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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

45:44

It Was a Good Day (10/25/21)

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

2021/10/25

Mike Carpenter recaps a Saturday for the books, as Illinois football pulled off an upset at #7 Penn State and the basketball team welcomed fans back to the State Farm Center. He discusses the importance of Bielema's team getting a signature win in his first year, along with the possibility of making a bowl game. Also, the basketball team impresses with their depth, length and athleticism.

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32:36

Extremely Happy Valley (10/23/21)

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

2021/10/23

Illinois football upsets #7 Penn State in nine overtimes, 20-18. Not only was it the longest college football game ever played, but also Bret Bielema's 100th win . . . and a statement win at that. Mike Carpenter discusses the gritty resiliency of the Illini, Ryan Walters' dominant D, Tony Petersen's best game yet, and a team that rallied during a week full of adversity.

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45:47

Much Ado About Nothing (10/20/21)

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

2021/10/21

Mike Carpenter reacts to Bret Bielema's press conference heard 'round the Midwest, and the puzzling amount of outrage it elicited. Later, he discusses the sad news of Adam Miller's season-ending injury, and some sports figures' (like Kyrie Irving and former WSU coach Nick Rolovich) confusing views on vaccine mandates.

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41:20

It‘s Basketball Season! (10/18//21)

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

2021/10/18

Mike Carpenter is all-too-ready to turn the page from football to basketball. He discusses Illinois' Kenpom and AP rankings, and how Brad Underwood's squad stacks up to other elite Big Ten opponents. Later, he parses through Bret Bielema's damning words about roster depth, and why this means yet another extended rebuild for Illini football.

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47:41

Just Plain Bad . . . ger (10/11/21)

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

2021/10/12

Illini football is reeling after a 24-0 homecoming rout against Wisconsin. Mike Carpenter is peeved at the ineptitude, especially another paltry offensive performance. He cheers up with some basketball talk, and comments on Hunter Dickinson's claim of "annoying" Illinois fans.

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38:36

Revenge of the Berts (10/06/21)

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

2021/10/06

Bret Bielema's Illini are presented with a big opportunity against his old team. Mike Carpenter discusses what it will take to beat Wisconsin, and what a win like that would do for the program and fan base. Also, a quick bit of uniform talk (goodbye, Grey Ghosts) and a look at some dates and times for Illinois basketball.

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50:32

Bring On Bucky (10/03/21)

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

2021/10/03

Illinois football gets off the schneid with a 24-14 win over Charlotte, setting up an intriguing Homecoming matchup against Bret Bielema's former team. Mike Carpenter reacts to the good (defense, running game) and bad (QB play), and what it would take to pull off another upset against Wisconsin. Also, he discusses Illini basketball media day and why this team will meet its sky-high expectations.

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47:30

Bielem-ugh (09/25/21)

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

2021/09/26

For the second week in a row, questionable coaching decisions and poor QB play lead to a heartbreaking Illini loss. Mike Carpenter reacts to Illinois' 13-9 defeat at Purdue with a critical eye on the head coach and offensive coordinator, as the team found a way (yet again) to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

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46:59

Terp Derp (09/20/21)

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

2021/09/21

Friday night's loss to the Maryland Terrapins stings even worse after the dust has settled, and Mike Carpenter analyzes the micro and macro from Illinois' third straight loss. He discusses the 4th and 1, the worst offensive series of downs ever, Brandon Peters, Tony Petersen, and Bret Bielema.

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36:08

‘27 Year Itch (09/16/21)

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

2021/09/17

Brad Underwood gets a contract extension as the Illini basketball coach through 2027. Mike Carpenter reacts to the good news and reflects on the remarkable four-year rebuild, and why Underwood is worthy of a top-10 salary. Also, a bit on Friday night's football game and whether or not Illinois has a chance against Maryland.

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01:07:36

Virgini-ugh (09/11/21)

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

2021/09/11

Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose return for a second half live reaction pod, only to watch Illinois football stink up the joint and lose 42-14 at Virginia. Stagnant offense, bad defense, and a parade of silly mistakes led to an even worse performance than the UTSA loss.

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45:26

Let‘s Talk Hoops! (09/08/21)

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

2021/09/09

The Illinois basketball schedule dropped on Wednesday, so let's take a break from regularly scheduled football talk and look ahead to the hoops season! Mike Carpenter does a quick once-over of the schedule, talks about expectations for this year's team, and why they may come out of the gate better than last year's squad. Also, a bit on Illinois football ahead of Saturday's game at Virginia.

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47:35

Remember the Ala-D‘oh! (09/05/21)

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

2021/09/06

It was a trap after all. The Illini dropped their second game of the season to UTSA in front of 33,000 fans, effectively ending the honeymoon period for Bret Bielema's tenure. Mike Carpenter discusses why he wasn't surprised or particularly angry, and his concerns about the rest of the season and what it will take for Illinois fans to get invested again.

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45:07

It‘s a Trap! (09/01/21)

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

2021/09/02

Bret Bielema's Illini look to put the Nebraska win in the rearview mirror ahead of a Saturday night tilt against UTSA. Mike Carpenter ponders if it's really a "trap" game, discusses a possible QB controversy with Sitkowski and Peters, and struggles to find any major missteps in Bielema's first 9 months on the job.

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49:00

A Star is Corn (08/29/21)

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

2021/08/29

The Bret Bielema Era kicks off in style as the Illini beat Nebraska 30-22. Mike Carpenter recaps the impressive performance, including a star turn by Art Sitkowski at QB, and how important a season-opening win can be for the fans, students, recruits, and the team itself. Perhaps Illinois football is on the path to consistent competence.

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44:10

The Final Countdown (08/25/21)

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

2021/08/26

We are days away from kickoff, and Mike Carpenter is ready for a triumphant start to the Bret Bielema era. He discusses how Nebraska has went from relatively lovable to exasperatingly annoying, and the path to victory on Saturday. Also, plenty of uniform talk (new helmets!) and a look back at the 2001 Big Ten Champions returning to campus this weekend.

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55:43

It's Game Week (08/22/21)

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

2021/08/22

At long last, the Bret Bielema era is underway. Mike Carpenter looks ahead to Illini football's season opener against a scandal-ridden Nebraska program, and attempts to make a reasonable prediction for the 2021 season. He also discusses concerns about Brandon Peters at QB, and breaks down the depth chart.

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37:48

He's Baaack! (07/16/21)

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

2021/07/16

Kofi Cockburn is coming back to Illinois for his junior season, capping off a roller coaster of an offseason for Brad Underwood's program. Mike Carpenter reacts to the huge news, lofty expectations for the 2022 team, and how this bodes well for future recruiting in the NIL era.

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43:52

Chet Airliner (05/06/21)

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

2021/05/06

Chester Frazier returns to Illini basketball as an assistant coach, while Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman head to Kentucky. Mike Carpenter reacts to the arrival and departures, reflects on the Adam Miller saga, and discusses Isaiah Williams move to wide receiver.

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41:37

Is Orlando Anti-gone? (04/27/21)

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

2021/04/27

Illinois basketball fans wait with bated breath for Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman's next move. Mike Carpenter discusses the immediate concerns if they leave, but finds silver linings in Josh Whitman's aggressive counter-offer and possible replacements.

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542 results

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