level! First, for an "Aufstieger" to be featured on TV twice in the first half of the season is fantastic and demonstrates the interest in Ulm's team, players and playing style. Second and just as important, Ulm fans will be able to follow their team live on TV rather than struggle through the 10 hour travel adventure to the port city on the north sea. Excellent news indeed for team, fans and sponsors of ratiopharm Ulm --- DANKE PREMIERE!
STRONG START
Paderborn has enjoyed one of the strongest starts for any team in the Bundesliga as Head Coach Doug Spradley has guided his team to an impressive 3-1 record. Powered by excellent fundamentals and strong teamwork, Paderborn has opened eyes around the Bundesliga as a first year team. All this has been accomplished without the services of star PG Tim Black who has been sidelined since preseason with injury.
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
Ulm Roster
Emeka Erege: looks to bounce back from foul trouble in Koeln
Jonathan Levy: drilled 4 of 8 threes v Koeln
Jeff Gibbs: overcame 1st half foul trouble for 13 pt v Koeln
Austen Rowland: great game (19pt 6ast) head to head v Mallet
Bryan Lucas: will miss game with recovering from leg injury
Konrad Wysocki: energy for Ulm off the bench/key to team depth
Maksym Shtein: key post replacement for injured Lucas/ will start
Christian Grosse: ready to help team with perimeter accuracy!
Florian Mobius: key post sub for Ulm/big minutes v Koeln
Jan Sprunken: looks to step up production in coming games
Martin Theusen: backup PG looks to attack in minutes
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer
Location: Paderborn, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: Sportzentrum Maspernplatz
website: www.paderborn-baskets.de
2005-2006: 2.Bundesliga North Champions
Offense: After last seasons perfect 30-0 march to the 2.Bundesliga North championship, the only thing Paderborn lost was their main sponsor. Aside from this setback, Paderborn has built a solid team formed around returning PG Tim Black and excellent wing Steve Esterkamp. Scoring F Reggie Golson should be an impact player and G Sergerio Gipson and C Jordan Collins will be counted on heavily. Mark Patton from Marshall U was added to the team in September. Suffering an injury in the preseason, Tim Black will be sidelined several weeks and Lamar Hurd was added as an injury replacement.
Defense: While Paderborn was a dominant force in the 2.Bundesliga North, Head Coach Doug Spradley and his team face similar challenges to ratiopharm Ulm as "aufstiegers". Every game will be a challenge, but the team can play without pressure and compete to stay in the league.
GM:
Head Coach: Doug Spradley
Players:
Tim Black : top PG talent sidelined to start season
Steve Esterkamp: multiskilled wing is key for Paderborn
Sergerio Gipson: G from Illinois/Amsterdam Astronauts
Reggie Golson: scoring 3/4 joins Paderborn from TV Lich
Jordan Collins: 6'11 big man/ former NC State shotblocker
Mark Patton: rookie from Marshall Univ
Marius Nolte: helped Paderborn win a championship
Daniel Lienke: helped Paderborn win a championship
Christoph Hackenesch: helped Paderborn to a title
Chrisian Becker:helped Paderborn win a championship
Martin Duggen :helped Paderborn win a championship
Lamar Hurd: added as replacement for Black
