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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

46:14

Closing Time (04/07/26)

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

2026/04/08

Illinois basketball's postseason run comes to an end at the hands of UConn. Mike Carpenter discusses Saturday's game, the trip to the Final Four, and what this success in March means for the fanbase and the program itself going forward.

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58:58

Fanboy Carp Eats a Hat (04/01/26)

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

2026/04/01

Illinois basketball is back in the Final Four, and it's hat eatin' time for Mike Carpenter. Ahead of Saturday's matchup against UConn, he reflects on the 2025-26 season, the many highlights, the February dip, and the dominant tourney run.

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79:51

Final Four! (03/29/26)

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

2026/03/29

For the first time in 21 years, Illinois basketball is heading to the Final Four! Brad Underwood's Illini punched their ticket with a 71-59 win over Iowa, spurred on by a stellar defensive effort and dominance on the boards. Keaton Wagler scored a game-high 25 points, outdueling the Hawkeyes' Bennett Stirtz. Andrej Stojakovic continued his red-hot tourney with 17, while Tomislav Ivisic added 13. Next up: FINAL FOUR IN INDY!

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63:08

Houston, We Are a Problem (03/27/26)

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

2026/03/27

Illinois advances to the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons, bullying the hometown Houston Cougars in a 65-55 win. David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler each nabbed double-doubles, while every player had their moments in a total team effort. Most importantly, Brad Underwood's team not only matched, but surpassed the toughness of Kelvin Sampson's Cougars. Next up: Iowa (yes, IOWA!) for a trip to the Final Four in Indy.

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61:04

Sweet Carolina (03/22/26)

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

2026/03/22

Illinois advances to the Sweet Sixteen with a dominant 76-55 win over VCU. Andrej Stojakovic led the way with 21 points off the bench, while Tomislav Ivisic and Keaton Wagler added 14 apiece. Brad Underwood's team played stifling defense, limiting the Rams to 35% from the field and outrebounding them 45-29. Next up: Houston in Houston on Thursday night.

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55:44

Mirk Nowitzki (03/20/26)

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

2026/03/20

#3 Illinois gets right with a dominant 105-70 win over #14 Penn in the first round at Greenville, SC. Mike Carpenter reacts to the record-setting performance by David Mirkovic, setting the Illini freshman record for points (29) and overall record for rebounds (17) in a tournament game. Keaton Wagler looked himself again, while Kylan Boswell stifled TJ Power. Up next: #11 VCU on Saturday night.

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55:30

Sweet 16 or Bust (03/16/26)

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

2026/03/16

The Selection Committee places Illinois as the #3 seed in the South Region, kicking things off Thursday against #14 seed Penn in Greenville, SC. Mike Carpenter discusses the opening weekend draw, one that includes a Caleb Wilson-less #6 UNC and a pesky #11 VCU. Tip-off against Fran McCaffery's Penn Quakers is Thursday, 8:25pm CT.

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77:05

Illinois vs. Wisconsin Postgame (03/13/26)

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

2026/03/13

It's like deja vu all over again as the Illini lose in overtime to Wisconsin 91-88. Mike Carpenter reacts after the game, a frustrating affair in which Illinois held 15 point leads in each half, only for each to evaporate thanks to Nick Boyd and John Blackwell's 69 combined points. The discussion with live stream viewers centered around Brad Underwood, and how his performance in March continues to leave many fans wanting more.

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56:24

The Postseason Cometh (03/09/26)

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

2026/03/09

Illinois outlasts a pesky Maryland team with a 78-72 win, their 24th of the year. Mike Carpenter discusses the struggles against the Terps as an Illini team dealing with the flu bug and wear and tear found a way to win. He looks ahead to this weekend's Big Ten Tournament, and what (if anything) Brad Underwood's team needs to do to lock in a 2-seed.

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52:51

Duck and Covered (03/04/26)

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

2026/03/04

Illinois basketball gets off the schneid with an 80-54 win over the lowly Oregon Ducks. Mike Carpenter reacts to the improved play from Brad Underwood's team, spurred on by a bounce back 21-point game from Andrej Stojakovic and another 19 from David Mirkovic. Next up: the regular season finale at Maryland.

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71:52

The Champs Were Here (02/28/26)

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

2026/02/28

Michigan clinches the outright Big Ten Title at the State Farm Center with an 84-70 win over Illinois. Mike Carpenter reacts to the disappointing loss, one in which the Wolverines proved their national title bona fides while the Illini enter March with some questions. Boswell, Wagler, and Mirkovic were strong, but the rest of the roster struggled mightily. Up next: Oregon on Tuesday.

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51:25

Top Ten Showdown (02/25/26)

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

2026/02/25

#3 Michigan rolls into Champaign for a top ten showdown against Illinois at the State Farm Center. Mike Carpenter discusses the matchup, the fallout of the collapse at UCLA, and what a win against Dusty May's Wolverines would mean for Brad Underwood's Illini.

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55:40

Illinois vs. UCLA Postgame Reaction (02/21/26)

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

2026/02/22

Despite holding a 23-point lead in the first half, Illinois basketball falls in OT for the third time this season. On this night, it was a Tyus Edney-esque game-winner from Donovan Dent, giving UCLA the 95-94 win. Mike Carpenter reacts immediately after the loss and questions the in-game coaching of Brad Underwood. Despite growing Illini basketball into a top-15 caliber program, is his ability to adjust on the fly good enough to win in March?

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56:13

This Battle Station is Fully Operational (02/19/26)

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

2026/02/20

A fully healthy Illinois begins their west coast swing with a 101-65 rout at USC. Mike Carpenter reacts to the display of offensive firepower, keyed on by Andrej Stojakovic's 22 points in his return from injury. Seven players scored in double-figures in a balanced effort. Up next: at UCLA on Saturday night.

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51:21

Illinois vs. Indiana LIVE 2nd Half Reaction (02/15/26)

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

2026/02/15

With Kylan Boswell back in the fold, Illinois basketball bounces back in a big way with a 71-51 win over Indiana. Mike Carpenter reacts during an impressive second half, in which the Illini - led by David Mirkovic's 25 points, Keaton Wagler's 18, and Tomislav Ivisic's 14. Next up: Brad Underwood's team heads out west to face USC and UCLA.

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0:00

Bruised & Badgered (02/11/26)

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

2026/02/11

Illinois basketball loses their second straight in overtime, a 92-90 defeat to Wisconsin at the State Farm Center. Mike Carpenter reacts to the sloppy, slow-footed performance, fatigue setting in as Andrej Stojakovic misses a night with a bum ankle. With the Big Ten title hopes in jeopardy, March becomes the singular focus for Brad Underwood's team.

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40:07

The Streak Izzover (02/08/26)

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

2026/02/08

#5 Illinois falls at #10 Michigan State 85-82 in overtime. Mike Carpenter discusses the loss, the team's first since December 13, and the positives to take away despite the outcome. While Keaton Wagler struggled mightily from the field, David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic picked up the offensive slack. Unfortunately, there was no answer for Jeremy Fears, who dropped 26 points and 15 assists. Next up: Wisconsin on Tuesday.

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50:46

Krushing It (02/05/26)

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

2026/02/06

It's getting real, folks. Illinois basketball looks like not only a contender in the Big Ten, but on the national stage as well. Their 84-44 win over Northwestern in front of a raucous State Farm Center crowd featured a team clicking on all cylinders. Mike Carpenter discusses the 12-game streak, elite offense, improved defense, and why the time to dream big is now.

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61:06

Husker Woo! (02/01/26)

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

2026/02/02

Illinois basketball grabs their second straight top-five road win, this time a 78-69 triumph at Nebraska. Mike Carpenter reacts after the game, one in which Brad Underwood's team extracted revenge for their home loss in December. Keaton Wagler led the way with 28 points, while David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, and Tomislav Ivisic each scored in double figures.

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48:18

Oh Henry! (02/01/26)

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

2026/02/01

Aaron Henry's three-year tenure as Illinois' defensive coordinator comes to an end, as he accepts a new position at Notre Dame. Mike Carpenter reacts during an emergency pod and discusses why the move had to happen, and what it says about Bret Bielema and his expectations for Illini football.

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541 results

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