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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	1972 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

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^[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