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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

01:19:40

The Game of the Century (10/20/24)

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

2024/10/20

Illinois football celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Memorial Stadium in style, beating 24th-ranked Michigan 21-7 on a perfect Saturday afternoon in Champaign. Mike Carpenter reflects on the momentous win for Bret Bielema's squad, from the Red Grange-inspired throwback uniforms to the electric sold out crowd. He opens up the listener mailbag to discuss what the victory means not just for the football program, but for a loyal fan base longing for sustained success. AVAILABLE NOW! The 200 Level: An

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52:37

Ann Arbor is a What Now? (10/14/24)

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

2024/10/14

It's a big week for Illini football as Michigan comes to town for the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium. Mike Carpenter is chomping at the bit for Saturday and reflects on the journey through the Bret Bielema era to get to this point. He dives into reasons why both teams can come away with a win, but ultimately believes one has a few more advantages than the other.

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55:17

Boiler Ugh! (10/08/24)

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

2024/10/08

Mike Carpenter returns after the bye week to preview Illinois football's matchup against Ryan Walters' struggling Purdue Boilermakers. He opens up the listener mailbag to see how Illini fans think their team will fare over the next four games, and discusses the different paths available for Bret Bielema's team to have a very good-to-great season. AVAILABLE NOW! The 200 Level: An Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball Fan's Journey, by Mike Carpenter Hardcover, paperback, e-book and audiobook available

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01:21:50

Book Release Event w/ Lon Tay . . . and Dee Brown!...

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

2024/10/04

Mike Carpenter welcomes old friend Lon Tay to help celebrate the release of The 200 Level book! They discuss the writing process, the last 30+ years of Illini basketball, and share memories and experiences along the way. Then, they are joined by an unplanned surprise guest - Dee Brown! - who helps to close things out.

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01:36:48

Not-So-Happy Valley (09/28/24)

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

2024/09/29

Illini football suffers their first loss of the season to 8th-ranked Penn State, 21-7. Mike Carpenter and Kenton Elmore react during the second half which saw Bret Bielema's squad hang around into the fourth quarter. Ultimately, too many ill-timed mistakes and Penn State's ability to run the ball doomed Illinois. Next up: lowly Purdue on October 12th after a bye week.

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01:06:26

Fantastic Four . . . and Oh (09/23/24)

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

2024/09/23

Illinois football is 4-0, ranked #19, and has a primetime matchup Saturday at #8 Penn State. Mike Carpenter is still basking in the glow, opening up the listener mailbag to see what excites fans the most following Friday's big road win. He discusses the micro and macro positives, and how Bret Bielema's program is positioning itself for success in 2024 and beyond.

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02:07:01

Every Lunney Wants to Rhule the World (09/20/24)

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

2024/09/21

Illinois football is 4-0 after a massive win at Nebraska! Mike Carpenter and Kenton Elmore react during the second half and overtime as Luke Altmeyer leads the Illini to victory. Bret Bielema's squad gets their second ranked W of the year, will head into Penn State with a top-20 ranking, and now have the nation's attention midway through September.

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50:23

Halfway to a Bowl With Three Quarters to Go (09/17/24)

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

2024/09/17

Illinois football is 3-0 for the first time since 2011, and with it, halfway to bowl eligibility. Best of all? They appear to be just plain old good. Mike Carpenter discusses the team's fast start ahead of a tough pair of road games at Nebraska and Penn State, and opens up the listener mailbag to see how fans are feeling after the first quarter of the season.

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49:29

It's (Already?) Homecoming Week! (09/10/24)

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

2024/09/11

Mike Carpenter is still basking in the glow of the Kansas win ahead of Saturday's Homecoming matchup against Central Michigan. He looks ahead at the rest of the season using Kelley Ford's predictive ratings, and discusses Illini football's chances at a winning season. Then, he opens up the listener mailbag to see if fans' expectations have changed since Saturday night's huge victory.

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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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510 results

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