Mexico City, Mexico • September 2-13, 1979



In 1979, the USA men headed south of the border to Mexico City, Mexico, with gold on their minds. Coached by Ken Anderson of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the USA arrived in Mexico looking for its third straight World University Games gold medal. The Americans returned home with a 7-1 record and the gold medal.

1979 USA RESULTS (7-1) USA 144 Jordan 34 USA 147 Saudi Arabia 25 USA 173 Sudan 14 Yugoslavia 79 USA 73 USA 86 Canada 76 USA 138 Bulgaria 79 USA 75 Mexico 67 USA 88 Yugoslavia 70 1979 WORLD UNIV. GAMES FINAL STANDINGS

1. USA (7-1) 9. Brazil (6-2) 2. Yugoslavia (6-2) 10. Israel (6-2) 3. Cuba (6-2) 11. Japan (5-3) 4. Mexico (5-2) 12. Panama (3-5) 5. Canada (5-3) 13. Finland (5-3) 6. Bulgaria (4-4) 14. Congo (3-5) 7. F. R. of Germany (5-3) 15. Liberia (3-5) 8. Belgium (3-5) 16. Jordan (2-6)

Opening the preliminary round in impressive fashion, the USA roared past Jordan by 110 points, 144-34, then crushed Saudi Arabia 147-25. Scoring a USA record 173 points, the most points ever scored by a USA team in a major international tournament, Sudan was demolished 173-14. The U.S. team in its first three one-sided wins averaged 132.3 ppg. while only allowing 24.3 ppg. for an amazing average margin of victory of 108 points.

However, the U.S. was derailed as a 19-point advantage slipped through its hands and Yugoslavia stormed back to capture a 79-73 victory. Needing to win its three remaining games if the gold medal dream was to be again realized, the USA did just that as future NBA all-star Andrew Toney lead the U.S. to an 86-76 win over Canada, a 138-79 romp past Bulgaria and a semifinal round victory over Mexico 75-67.

Advancing to the gold medal game and a rematch against Yugoslavia, the U.S. was looking to avenge its earlier loss to the Yugoslavs. The Americans came out gunning from the start and by half had a 42-30 edge. Remembering only too well Yugoslavia's comeback in the earlier contest, the USA kept the pressure going and behind Toney's 22 points and 12 more from future Boston Celtic great Kevin McHale, cruised on to an 88-70 win for the 1979 gold medal.

While the U.S. captured the gold and Yugoslavia earned the silver, Cuba upended host Mexico 71-57 to win the bronze medal.

1979 USA MEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES ROSTER

NAME POS HGT WGT AGE SCHOOL HOMETOWN Darwin Cook G 6-3 195 21 Portland Los Angeles, CA Kevin McHale F 6-10 225 21 Minnesota Hibbing, MN Joe Merten F 6-6 185 20 Wisconsin-Eau Claire Kenosha, WI Jawan Oldham C 7-1 240 22 Seattle Seattle, WA Richard Ravio G 6-5 210 22 Portland Portland, OR Ulysess Reed G 6-3 177 20 Arkansas Pine Bluff, AR Jeff Ruland F 6-11 240 20 Iona Farmingville, NY Larry Smith F 6-8 205 21 Alcorn State Coll. Hollandalle, MS Tommy Springer G 5-10 175 21 Vanderbilt Nashville, TN Andrew Toney G 6-3 190 21 Southwestern Louisiana

(now Louisiana-Lafayette) Birmingham, AL Craig Tucker G 6-0 175 18 Illinois Flint, MI Rudy Woods F 6-11 215 19 Texas A&M Bryan, TX HEAD COACH: Ken Anderson, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ASSISTANT COACH: Jack Avina, Portland University (OR) ASSISTANT COACH: Robert Sechrest, Mineral Area Junior College (MO) MANAGER: Leon Spencer, Henderson County Junior College (TX) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Dave Ellisor, University of South Carolina

1979 USA MEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES TEAM

CUMULATIVE STATISTICS





NAME G FGM-FGA PCT FTM-FTA PCT REB/AVG PTS/AVG USA TOTALS 8 924/115.5 OPP. TOTALS 8 444/ 55.5