Taking second in the Western Conference to the National Champion Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team.

During the season, the Illini dropped two games to Northwestern and one to eventual champion Wisconsin, but the first loss to the Wildcats was the Illini's first-ever overtime game as Northwestern scored two points in the overtime period to beat Illinois, 23-21, February 12, 1916, at what is now the Kenney Gym Annex.

The starting lineup included Gordon Otto, Dan W. Elwell and Ralf Woods rotating at the forward position, center C. G. Alwood, and guards Clarence Applegran and captain Ray Woods.

[2] Woods and Alwood were named All-Big Ten players for the season.

Ray Woods was elected to the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team" in 2004.