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

Mike Carpenter
  • 4.6 (183)
  • BASKETBALL
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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

  1. 1D AGO

    The Streak Izzover (02/08/26)

    #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.

    40 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Krushing It (02/05/26)

    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.

    51 min

  3. FEB 2

    Husker Woo! (02/01/26)

    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.

    1h 1m

  4. FEB 1

    Oh Henry! (02/01/26)

    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.

    48 min

  5. JAN 30

    Illinois vs. Washington LIVE 2nd Half Reaction (01/29/26)

    #9 Illinois wins their tenth-straight game with a 75-66 victory over a pesky Washington team. Fresh out of eye surgery, Mike Carpenter tries to suppress his annoyance at facing an opposing coach named Danny Sprinkle and a visiting team with "DAWGS" on the chest of their jersey. Fortunately, Keaton Wagler dropped 22, David Mirkovic added 19, and Ben Humrichous had himself a "podium game" with 14 off the bench. Next up: at #5 Nebraska on Sunday afternoon.

    57 min

  6. JAN 24

    Keaton F'ing Wagler (01/24/26)

    #11 Illinois grabs a huge road win at #4 Purdue 88-82 thanks to an all-timer from Keaton Wagler, whose 46 points set the freshman program record. Mike Carpenter reacts after the victory, one in which clutch threes by Tomislav Ivisic, David Mirkovic, and Jake Davis helped seal the deal. He also discusses Brad Underwood's 100th conference win, and the job he's done as the head coach of Illini basketball.

    56 min

  7. JAN 22

    Illinois vs. Maryland LIVE 2nd Half Reaction (01/21/26)

    #11 Illinois passes their first test without Kylan Boswell, throttling the lowly Maryland Terrapins 89-70. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half as the Illini put on an impressive display from deep, dropping 15 threes including four each from Jake Davis and Andrej Stojakovic, the star of the show who scored 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Up next: a far tougher test on the road at Mackey Arena, as Purdue returns home following a loss at UCLA.

    59 min

  8. JAN 18

    Just Keep Winning (01/18/26)

    Illinois basketball wins their seventh straight, withstanding a feisty Minnesota team in a 77-67 victory on Saturday at State Farm Center. Mike Carpenter recaps the game, along with the last month-plus of improved play from Brad Underwood's team. Since the Nebraska loss, how have the Illini been able to shore up their defense while continuing to have one of the best offenses in the country?

    1h 1m
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4.6
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183 Ratings

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

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