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PODCAST

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

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter is a podcast offering a fan’s perspective on Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball.

sports basketball

All Episodes

01:04:57

A Memorable Night at Memorial Stadium (09/08/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/09/08

Illini football gets a massive win in front of a sold-out crowd, beating #19 Kansas 23-17. Mike Carpenter reacts to a perfect day and night at Memorial Stadium, and how the win not only improves the prospects for this year's team, but for the direction of Bret Bielema's program. He also opens up the listener mailbag and discusses how big this victory was for a starved fan base.

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57:44

The Biggest Game of the Bielema Era (09/03/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/09/03

This is it - the game we've been waiting for! Illinois welcomes in Kansas for a week two grudge match with an opportunity to jumpstart a run to a bowl game. Mike Carpenter discusses how this game is massive for Bret Bielema's program in his fourth year, and how its result will impact the fan base, recruits, and short-and-long-term success of Illini football.

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53:31

Charleston Chewed (08/30/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/08/30

Illinois football gets their season off to a rollicking start with a 45-0 victory over EIU. Mike Carpenter recaps the dominating win led by a balanced offensive attack, with Luke Altmeyer throwing 4 TDs and Kaedin Feagin picking up where he left off at running back. Also, Aaron Henry's defense settles in after a shaky first possession, pitching a shut-out. Next up: Kansas at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 7.

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56:30

It's Game Week! (08/26/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/08/26

The 2024 Illini Football season is days away from kicking off against Eastern Illinois! Mike Carpenter opens up the listener mailbag to see what fans think will be Illinois football's overall record, best win, worst loss, and the MVPs on each side of the ball. He makes his final predictions for the upcoming season, and explains why a "bowl game or bust" attitude is appropriate for this roster.

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01:11:41

Vallese the Kraken (08/22/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/08/22

Mike Carpenter is joined by longtime co-host Trevor Vallese to discuss the upcoming Illini football season. They rank the games in order of difficulty in an effort to find six or more wins and gauge their confidence level in each of the position groups. Finally, they talk about the ceiling and floor for Bret Bielema's team, and what the different results would say about his program in year four.

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58:50

'saac Attack (08/14/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/08/15

Longtime 200 Level co-host Isaac Ambrose hops on to discuss all things Illini Football with Mike Carpenter. They talk about the raised floor and potential high ceiling of Barry Lunney's offense, the need for Aaron Henry's defense to be merely serviceable, and what it will take for Bret Bielema's team to reach a bowl game in 2024.

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57:27

2024 Illini Football Expectations (08/07/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/08/07

We're just over three weeks from the start of the 2024 Illini Football season! Mike Carpenter reflects on how a disappointing 2023 looms large entering Bret Bielema's fourth season. He also discusses reasons for concern and optimism on both sides of the ball, before looking ahead to the 12-game schedule and making a prediction on Illinois' overall record.

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52:45

I Wrote a Book! (08/01/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/08/01

Mike Carpenter announces the upcoming release of The 200 Level: An Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball Fan's Journey, available for pre-order now ahead of its general release in October. He details what inspired him to write the book, how the process began, and what he hopes readers will get from it. Also, a discussion of the start of fall football camp and the highly-productive offseason for Brad Underwood's basketball program.

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49:39

Terrence Shannon Jr. Found Not Guilty (06/14/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/06/14

Terrence Shannon Jr. is found not guilty on the charges he faced in Lawrence, KS. Mike Carpenter reacts to the verdict and the trial itself, including a dearth of evidence from the prosecution and a strong defense from TSJ's attorneys. Also, he discusses Coleman Hawkins' huge NIL deal with Kansas State and Zakhari Franklin's commitment to Bielema's football program.

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55:57

Supercalifragilistic Kasparas Jakucionis (05/29/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/05/29

Brad Underwood rounds out his roster with the addition of Kasparas Jakucionis, an 18-year-old Lithuanian guard. Mike Carpenter reacts to the new commit and his impressive skill set, along with how it fits with Illinois' seven other additions. Later, he opens the listener mailbag to see how they would grade Illini basketball's offseason.

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48:54

Euro Trip (05/06/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/05/06

Brad Underwood finds his rim-protecting, 3-point-shooting big after a trip to Europe, landing 7'1" Tomislav Ivisic from Croatia. Mike Carpenter reacts to the new commit which solidifies a revamped, versatile frontcourt with Ben Humichrous, Carey Booth, and Morez Johnson. He also reacts to the latest in the Terrence Shannon Jr. case, along with a look at the state of Illini football after spring practice.

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46:22

Dr. Underwood (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and...

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/04/18

Transfer portal season is fully underway, and Brad Underwood has already bolstered the 2024-25 Illini basketball roster. Mike Carpenter discusses the additions of Kylan Boswell, Jake Davis, Tre White, and Carey Booth, along with the needs for a scorer after Dante Maddox and AJ Storr go elsewhere. Also, he talks about the hot rumor of an assistant coach returning to Champaign. Finally, a brief rant on Illinois football ahead of Saturday's spring game.

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52:30

Portal Kombat (04/10/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/04/10

Portal season has begun, and Illinois basketball has a lot of work ahead of them. Mike Carpenter reacts to the surprise commitment of Tre White, a sophomore wing from Louisville. He then discusses the biggest names circulating in the rumor mill, from hometown kid Kylan Boswell to AJ Storr, Dante Maddox, and Carey Booth. Over the next few weeks, how will Brad Underwood's roster take shape?

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01:04:25

What a Season! (04/03/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/04/03

The 2024 Illinois basketball season is over, and what a memorable season it was. Mike Carpenter reflects on the 29-win team that grabbed a Big Ten Tournament Championship and made it to their first Elite Eight in 19 years. He discusses how this group of players and Brad Underwood injected fun back into the program, while setting it up for success in the years to come.

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01:31:04

From Sweet to Elite (03/29/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/03/29

The Illinois Fighting Illini are Elite Eight Bound! They beat Iowa State 72-69 in a game they never trailed, landing counter-punches to every Cyclones run. Mike Carpenter, Isaac Ambrose, Kenton Elmore, and a crew of Illini fans react to the thrilling second half which included key contributions from Terrence Shannon Jr, Dain Dainja, Luke Goode, and the supporting cast. Next up: top overall seed UConn on Saturday evening!

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01:03:08

How Sweet It Is! (03/25/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/03/25

Illini fans are reveling in their team's first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 19 years ahead of Thursday's marquee matchup against Iowa State. Mike Carpenter discusses Illinois' thrilling run through the month of March, and how this season has provided ultimate validation for Brad Underwood. He opens up the listener mailbag to see how fans are feeling heading into this weekend's games in Boston, and how they think Illinois will fare against the Cyclones and potential Elight Eight opponent.

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01:13:10

Duquesne't Touch This (03/23/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/03/24

Illinois is back in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 19 seasons! Mike Carpenter and Kenton Elmore react during the second half of the Illini's 89-63 rout of Duquesne. Terrence Shannon Jr. scores 30 along with Marcus Domask's 22 points in a game that was never in doubt. Soak it in, Illini fans! It's been way too long, and it feels so damn good.

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01:01:41

Domask It Feels Goode to be a Dainja (03/21/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/03/21

The narrowest of halftime leads turns into an 85-69 Illinois rout of Morehead State. Mike Carpenter, Isaac Ambrose and Kenton Elmore react during the impressive second half. Dain Dainja scores 21 points while Marcus Domask gets an extremely-rare NCAA Tournament triple-double. Meanwhile, Terrence Shannon Jr. adds 26 points. Next up: Duquesne for a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

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01:06:04

Let the Madness Begin! (03/19/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/03/19

It's tournament time! Mike Carpenter reflects on Illinois basketball's thrilling run to a Big Ten Tournament Title before switching gears to March Madness. He discusses this weekend's potential matchups, from the opener against 14-seed Morehead State to a second round tilt against BYU or Duquesne. Taking a dive into the data, Mike explains why he's feeling good about Brad Underwood's Illini making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005.

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56:34

Selection Sunday Special (03/17/24)

The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini... ·

2024/03/17

Illinois grabs a 3 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a first round matchup against Moorehead State. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react to the unveiling of the brackets, which finds the Illini in a tough East region. A potential second round matchup against BYU or Duquense awaits, while UConn and Iowa State hold the 1st and 2nd seeds.

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541 results

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