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 clutch 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.

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)^[2]

See also

• Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics

References

1. "1972 USA Men's Olympic Games Roster." usabasketball.com. Retrieved on May 2, 2014.
2. "USAB: Games of the XXth Olympiad -- 1972". USA Basketball. 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2014.

External links

• USA Basketball, official site