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

Transfer portal season is fully underway, and Brad Underwood has already bolstered the 2024-25 Illini basketball roster. Mike Carpenter discusses the additions of Kylan Boswell, Jake Davis, Tre White, and Carey Booth, along with the needs for a scorer after Dante Maddox and AJ Storr go elsewhere. Also, he talks about the hot rumor of an assistant coach returning to Champaign. Finally, a brief rant on Illinois football ahead of Saturday's spring game.

Portal season has begun, and Illinois basketball has a lot of work ahead of them. Mike Carpenter reacts to the surprise commitment of Tre White, a sophomore wing from Louisville. He then discusses the biggest names circulating in the rumor mill, from hometown kid Kylan Boswell to AJ Storr, Dante Maddox, and Carey Booth. Over the next few weeks, how will Brad Underwood's roster take shape?

The 2024 Illinois basketball season is over, and what a memorable season it was. Mike Carpenter reflects on the 29-win team that grabbed a Big Ten Tournament Championship and made it to their first Elite Eight in 19 years. He discusses how this group of players and Brad Underwood injected fun back into the program, while setting it up for success in the years to come.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are Elite Eight Bound! They beat Iowa State 72-69 in a game they never trailed, landing counter-punches to every Cyclones run. Mike Carpenter, Isaac Ambrose, Kenton Elmore, and a crew of Illini fans react to the thrilling second half which included key contributions from Terrence Shannon Jr, Dain Dainja, Luke Goode, and the supporting cast. Next up: top overall seed UConn on Saturday evening!

Illini fans are reveling in their team's first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 19 years ahead of Thursday's marquee matchup against Iowa State. Mike Carpenter discusses Illinois' thrilling run through the month of March, and how this season has provided ultimate validation for Brad Underwood. He opens up the listener mailbag to see how fans are feeling heading into this weekend's games in Boston, and how they think Illinois will fare against the Cyclones and potential Elight Eight opponent.

Illinois is back in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 19 seasons! Mike Carpenter and Kenton Elmore react during the second half of the Illini's 89-63 rout of Duquesne. Terrence Shannon Jr. scores 30 along with Marcus Domask's 22 points in a game that was never in doubt. Soak it in, Illini fans! It's been way too long, and it feels so damn good.

The narrowest of halftime leads turns into an 85-69 Illinois rout of Morehead State. Mike Carpenter, Isaac Ambrose and Kenton Elmore react during the impressive second half. Dain Dainja scores 21 points while Marcus Domask gets an extremely-rare NCAA Tournament triple-double. Meanwhile, Terrence Shannon Jr. adds 26 points. Next up: Duquesne for a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

It's tournament time! Mike Carpenter reflects on Illinois basketball's thrilling run to a Big Ten Tournament Title before switching gears to March Madness. He discusses this weekend's potential matchups, from the opener against 14-seed Morehead State to a second round tilt against BYU or Duquesne. Taking a dive into the data, Mike explains why he's feeling good about Brad Underwood's Illini making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005.

Illinois grabs a 3 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a first round matchup against Moorehead State. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react to the unveiling of the brackets, which finds the Illini in a tough East region. A potential second round matchup against BYU or Duquense awaits, while UConn and Iowa State hold the 1st and 2nd seeds.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are Big Ten Tournament Champs! They get a 93-87 win over the Wisconsin Badgers, earning their second BTT banner in four years. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react during a thrilling 2nd half. Terrence Shannon Jr's 34 and Marcus Domask's 26 lead the way, as Brad Underwood's squad plays a complete game against a red-hot Wisconsin team. Next up: the NCAA Tournament!

Illinois turns a 15-point 2nd half deficit into a 98-87 win over Nebraska, securing their place in the Big Ten Tournament Final. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose start off a bit despondent, but thanks to Terrence Shannon Jr.'s 40-point performance and an inspired half from the supporting cast, the Illini mount one of their most impressive halves in some time. Next up: Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon.

With the help of Dain Dainja's 18 point, 8 rebound performance and Terrence Shannon Jr.'s 28 points, Illinois survives and advances to the Big Ten Semifinal with a 77-74 win over Ohio State. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react during the second half as the Illini fall down by as many as 8. But, with inspired efforts from Dainja, Ty Rodgers, TSJ, and Coleman in the closing stretch help them get a big win and keep the Buckeyes out of the NCAA Tournament.

The regular season is done and the postseason has begun! Mike Carpenter reflects on the 2023-24 season so far, and how this team exceeded preseason expectations and cleansed the palette from last year's disappointments. Also, he discusses Brad Underwood's performance as head coach, and how he has led Illinois basketball into its best stretch in two decades. Finally, a look at the Big Ten Tournament bracket and how the Illini can make it to Sunday's championship.

Illinois finishes the Big Ten season in style at Carver Hawkeye Arena, beating Fran McCaffery's Iowa Hawkeyes 73-61 behind Terrence Shannon Jr.'s 25 points and Quincy Guerrier's first double-double since January. Mike Carpenter reacts as Brad Underwood's team watches a 20-point lead dwindle to 4, only to close the game out strong. Next up: the winner of Iowa-Minnesota on Friday at the Big Ten Tournament.

Purdue was too much for Illinois yet again, pulling off an impressive 77-71 win at State Farm Center. Mike Carpenter reacts to the loss and opens up the listener mailbag to see if fans are more or less encouraged heading into the rest of March. With Iowa, the Big Ten Tournament, and March Madness looming, what are reasonable expectations for Brad Underwood's 7th Illini squad?

Illini basketball becomes the first program to win four games in a row at the Kohl Center, beating Wisconsin 91-83. Mike Carpenter reacts to the huge Quad 1 win, spurred on by Marcus Domask's 31-point performance in his home state. Terrence Shannon Jr. added 23 points, while Coleman Hawkins and Justin Harmon also score in double-digits. Next up: a huge opportunity at home against Purdue.

Illinois beats Minnesota 105-97 in a historic offensive performance from both teams. As the defense continues to flounder but the points keep coming, Mike Carpenter embraces the weirdness that is the 2024 Illini. He discusses the remaining three game stretch in the Big Ten, expectations for a possible run in March, and an offense that is even more efficient than the 2005 Final Four team.

With the help of Coleman Hawkins 30 points, Illinois gets a much-needed bounce-back 95-85 victory against Iowa. Mike Carpenter reacts to the win which included Brad Underwood making a hockey substitution early in the second half. Illinois' defensive intensity improved, and they closed the game out strongly and provided some reasons for optimism. Next up: a pesky Minnesota team comes to the State Farm Center on Wednesday.

Illinois chokes away another late lead in a 90-89 loss at Penn State as the same issues (bad defense, awful inbounds plays, lack of adjustments) come home to roost in brutal fashion. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react as a 7-point lead with 40 seconds to go evaporates thanks to absolute boneheaded decision-making and execution from veteran players. But, they direct their ire at the main culprit: Brad Underwood, who has excelled at the macro aspects of running a program but struggled mightily with in-game strategy.

Illinois bounces back with a 97-68 shellacking of Michigan, as Brad Underwood improves to 8-0 over Juwan Howard. Terrence Shannon Jr. explodes for 31 points, and the Illini team defense shows some signs of life. Mike Carpenter reacts during the second half, while also discussing what this Illinois team needs to do over the next five weeks in order to be tournament ready.