The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini Fan Podcast

A Time to Will (02/08/25)

When they needed a win in the worst way, Illinois basketball got one in style with a 95-74 blowout over Minnesota at the Barn. Freshman Will Riley continued his heater, dropping 27 points in addition to nine rebounds and seven assists. Kasaparas Jakucionis added another 24 of his own, while Tomislav Ivisic grabbed an 18-11 double-double on near-perfect shooting. It's not the first blowout win of the Illini's season, so the question is: can they capitalize on two big opportunites at home vs. UCLA and Michigan State?

Absolutely Exhausting (02/05/25)

Momentum is only good as the next game's opponent, so it's no surprise that Illinois basketball lost to . . . Rutgers? By 9? Mike Carpenter reacts (calmly, then angrily) as Brad Underwood's team again looks like an absolute mess in an 82-73 defeat to the Scarlet Knights in some arena named after oily submarine sandwiches. Will Riley was awesome, but that's about it. Another chance to lose to a Quad 2 opponent awaits on Saturday as the Illini head up to Minnesota. 

Bucked the Trend (02/02/25)

After a troubling end to January, Illini basketball responds to kick off February with an 87-79 win over Ohio State. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half, which saw Illinois trailing by as much as 11 before going on a run of their own. A lineup of Tomislav Ivisis, Morez Johnson, Kylan Boswell, Will Riley, and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn sealed the deal on a victory that could have ramifications for the rest of the season. Next up: at Rugers on Wednesday.

What Are We Even Doing Here? (01/30/25)

Illinois basketball is in a precarious position entering the month of February, losing 4 of their last 6. The nadir of the season so far comes in Lincoln, Nebraska as Fred Hoiberg's Huskers never trailed en route to an 80-74 overtime win. Mike Carpenter reacts with plenty of frustration as the Illini played perhaps their sloppiest game yet, topped off by atrocious end-of-regulation coaching by Brad Underwood. It's enough to make any fan wonder where do they go from here?

A Tale of Two Teams (01/26/25)

Illinois basketball bounces back with an 83-74 win over Northwestern thanks to a dominating first half. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second 20 minutes, as the Illini and Wildcats played mostly even until a late-game rally from the away team made it a single digit game. While there were plenty of positive flashes on defense, and balanced scoring on offense, the game summed up an Illinois basketball season with tantalizing highs and confusing lows. Next up: at Nebraska on Thursday night.

KJ Was Whistled for Yet Another Foul as I Recorded This (01/20/25)

Illinois loses an 80-78 heartbreaker to Michigan State in East Lansing, falling to 5-3 in Big Ten play. Mike Carpenter was at the Breslin Center and discusses the frustrations of the game, specifically Kasparas Jakucionis being limited to a mere eight minutes due to foul trouble. Brad Underwood's team does have a favorable stretch coming up, during which they can stack wins and potentially get back in the conference race. At the end of the podcast, Mike talks about an Illini Guys publishing a story about an unfounded rumor last week, and how credentialed media need to follow basic journalistic principles.

Candy Cane Striped Pants Are Stupid (01/14/25)

Kasparas Jakucionis is back, and with him, the good (nay, DOMINANT) side of Illini basketball. They smoke a reeling Indiana Hoosiers team at the Bizarro Assembly Hall 94-69, notching their 13th win of the season. Mike Carpenter reacts during a second half which started off sloppily, but Illinois quickly regained their groove. As the game came towards its conclusion, Tomislav Ivisic had words for Luke Goode after a physical play, leading to a scrum that rekindled some long-lost hatred between the two programs. The dust settled in a half-empty Hoosier arena, as the Indiana faithful were reminded of their two-decades worth of suckitude. Too bad, so sad.

Bad Underwood 2: Electric Boogaloo (01/11/25)

Sorry for the title, but if there was a time to do it . . . an uninspired Illinois basketball team loses at home to USC 82-72. Mike Carpenter reacts during a frustratingly sleepy and sloppy second half, as Brad Underwood's team got outscored, outrebounded, and outhustled by the visiting Trojans. The Quad 3 loss may loom large come Selection Sunday and puts a significant dent in the team's chances of a Big Ten Title. Next up: two road games at Indiana and Michigan State.