The 2000–01 Eastern Illinois Panthers men's basketball team represented Eastern Illinois University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference during the 2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This was Rick Samuels' 21st season as head coach at Eastern Illinois. After finishing second in the conference regular season standings, Eastern Illinois won the OVC tournament to secure the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Playing as No. 15 seed in the Midwest region, the Panthers were beaten by No. 2 seed and eventual National runner-up Arizona, 101–76, in the opening round.
2000–01 Eastern Illinois Panthers men's basketball team