1967–68 Kentucky Colonels season

The 1967–68 Kentucky Colonels season was the first season of the Colonels in the newly created American Basketball Association. The team was created on March 6, 1967, with Don Regan being awarded the team for $30,000. Later in the year, Joseph Gregory, Mamie Gregory and William C. Boone became owners.

1967–68 Kentucky Colonels season
Head coach	John Givens (5–12) Gene Rhodes (31–30)
Arena	Louisville Convention Center
Results
Record	36–42 (.462)
Place	Division: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Lost in the Eastern Division Semifinals

The Colonels finished tied for fourth place in the ABA's Eastern Division with the New Jersey Americans, and a one-game playoff was to be played on March 23, the day after the Colonels had won the final game of the season over the Indiana Pacers 119–106. However, the conditions of the arena where the game was to be taken place were deemed to be in poor condition. The Colonels refused to play, and ABA Commissioner George Mikan ruled a forfeit in favor of the Colonels. In the Eastern Division Semifinals, they lost to the Minnesota Muskies 3 games to 2.

Roster

• 50 Howard Bayne – Power forward
• 52 Orbie Bowling – Center
• 34 Bill Bradley – Shooting guard
• 24 Jim Caldwell – Center
• 35 Darel Carrier – Shooting guard
• 40 Larry Conley – Shooting guard
• 10 Louie Dampier – Point guard
• 32 David Gaines – Shooting guard
• 24 Stew Johnson – Power forward
• 22 Goose Ligon – Power forward
• 25 Randolph Mahaffey – Small forward
• 44 Cotton Nash – Small forward
• 45 Bobby Rascoe – Small forward
• 14/41 Kendall Rhine – Center
• 42 Joe Roberts – Small forward
• 32 Rubin Russell – Shooting guard
• 14 George Sutor – Center
• 54 Tommy Woods – Power forward

Final standings

Eastern Division

Team	W	L	PCT.	GB
Pittsburgh Pipers C	54	24	.692	–
Minnesota Muskies	50	28	.641	4
Indiana Pacers	38	40	.487	16
Kentucky Colonels	36	42	.462	18
New Jersey Americans	36	42	.462	18

Record vs. opponents

1967-68 ABA Records
Team	ANA	DAL	DEN	HOU	IND	KEN	MIN	NJA	NOB	OAK	PIT
Anaheim	—	2–8	3–7	6–3	2–4	0–6	1–5	2–4	2–7	6–4	1–5
Dallas	8–2	—	4–5	8–2	3–3	5–1	2–4	3–3	4–6	7–2	2–4
Denver	7–3	5–4	—	6–3	4–2	2–4	2–4	5–1	5–5	7–3	2–4
Houston	3–6	2–8	3–6	—	3–3	3–3	3–3	3–3	0–10	7–3	2–4
Indiana	4–2	3–3	2–4	3–3	—	6–5	3–8	6–4	3–3	4–2	4–6
Kentucky	6–0	1–5	4–2	3–3	5–6	—	5–5	4–7	2–4	3–3	3–7
Minnesota	5–1	4–2	4–2	3–3	8–3	5–5	—	7–3	5–1	5–1	4–7
New Jersey	4–2	3–3	1–5	3–3	4–6	7–4	3–7	—	3–3	5–1	3–8
New Orleans	7–2	6–4	5–5	10–0	3–3	4–2	1–5	3–3	—	6–3	3–3
Oakland	4–6	2–7	3–7	3–7	2–4	3–3	1–5	1–5	3–6	—	0–6
Pittsburgh	5–1	4–2	4–2	4–2	6–4	7–3	7–4	8–3	3–3	6–0	—

Playoffs

Eastern Division Semifinals

Game	Date	Location	Score	Record	Attendance
1	March 24	Minnesota	102–115	0–1	661
2	March 26	Minnesota	100–95	1–1	3,874
3	March 27	Kentucky	107–116	1–2	1,458
4	March 29	Kentucky	94–86	2–2	4,472
5	March 30	Minnesota	108–114	2–3	879

Colonels lose series, 3–2

Awards and honors

1968 ABA All-Star Game selections (game played on January 9, 1968)

• Louie Dampier
• Darel Carrier
• Randolph Mahaffey
• All-ABA Second Team selection
  • Louie Dampier
• All-ABA Rookie Team selection
  • Louie Dampier

References

• Colonels on Basketball Reference

External links

• RememberTheABA.com 1967–68 regular season and playoff results
• RememberTheABA.com Kentucky Colonels page