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1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season

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1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season
Division champions
Head coachJoe Mullaney
ArenaFreedom Hall
Results
Record68–16 (.810)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish1972 ABA Semifinals
< 1970–71 1972–73 >

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

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Final standings

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Eastern Division

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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

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Eastern Division Semifinals[1]

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

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

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

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  1. ^ "1971-72 ABA Regular Season Standings". Remembertheaba.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
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