The 1916–17 season was the second Big Ten Conference championship for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team.

[1] Woods was named the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for his work this season.

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

Woods was also selected as the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for the 1916–17 season.

[12] George Halas was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963), for his role in the development of the National Football League as well as for his coaching and playing for the Chicago Bears.