In 1967, the USA men's team journeyed to Tokyo, Japan, looking to defend its 1965 World University Games gold medal. The strong USA team, coached by Michigan State mentor John Benington, featured five players from the 1967 USA Pan American Games squad that had captured the gold earlier in Canada.

The U.S. efforts were aided in the hunt for the gold by a boycott by all communist countries which left the 1967 field significantly weakened. Regardless, the USA men compiled a 7-0 record and in the process earned the United States' second World University Games basketball gold medal.

The USA had little trouble capturing its second straight gold medal, winning its seven games by an average margin of 60.7 points. The Americans for the first time averaged over 100 points a game as the U.S. scored 105.6 points a game on offense, while allowing just 44.9 points on defense.

Mike Silliman, captain of the team, led the USA's balanced scoring attack averaging 15.1 ppg. The USA's capturing of the gold was truly a team effort as every member of the squad scored in six out of the seven games played.

The USA opened with a 79-53 victory over the Philippines, a game that would eventually prove to be the USA's closest decision of the tourney, as Silliman scored a team-high 23 points. The USA followed up with a 108-48 win over Belgium and Silliman again led the U.S. with 28 points.

Thailand fell to the American delegation 120-46 as 6'3' Jo Jo White led the U.S. offensive assault with 18 points. The Americans manhandled Hong Kong as Butch Beard poured in 26 points in the 135-28 thrashing. Wes Unseld scored 16 in a 92-63 romp over South Korea, and Larry Miller dumped in 20 points to help lift the U.S. to a 114-38 crushing of Japan.

With its perfect 6-0 record on the line, the USA advanced to the gold medal game against Brazil. Behind Unseld's 19 points, the U.S. handily defeated Brazil 91-38. Beard and Silliman chipped in 13 points apiece in the American effort.

With the final triumph, the U.S. was 15-0 and two-for-two in the World University Games. South Korea ended the '67 tournament with the silver and Brazil returned home with the bronze medal.