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

Illini basketball is less than a week away. Mike Carpenter breaks down the roster and schedule, along with the sky-high expectations for the best team since 2004-05. In a season that's bound to be the weirdest ever, why not win a conference title and grab that elusive national championship?

The win at Rutgers provided temporary relief, but the success of this Illini football team - and the future of Lovie Smith - are very much on the line this Saturday. Mike Carpenter discusses the tall task ahead, the complications of making a coaching change during a pandemic, and some surly interactions between Lovie and local sports media.

It was the Isaiah Williams show in Piscataway, NJ as Lovie Smith's Illini got off the schneid against Rutgers. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half with Trevor Vallese, Harry Black and Isaac Ambrose, while balancing the enjoyment of a win with lingering questions about coaching.

Illinois basketball nets their signing of the 2021 class with Luke Goode, a sharpshooting guard from Indiana. Mike Carpenter discusses the new addition, Ayo Dosunmu's appearance on the preseason All-American team, and the uncertainty with scheduling. Meanwhile, Lovie Smith's Illini face a must-win against Rutgers, but . . . does it even really matter?

It's time to move on. Mike Carpenter discusses the latest embarrassment from Lovie Smith's Illini, the sixth-straight loss for his program. With a buyout and COVID-19 financials, how can Josh Whitman make the necessary change for Illinois football?

A sleep-deprived, overly-caffeinated Mike Carpenter looks ahead to the third matchup between PJ Fleck and Lovie Smith. For the Illini, it's a must-win game, but regardless of result . . . where is the program headed? Meanwhile, Illinois basketball secures another top-10 non-conference matchup with Baylor.

After a late comeback bid, Lovie Smith's Illini fall to Purdue 31-24 at Memorial Stadium. Mike Carpenter reacts to the uneven affair with Trevor Vallese, Harry Black and Isaac Ambrose, while pondering the most spooky thought of all: where is this football program heading?

Days after throttling the Illini, the Wisconsin Badgers become the first Big Ten team to have their season impacted by COVID-19. Mike Carpenter discusses the concerns going forward, while looking forward to a possible bounce-back game for Illinois against Purdue.