1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season

1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season
Division champions
Head coach	Joe Mullaney
Arena	Freedom Hall
Results
Record	68–16 (.810)
Place	Division: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Division Semifinals (lost to the Nets 2–4)

The 1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season was the fifth season of the Colonels in the American Basketball Association. The Colonels won 68 games on the season, en route to their first ever Division title, led by Issel and rookie Artis Gilmore, who like Issel signed a 10 years and $1.5 million contract. Gilmore won both ABA Rookie of the Year and ABA Most Valuable Player, averaging 23.8 points and 17.8 rebounds per game. However the Colonels were upset in 6 games by the New York Nets in the Division Semifinals. Notably, the Colonels played the Baltimore Bullets in the 2nd ever exhibition ABA vs. NBA game on September 22, 1971, in Louisville, Kentucky, winning 111–85.

Roster

1971–72 Kentucky Colonels roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From SG 35 Darel Carrier 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) October 26, 1940 Western Kentucky PG 10 Louie Dampier 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) November 20, 1944 Kentucky PG 32 Mike Gale 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) July 18, 1950 Elizabeth City State C 53 Artis Gilmore 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 240 lb (109 kg) September 21, 1949 Jacksonville PF 4 Les Hunter 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) August 16, 1942 Loyola Chicago C 44 Dan Issel 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) October 25, 1948 Kentucky PF 22 Jim Ligon 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) February 22, 1944 Kokomo High School PG 3 Jim O'Brien 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) April 9, 1950 Boston College SF 9 Cincy Powell 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) February 25, 1942 Portland SG 33 Mike Pratt 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) August 4, 1948 Kentucky SG 15, 30 Pierre Russell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) December 13, 1949 Kansas SF 2 Walt Simon 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) December 1, 1939 Benedict SG 3 Howie Wright 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) February 22, 1947 Austin Peay

Head coach Joe Mullaney Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster

Final standings

Eastern Division

Team	W	L	%	GB
Kentucky Colonels	68	16	.810	-
Virginia Squires	45	39	.536	23
New York Nets	44	40	.524	24
The Floridians	36	48	.429	32
Carolina Cougars	35	49	.417	33
Pittsburgh Condors	25	59	.298	43

Playoffs

Eastern Division Semifinals

Game	Date	Location	Score	Record	Attendance
1	April 1	Kentucky	108–122	0–1	4,772
2	April 4	Kentucky	90–105	0–2	8,212
3	April 5	New York	105–99	1–2	14,056
4	April 7	New York	92–100	1–3	14,896
5	April 8	Kentucky	109–103	2–3	7,949
6	April 10	New York	96–101	2–4	11,533

Colonels lose series, 4–2

Awards and honors

1972 ABA All-Star Game selections (game played on January 29, 1972, in Louisville, Kentucky)

• Dan Issel (named MVP of the game)
• Louie Dampier
• Artis Gilmore

Mullaney was selected to coach the Eastern Conference.

• ABA Most Valuable Player Award: Artis Gilmore
• Rookie of the Year: Artis Gilmore
• All ABA-First Team selections
  • Dan Issel
  • Artis Gilmore
• All ABA-Rookie Team selections
  • Artis Gilmore

References

• Colonels on Basketball Reference

External links

• RememberTheABA.com 1971–72 regular season and playoff results
• RememberTheABA.com Kentucky Colonels page