334 episodes

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

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

    • Sports
    • 4.6 • 162 Ratings

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

    Turn the Page (03/22/23)

    Turn the Page (03/22/23)

    The 200 Level is turning the page on the 2022-23 Illini basketball season, but before we do, we wanted to ask our listeners: what word best describes this season? Mike Carpenter reads through the responses, reacts to the coaching carousel rumor mill, and basks in the glow of spring football returning to Champaign.

    • 44 min
    Post Mortem (03/18/23)

    Post Mortem (03/18/23)

    The offseason has begun for Illini basketball, and Mike Carpenter reflects on the season and looks ahead to next year. He discusses the highs and lows of 2022-23, the curious case of Matthew Mayer, the core players next year's team could be built from, and how Brad Underwood faces a huge offseason. What is Illinois basketball's identity under him, and how will he shape the program accordingly?

    • 47 min
    Razor Burned (03/16/23)

    Razor Burned (03/16/23)

    Illinois falls to Arkansas in 73-63 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Mike Carpenter reacts during a frustrating 2nd half, which saw a few mini-runs keyed by RJ Melendez and Terrence Shannon, but also saw sloppy play from Hawkins and a benching of Matthew Mayer. For a team that regressed as the season went on, it was an all-too-fitting end.

    • 1 hr 9 min
    Selection Sunday Spectacular! (03/12/23)

    Selection Sunday Spectacular! (03/12/23)

    Brad Underwood's Illini are set to take on Eric Musselman's Arkansas Razorbacks in Des Moines on Thursday. Mike Carpenter reacts as the brackets are unveiled, landing Illinois one win away from Bill Self's Kansas Jayhawks. Elsewhere, Purdue captures a one seed, while Rutgers finds themselves on the outside looking in (to the shock of many). 

    • 43 min
    Third Time’s a Charm? (03/06/23)

    Third Time’s a Charm? (03/06/23)

    The regular season ends with an up-and-down performance at Purdue, and now Brad Underwood's Illini ready themselves for the postseason. Mike Carpenter looks ahead to Thursday night's matchup against Penn State, and how Illinois can avenge two double-digit losses earlier this year. Do the Illini have a chance on their side of the bracket to make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament?

    • 53 min
    Muck Fichigan (03/02/23)

    Muck Fichigan (03/02/23)

    It took double overtime, but an energized Illini outlasted Juwan Howard's Michigan Wolverines 91-87. Mike Carpenter reacts during the heart-pounding second half and overtimes, which saw runs by both teams and some awful officiating. And yet, when the dust settled, the more deserving team came away with the win. Oh, and Muck Fichigan and Hunter Dickinson, who will finish his career winless against Illinois.

    • 1 hr 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
162 Ratings

162 Ratings

TyM- ,

Fun Pod

Mike speaks like a true Illini fan. Love listening to his pod on the way to and from work. Knowledgeable, well spoken and keeps it real. Keep doing what you do!

ILLinFLA ,

Carp

Mike is great. A real Illini fan with emotions who does a fantastic job of explaining what happened in a basketball or football game from a fans perspective. Download

tpain206 ,

Spoiled with content

With 247, Rivals, and now a 2.5 hour podcast, we Illini fans are spoiled with great content. If you’re looking for orange and blue diamond emojis and sunshine, this isn’t the show for you. Carp calls it as he sees it and isn’t afraid to call people out, while at the same time letting his Fanboy tendencies out when appropriate. Some people can’t handle this. But for me and many others, he is
the voice of the realistic, but passionate Illini fan. Love the show.. can’t wait for Hoops season.

See you in 244, Carp!

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