1985–86 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team

1985–86 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
Record15–14 (9–7 MVC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Pat Cunningham
  • Anthony Jones
  • Duffy Burns
  • Ron Hecklinski
  • Mark Zwart
Home arenaHorton Field House
1985–86 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 14 Bradley 16 0   1.000 32 3   .914
Tulsa 10 6   .625 23 9   .719
Drake 10 6   .625 19 11   .633
Illinois State 9 7   .563 15 14   .517
Wichita State 7 9   .438 14 14   .500
Creighton 7 9   .438 12 16   .429
Indiana State 7 9   .438 11 17   .393
West Texas State 4 12   .250 11 17   .393
Southern Illinois 4 12   .250 8 20   .286
1986 MVC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1985–86 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Redbirds, led by eighth year head coach Bob Donewald, played their home games at Horton Field House and competed as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.

They finished the season 15–14, 9–7 in conference play to finish in fourth place. They were the number four seed for the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. They made it to the semifinal game before losing to ninth ranked Bradley University.