1972 United States men's Olympic basketball team
The 1972 United States men's Olympic basketball team represented the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. Led by Tom Henderson and Dwight Jones, the team would go on to win the Silver medal. In the final game of the Olympics Team USA would lose its first game ever and end a 63-game winning streak (The streak began in the 1936 Summer Olympics).
Roster
| Name[1] | Position | Height | Weight | Age | Team/School | Home Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Bantom | F | 6-8 | 205 | 20 | St. Joseph's University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Jim Brewer | F/C | 6-9 | 220 | 20 | University of Minnesota | Maywood, Illinois |
| Tommy Burleson | C | 7-4 | 225 | 20 | North Carolina State University | Newland, North Carolina |
| Doug Collins | G | 6-6 | 180 | 21 | Illinois State University | Benton, Illinois |
| Kenny Davis | G | 6-1 | 180 | 23 | Georgetown College | Georgetown, Kentucky |
| James Forbes | F | 6-7 | 200 | 20 | University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, Texas |
| Tom Henderson | G | 6-2 | 190 | 20 | San Jacinto College | Bronx, New York |
| Bobby Jones | C/F | 6-8 | 205 | 20 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Dwight Jones | C | 6-8 | 205 | 20 | University of Houston | Houston, Texas |
| Kevin Joyce | G | 6-3 | 190 | 21 | University of South Carolina | North Merrick, New York |
| Charles Thomas McMillen | F | 6-11 | 210 | 22 | University of Maryland, College Park | Mansfield, Pennsylvania |
| Ed Ratleff | F/G | 6-6 | 190 | 22 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach, California |
Controversial game
The final game came down to the final minute. After the USSR took a 49-48 lead against Team USA, the Americans came storming back. American guard Doug Collins hit two free throws after being fouled with three seconds left in the game. After Collins hit his free throws, the Soviets failed to score and Team USA appeared to win, 50-49. However, one referee apparently whistled play to stop with a second remaining in regulation after hearing an earlier horn and seeing an error at the scores table. The inbounds play was done over again; yet again the Soviets failed to score. However, the Secretary General of FIBA ordered the clock to be reset again at three seconds. This time the Soviets scored. The U.S. later filed a protest, but to no avail. Team USA then refused their Silver medals, which remain in storage in Lausanne, Switzerland, until the team unanimously decides to claim them, which has led to two players Kenny Davis and Tom Henderson to state in their will, their descendants could not claim the silver.[2]
1972 USA results (8-1)
- USA beats Czechoslovakia, 66-35
- USA beats Australia, 81-55
- USA beats Cuba, 67-48
- USA beats Brazil, 67-54
- USA beats Egypt, 96-31
- USA beats Spain, 72-56
- USA beats Japan, 99-33
- USA beats Italy, 68-38
- USSR beats USA, 51-50
1972 Olympic games final standings
- 1. Soviet Union (9-0)
- 2. United States (8-1)
- 3. Cuba (7-2)
- 4. Italy (5-4)
- 5. Yugoslavia (7-2)
- 6. Puerto Rico (6-3)
- 7. Brazil (5-4)
- 8. Czechoslovakia (4-5)
- 9. Australia (5-4)
- 10. Poland (3-6)
- 11. Spain (4-5)
- 12. F.R. of Germany (3-6)
- 13. Philippines (3-6)
- 14. Japan (2-7)
- 15. Senegal (0-8)
- 16. Egypt (0-8)[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "1972 USA Men's Olympic Games Roster." usabasketball.com. Retrieved on May 2, 2014.
- ↑ Golden, Daniel. "Three Seconds at 1972 Olympics Haunt U.S. Basketball". Boomberg.
- ↑ "USAB: Games of the XXth Olympiad -- 1972". USA Basketball. 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
External links
- USA Basketball, official site