The 1938–39 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois.

The 1938-39 season was year number three for head coach Doug Mills.

Overall the team regrouped from a miserable eighth-place finish in the Big Ten a year earlier by winning 9 of their 10 home games only losing to conference rival Indiana.

Mills' Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team featured only 5 returning letterman.

Along with team captain Tom Nisbit, the Illini also featured a starting lineup of Lewis Dehner at the center position, John Drish, Joe Frank and William Hapac at forward and George Wardley, and Colin Handlon at guard.