The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter is a weekly podcast focusing on Illinois Fighting Illini sports.
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.
And just like that, it's over. Illinois' season ends in heartbreaking fashion to Loyola Chicago in a game that was never truly in doubt. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during the second half and try to process the finality of a remarkable Illini basketball season.
Ayo Dosunmu and the Illini make quick work of the Drexel Dragons with a dominant 79-48 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react during an impressive 2nd half and look ahead to potential matchups in the second round.
It's been eight years since Illini basketball made the tournament, and Mike Carpenter is ready to tip things off. He's joined by Lon Tay (The Drive on ESPN 93.5, Tay & Carp, Tay & J Show) as they discuss Illinois' chances, what makes this team different than the '05 squad, and what a national title would do for the fanbase.
24 hours after the Illini clinched the Big Ten Championship and a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, Mike Carpenter reflects on the team's remarkable run. Later, he discusses the stellar performances from Illinois' supporting cast, and why - despite some tough draws - fans should be optimistic for a national title run.
