x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

01:05:02

Citrus Bowl Reflections (01/07/25)

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

2025/01/07

The 2024 Illinois Football season was one of the most memorable in program history, a 10-3 campaign capped off with a thrilling Citrus Bowl win over South Carolina. Mike Carpenter reflects on Bret Bielema's fourth year at the helm, and how the successes of this team fundamentally changed the perception of program. He discusses the signature moments of the year, and how the high expectations should be going into the 2025 season.

en

01:06:19

Defeat-less in Seattle (01/05/25)

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

2025/01/05

By the skin of their teeth, Illinois basketball holds on for an 81-77 win at Washington. Mike Carpenter reacts (sometimes angrily) during a tense second half, which saw a double-digit Illini lead evaporate. But, clutch plays from the backcourt trio of Kasparas Jakucionis, Kylan Boswell, and Tre White help save the day. With the victory, Brad Underwood's team finishes their lone west coast trip with a perfect 2-0 record. Next up: Wednesday night vs. Penn State.

en

58:36

Duck Season (01/03/25)

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

2025/01/03

Illinois basketball makes history with a 109-77 win over #9 Oregon in Eugene. Mike Carpenter discusses the dominant performance, one of (if not the) best of the Brad Underwood era. The 32-point margin is the largest of any road opponent against an AP top ten team ever. Jake Davis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn combined for 23 first half points to spur on the Illini, while Kasparas Jakucionis, Kylan Boswell, Tre White, and Ben Humrichous (no, seriously!) keyed on a 64-point second half outburst. Next up: at

en

01:00:15

Citrus Bowl Champs! (12/31/24)

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

2025/01/01

Illinois football pulls off the upset against South Carolina with a thrilling 21-17 victory, notching the program's fifth-ever 10-win season. Mike Carpenter reacts from his hotel in Orlando after attending the game, an intense evening with some fireworks between Bret Bielema and Shane Beamer. A solid defensive game plan, effective offense, and yet another 4th quarter comeback propel the Illini to their biggest win yet in a 2024 season chock full of them.

en

01:23:25

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

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

2024/12/31

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.

en

01:00:05

A Very Kasparas Kristmas (12/23/24)

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

2024/12/23

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.

en

55:06

Cool Hand Luke (12/18/24)

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

2024/12/18

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.

en

59:11

Pain & Gainey (12/15/24)

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

2024/12/15

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

en

01:16:26

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

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

2024/12/11

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.

en

01:09:27

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

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

2024/12/07

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.

en

01:02:49

Reflections on the 2024 Illini Football Season...

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

2024/12/03

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

en

51:31

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

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

2024/11/30

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.

en

51:26

Hog Heaven (11/28/24)

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

2024/11/29

Illinois basketball notches their first quality win of the season with a 90-77 victory over #19 Arkansas. On this Thanksgiving Day, Mike Carpenter is feeling grateful for the current state of Brad Underwood's program, and they took full advantage of a nationally televised opportunity in Kansas City. Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic, and Kylan Boswell led the way as the Illini maintained a double-digit advantage throughout almost the entire game. Next up: at Northwestern on Friday, December

en

01:08:00

The Miracle in Piscataway (11/24/24)

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

2024/11/24

Illinois football is 8-3 after a miraculous Pat Bryant touchdown with four seconds left, lifting them to a 38-31 victory at Rutgers. Mike Carpenter discusses the importance of the win, as it helps Bielema's program avoid another "November Swoon" and all but punches their ticket to the Citrus Bowl. There are concerns, from the overall team sloppiness to a poor effort from Aaron Henry's defense. But, it's always better to talk about issues after a win, let alone one as memorable as this one from

en

53:51

Tide Rolled (11/20/24)

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

2024/11/21

Sloppy play on both sides of the ball dooms Illinois against red-hot Alabama in a 100-87 loss in Birmingham. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half as the Illini twice get it within eight, only to see the Tide respond each time. Will Riley dropped 18 points, Kylan Boswell another 17, and Kasparas Jakucionis another 15. But, it wasn't enough as Brad Underwood's team didn't have enough to counter Nate Oats' 8th ranked Crimson Tide.

en

57:40

We're Back, Baby! (11/17/24)

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

2024/11/17

Illinois football improves to 7-3 on the season with a 38-16 win over Michigan State. Mike Carpenter discusses the importance of the bounce-back victory, not just for the team but for a nervous fan base. He also reflects on how Bielema has raised the floor of the program in his four seasons and seemingly put Illinois on a sustainable path forward. Next up: at Rutgers on Saturday.

en

52:21

Bye Week Babble (11/07/24)

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

2024/11/07

Illinois football is 6-3 during their second bye week, yet a bit of momentum feels lost after two straight losses. Mike Carpenter hits the reset button and looks ahead to the last three games of the year, and discusses where Bret Bielema's team stands entering the home stretch. Later, he opens the listener mailbag and reads how fans are feeling ahead of the Michigan State, Rutgers, and Northwestern games.

en

51:56

Oh, Oh, Oh, Will Riley! (11/05/24)

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

2024/11/05

Illinois basketball starts off the 2024-25 season with a 112-67 blowout win over Eastern Illinois. Mike Carpenter discusses the debut of many new faces, including 5-star freshman Will Riley's record-setting 31-point performance, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn's 21 off the bench, and Tomislav Ivisic and Kasparas Jakucionis' impressive debuts. Meanwhile, Ty Rodgers will redshirt this season, surprising news that broke just before tip-off.

en

59:32

Au Revoir, Gopher (10/29/24)

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

2024/10/29

Humbled after a blowout loss at Oregon, Illinois football returns home to face PJ Fleck's Minnesota team. Mike Carpenter discusses the takeaways from Saturday's loss (including a few positives), and what it means for Bret Bielema's team as they enter a winnable home stretch of the season. Later, he opens up the listener mailbag to see how fans think the team will fare in their final four games.

en

44:10

Duck Hunt (10/23/24)

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

2024/10/23

Fresh off a memorable home win against Michigan, #20 Illinois hits the road to take on top-ranked Oregon. Mike Carpenter discusses the tall task ahead of Bret Bielema's squad, currently 21.5-point underdogs, as they head to the West Coast. He also talks about how the 6-1 start eases the nerves heading into the marquee matchup, and opens the listener mailbag to see how other fans think Illinois will fare.

en

510 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN