TENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 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.
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1979 USA RESULTS (7-1)
1979 WORLD UNIV. GAMES FINAL STANDINGS
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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.
| 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 | ||||||
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 |
NOTE: 1979 USA Men's World University Games individual player cumulative statistics are not available
