The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter is a weekly podcast focusing on Illinois Fighting Illini sports.
Chester Frazier returns to Illini basketball as an assistant coach, while Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman head to Kentucky. Mike Carpenter reacts to the arrival and departures, reflects on the Adam Miller saga, and discusses Isaiah Williams move to wide receiver.
Illinois basketball fans wait with bated breath for Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman's next move. Mike Carpenter discusses the immediate concerns if they leave, but finds silver linings in Josh Whitman's aggressive counter-offer and possible replacements.
Mike Carpenter discusses the Illini spring game, including the QB battle between Brandon Peters and Isaiah Williams, and does a far-too-early breakdown of the 2021 schedule. Then, he discusses no-shows by Adam Miller and Orlando Antigua (and a surprising appearance by EJ Liddell).
Trent Frazier announces his return for a fifth year, while Utah transfer Alfonso Plummer commits to Illinois. Mike Carpenter reacts to a great weekend for the Illini basketball backcourt and what's next for Brad Underwood's roster. Also, Bret Bielema lands two recruits ahead of Monday's spring game.
It's the 200th episode of The 200 Level! Mike Carpenter has plenty of Illini basketball to discuss, including new 2021 commit Brandin Podziemski from Wisconsin, the possible return of Trent Frazier, uncertainty around Adam Miller, and how next year's roster is shaping up. Also, the spring football game is welcoming back fans to Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2019.
AJ Storr becomes the 2nd Illini basketball commit of the 2022 class while the program waits for another transfer to join Omar Payne. Mike Carpenter discusses the short-term concerns and long-term optimism with Underwood's roster building. Later, he addresses vaccine hesitancy in sports, including the Illinois football staff.
The transfer portal giveth, the transfer portal taketh. Mike Carpenter discusses the loss of Adam Miller, the addition of Omar Payne, and who may be next for Brad Underwood's Illini. He also bids farewell to Ayo Dosunmu and shares the good vibes for Bret Bielema's football program.
Adam Miller enters the transfer portal, leaving another hole on the Illini basketball roster. Mike Carpenter reacts to the news, what it means for Brad Underwood and the program, and how deflating the last two weeks have been as an Illinois fan.
The dust has settled on the Illini basketball season, and Mike Carpenter is ready to turn the page. He reads listener responses on how they will remember the 2021 team, discusses reasons to be optimistic for the future, and compares this year's success to the building block of the Lon Kruger era.
72 hours later, Mike Carpenter is still trying to grasp how an Illini basketball season full of exhilarating highs could end in such an anticlimactic fashion. He discusses the wide range of emotions - grateful to angry, fulfilled to empty - and how this team's legacy is impacted by their early tournament exit.
