The 1971–72 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 1971–72 NCAA University Division men's basketball season. The Redbirds, led by second-year head coach Will Robinsion, played their home games at in Normal, Illinois as members of the Conference of Midwestern Universities. They finished the season 16–10, 6–2 in conference play to finish in second place.