The 2016–17 Ball State Cardinals men's basketball team represented Ball State University during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.

The Cardinals, led by fourth-year head coach James Whitford, played their home games at Worthen Arena as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.

4 seed in the MAC tournament they defeated Western Michigan in the quarterfinals to advance to the Semifinals where they lost to Akron.

They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they lost in the first round to Fort Wayne.

They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they defeated Tennessee State and UT Martin to advance to the Quarterfinals before losing to Columbia.