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

Illinois revenue sports have invaded the city of Nashville! Mike Carpenter discusses #14 Illini basketball's huge 75-62 win over #13 Tennessee, in which Brad Underwood's team turned in their best performance of the year (at least in the second half) Tomislav Ivisic and Keaton Wagler led the way, while Big Z hit two crucial late 3's to help seal the win. Meanwhile, Bret Bielema's squad gets an invite to the Music City Bowl on December 30 to face (who else!) Tennessee.

Illinois football inks the #21 recruiting class in the nation on a successful Signing Day. Mike Carpenter reacts to Bielema's best haul yet, coming on the heels of an 8-4 season and quality bowl game. He also discusses the coaching carousel in college football, and where Illini basketball stands entering Saturday's non-conference showdown with Tennessee.

On a snowy night in Champaign, Illinois hangs on to the Hat with a 20-13 win over Northwestern. Mike Carpenter recaps an all-timer of an evening at Memorial Stadium, where Miles Scott and the Illini defense ended the year on a high note to the tune of four takeaways. While the offense sputtered, they managed just enough to get the win, including two field goals from David Olano on the windy, frozen tundra. Next up: Nashville?

Illinois basketball struggled offensively in a 74-61 loss to UConn at Madison Square Garden. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half as Kylan Boswell balled out, but the rest of the team struggled to score, especially from three-point range (6/29 as a team). With comments from viewers of the stream, a conversation was had about the state of the program under Brad Underwood, and what expectations are going forward. Next up: Tennessee in Nashville on Saturday, December 6.

Illinois football suffers a humiliating 27-10 loss to Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. Mike Carpenter discusses what went wrong during the sloppy, lifeless performance, and what must happen in the offseason for the Illini program to take another step under Bret Bielema. Next up: that pesky Northwestern team.

A messy second half performance finds the Illini on the wrong side of a 90-86 game against Alabama. Mike Carpenter reacts during the last twenty minutes of game time as the Crimson Tide hit a few too many timely shots, while Illinois struggles to find offensive consistency. Now 1-1 against ranked teams, Brad Underwood's squad has three more marquee non-conference games left: UConn at Madison Square Garden, Tennessee in Nashville, and Missouri in St. Louis.

Illinois football improves to 7-3 with a 24-6 win over Maryland. Mike Carpenter discusses the business-like win spurred on by an inspired defensive performance. No, it wasn't pretty (nor particularly memorable), but this victory gives Bret Bielema the most wins of any Illini coach through their first five seasons. Next up: a trip up to his old stomping grounds in Wisconsin.

Despite JT Toppin's 35 points and an absolutely atrocious flagrant foul call late in the game, a gritty Illinois team finds their way to a huge 81-77 win over Texas Tech. Mike Carpenter reacts happily . . . then angrily . . . then both! . . . during an up-and-down second half. Star turns by Andrej Stojakovic (23 points) and Kylan Boswell (22 points) led the way, while Keaton Wagler looked less like a freshman and more like a seasoned veteran. The Illini get their first non-conference home ranked win since 2011, and a victory that will help them out big time come Selection Sunday.

Illinois basketball scored another emphatic win, this time 113-70 over Florida Gulf Coast. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half as the Illini offense steals the show. Kylan Boswell (31 points, 10 rebounds) and David Mirkovic (17 points, 11 rebounds) each nab double-doubles, while Keaton Wagler drops 22. While Tomislav Ivisic was out for the night, his brother Zvonimir nearly had a triple-double (16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks). Next up: a huge matchup against Texas Tech at the State Farm Center.

Illinois basketball kicked off their season in style with a 113-55 win over Jackson State. Mike Carpenter reacts to the undermanned-Illini's dominant debut, featuring a formidable frontcourt duo in Tomislav Ivisic and David Mirkovic, the steady veteran leadership of Kylan Boswell and Jake Davis, and big offensive performances from Ben Humrichous and Keaton Wagler. Next up: Friday night vs. FGCU.

Illinois football bounces back with a dominating 35-13 win over Rutgers. Mike Carpenter discusses the program's third bowl season in four years, an impressive bounce-back by the defense, and the continued excellence of Luke Altmyer. Next up: a bye week to rest up before Maryland comes into town.

After an embarrassing defensive effort at Washington, Illinois football looks to pick up the pieces against Rutgers. Mike Carpenter discusses the fallout of Saturday's loss, including Bret Bielema's quotes on how much he'll be involved with Aaron Henry's gameplan. Can the Illini bounce back with a Dad's Day victory heading into the second bye week?

Illinois football loses 42-25 to Washington in a game featuring yet another terrible performance from Aaron Henry's defense. Mike Carpenter reacts during the fourth quarter (just after the D gave up a 3rd and 18 - yes, a 3rd and 18) and watched as the Huskies sliced and diced their way down the rain-soaked field with ease. Now 5-3, Bret Bielema's team has to quickly regroup as Rutgers heads into town, while questions about the viability of Henry as defensive coordinator will only get louder.

After a bye week, #23 Illinois heads out west to face Washington. Mike Carpenter discusses the ramifications a win (or loss) would have on Illini football for the rest of the season, and if Luke Altmyer and the offense can outduel the Ryan Walters-led Husky defense.

Illinois basketball kicks things off with an exhibition game against Illinois State. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half as an injury-depleted Illini show off some new toys (David Mirkovic, Big Z, Keaton Wagler, Brandon Lee) and play at the State Farm Center for the first time in the 2025-26 season.

Illinois football can't quite meet the moment, falling 34-16 to #1 Ohio State. Mike Carpenter discusses the frustrating miscues and mistakes, the impressiveness of Ryan Day's Buckeyes, and even some positives to glean from Bret Bielema's team's performance. Next up: a much-needed bye week ahead of a trip to Washington.

Illinois football is faced with a rare opportunity on Saturday: the chance to take down #1 Ohio State in front of a sold-out, orange-clad crowd at Memorial Stadium. Mike Carpenter discusses how Bret Bielema's program-building efforts have led to this moment, one that could be THE signature game in Illini football history.

Illinois football improves to 5-1 after a 43-27 win at Purdue. Luke Altmyer's career-high 390 yards helped lead the way to victory, aided by a monster performance from Hank Beatty and the surefooted David Olano. Mike Carpenter discusses the high-octane offense, shaky defense, and Bret Bielema's 3rd 5-1 start as the Illini head coach. Next up: #1 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium.

After a dramatic Homecoming win vs. USC, Illinois football takes the short trip to West Lafayette to face Purdue. Mike Carpenter discusses the Battle for the Cannon, a particularly rough rivalry in recent years for the Illini. Can Bret Bielema and his team take care of business with minimal fuss, or will this matchup continue to be the bane of Illinois fans' existence?

Illinois football bounces back in a big way with a thrilling 34-32 win over USC. Mike Carpenter discusses the five-star day at Memorial Stadium, where a sellout crowd watched Bret Bielema's team respond just a week removed from the worst loss of his tenure. Luke Altmyer led the Illini down the field, setting up David Olano's 41-yard game winner as time expired.