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

Live from Orlando with Harry Black (12/30/24)

Mike Carpenter is joined by The 200 Level co-host emeritus Harry Black ahead of Illinois football's appearance in the Citrus Bowl. They recap a memorable 9-3 regular season and discuss how this team's success alters expectations for the program going forward. Also, they ponder just how awesome it would be if Bret Bielema's squad pulled off the upset against South Carolina.

A Very Kasparas Kristmas (12/23/24)

Illinois basketball wins their second-straight Braggin' Rights game 80-77 behind big shots from Kasparas Jakucionis and a gritty effort by Kylan Boswell. Mike Carpenter was in attendance for the first time since Rayvonte Rice's buzzer-beater in 2014, and recaps a wild game all-too-often interrupted by terrible officiation. Unlike the Northwestern and Tennessee losses, Brad Underwood's Illini find a way to close things out with timely shots and defensive stops.

Cool Hand Luke (12/18/24)

Luke Altmyer will return to Illinois for his senior season, a bit of huge news ahead of the team's appearance in the Citrus Bowl. Mike Carpenter takes a quick break from basketball to discuss how Luke's return affects expectations going into 2025, raising the floor for Bret Bielema's program and giving them an even better chance of sustaining momentum.

Pain & Gainey (12/15/24)

Illinois loses a heartbreaker at the buzzer to #1 Tennessee on a Jordan Gainey layup, 66-64. Mike Carpenter recaps the loss which came in front of a raucous State Farm Center crowd. While there were positives to take away from the Illini's performance (namely, their defense), the defeat seemed to open a can of worms about Brad Underwood. How did his personnel choices and late game decision-making impact the result? Zooming out, do his in-game adjustments (or lack thereof) lower the ceiling for this Illinois basketball team?

KJ + Tre > Tonje (12/10/24)

It's simple math, really. Illinois basketball wins their ninth straight over Wisconsin behind 20+ point games from Kasparas Jakucionis and Tre White. Meanwhile, Badgers star guard John Tonje was held in check by Kylan Boswell. A spirited effort from Brad Underwood's (especially on the boards) helped overcome a poor shooting night from long range, giving the team their first Big Ten win of the season. Next up: #1 Tennessee at the State Farm Center on Saturday, December 14.

Stop. Losing. To. Northwestern. (12/06/24)

Illinois loses at Northwestern for the third year in a row (and the second year in a row in overtime). Mike Carpenter is joined by Kenton Elmore for a special Hot Ones Challenge, trying ten different hot sauces as Brad Underwood's Illini take a 10-point second half lead, only to have Chris Collins' Wildcats take it to overtime before closing the deal. Next up: Illinois hosts Wisconsin on Tuesday night.

Reflections on the 2024 Illini Football Season (12/03/24)

Now that the dust has settled on the regular season, Mike Carpenter reflects on the 2024 Illinois football team. He discusses how this season improved upon the promise from two years ago, hinting at more sustainable success going forward. Later, he opens the listener mailbag to ask fans how their perceptions of Bret Bielema's program have changed, and what was the signature moment of the season - Xavier Scott's pick-6 vs. Kansas, overtime at Nebraska, the fake punt vs. Michigan, or Pat Bryant's game-winner at Rutgers.

Nine (W)innings (11/30/24)

Illinois football secures just the eighth 9-win season in program history with a 38-28 victory over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. Mike Carpenter reflects on the season and its implications for Bret Bielema's program going forward - from the big home wins against Kansas and Michigan to last-second heroics at Nebraska and Rutgers. The stage is set for the Fighting Illini to head to the Citrus Bowl and take on an SEC opponent.