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

So . . . Friday didn't go how we all wanted it to.  Fortunately, Brad Underwood and the Illini get a mulligan with Michigan State coming to town Tuesday night.  Mike Carpenter picks up the pieces and tries to get back his fanboy mojo in anticipation of another big home game at the State Farm Center.

19 years ago, Illinois beat Michigan State at the first "Paint the Hall Orange" and announced their arrival on the national stage.  In the next five days, Brad Underwood's Illini team has an opportunity to announce their return to national relevance. Mike Carpenter reflects on this moment and his own journey as an Illini fan.  For a long-starved fan base, these two games mean everything.

The winning streak ends at 7, as the Illini lose to Iowa at Carver Hawkeye.  Mike Carpenter's temper flares up as he goes full-Fanboy, while Trevor Vallese ponders the double-meaning of Iowa's "White Out".  Alas, Illinois is still in first place with two huge home games upcoming. 

Illinois basketball has won seven games in a row (thanks in large part to Andres Feliz' 17 points), regaining the top spot in the Big Ten next to Michigan State.  Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react live to the second half of the Minnesota game, and look ahead to a huge Super Bowl Sunday matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Ayo Dosunmu is ice cold, and the Fighting Illini are red hot after their 6th straight conference win.  Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react to the second half of the Illinois-Michigan game (including Ayo's game winner), and try to process what the heck just happened.

The Illini triumph at Purdue with a 79-62 stomping of the Boilermakers, fortunately negating some first half stomping from Alan Griffin. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose recorded this podcast during the second half and react as Illinois played their best basketball of the season.

Happy days are here again!  Illinois basketball is in sole possession of 2nd place in the Big Ten after ending a 15-game losing streak to Wisconsin and beating Rutgers at home.  Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose are feeling optimistic about making the tournament (and isn't that what it's all about?)

The Jekyll and Hyde season of Illini basketball finds a 20-point loss at Michigan State followed up by a 26-point win against Purdue.  Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose dissect what went right, and what needs to KEEP going right for Brad Underwood's squad to make the NCAA Tournament.