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

It's been eight years since Illini basketball made the tournament, and Mike Carpenter is ready to tip things off. He's joined by Lon Tay (The Drive on ESPN 93.5, Tay & Carp, Tay & J Show) as they discuss Illinois' chances, what makes this team different than the '05 squad, and what a national title would do for the fanbase. 

24 hours after the Illini clinched the Big Ten Championship and a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, Mike Carpenter reflects on the team's remarkable run. Later, he discusses the stellar performances from Illinois' supporting cast, and why - despite some tough draws - fans should be optimistic for a national title run.

Moments after the Illini wrapped up the Big Ten Tournament Championship, the Selection Show was underway. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during the unveiling of the 68-team field, and discussed which teams in Illinois' bracket pose the biggest challenges to a Final Four appearance.

The Illini got their banner in a thrilling (and at times, excruciating) 91-88 overtime win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament Final. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during the back-and-forth affair in which Illinois somehow, someway got the hard-fought victory against the Buckeyes on Championship Sunday.

The Illini advance to the Big Ten Tournament Finals with a thrilling 82-71 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Kofi ate, Ayo was Ayo, and Curbelo dunked (twice!) as they won their third straight against their heated rival. Mike Carpenter and Trevor Vallese react during an exciting second half.

The Illini make an impressive debut in the Big Ten Tournament with a 90-68 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 23 points, while the supporting cast shined in the blowout. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during a nutty second half.

Mike Carpenter turns the page from Big Ten regular-season title talk to the conference tournament . . .  but not before settling some scores! He discusses Josh Whitman's letter, Kevin Warren's incompetence, and Michigan writers and fan's numbskullery. Finally, he gives his reasons for optimism as Illini basketball heads into the stretch run.

Eight days, three massive wins. Mike Carpenter reflects on the week that was for the Illini, capped off by a 1-seed clincher in Columbus. Later, he catches up with Sean Harrington about this Illinois team heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

Four years into his tenure, Brad Underwood's Illini secure a 1-seed with a monster win at Ohio State. Mike Carpenter and Trevor Vallese react to an up-and-down second half, featuring late-game heroics from a masked Ayo and a superstar turn from Andre Curbelo. (Oh, and Isaac Ambrose pops in for a quick "LET'S GOOOOOO!") 

It's the day after a monumental Illini basketball win, and Mike Carpenter is still struggling to comprehend what just happened. He discusses the impressive performance, Trent Frazier's big moment, Underwood mentioning "national title", and yes - how sweet it is to kick Michigan's butt.

Illinois basketball secured its biggest win of the year (and one of the biggest in program history) with a 76-53 win at #2 Michigan. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during a thrilling second half, and utter these three words for the first time: national title contenders.

Mike Carpenter recaps the big win over Wisconsin, a huge week ahead at Michigan and Ohio State, and how the Illini can secure a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Later, Cory Bradford hops on the podcast to talk about his new t-shirt with Fourth and Kirby, his career at Illinois, and what it's like to watch Frank Williams' kid help lead a top-5 Illini team into March Madness.

Despite a flurry of late game 3's from D'Mitrik Trice, the Illini closed out a gutty win in Wisconsin with ten consecutive made free throws. Mike Carpenter and Isaac Ambrose react during the thrilling victory, as Illinois gets a big road victory without their best player to improve to 14-4 in the Big Ten.

It's the first-ever dual solo/second-half pod in the history of The 200 Level! Mike Carpenter kicks things off discussing Ayo's injury, its silver linings, and a feverish Illini fan base spurred on by some questionable sports media types. Then, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during Illinois' impressive win over Nebraska.

It's a tale of two teams, as the Illini put in their worst performance of the year against a hungry Michigan State team. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese, Isaac Ambrose and Andrew Wilson react during a positively stinky second half.

He did it again. Ayo Dosunmu notches his second triple-double in 2 weeks as the Illini smoke Minnesota 94-63. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Issac Ambrose react during an immensely entertaining second half as Brad Underwood's squad makes a statement on national TV.

The 5th-ranked Illini are about to hit the road for awhile, beginning with a tough matchup at Minnesota. Mike Carpenter discusses Ayo's spectacular season, the remaining schedule, and how this team's legacy will be defined by the moments ahead. Also, Carp is excited that Bret Bielema's tenure will begin at Memorial Stadium instead of Dublin.

Bad opponent, close game, late heroics . . . rinse and repeat. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react during an Illini win over Northwestern in which Ayo Dosunmu saved the day late and moved their conference record to 11-3.

After a close call in Nebraska, Illini basketball finds themselves as the top 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Mike Carpenter discusses the near-miss on Friday, if Ayo is having the best individual season in program history, diminishing chances of a Big Ten crown, and a social media spat with Michigan fans.

That . . . was close. Illinois survives in overtime against Nebraska thanks to another Herculean effort by Ayo Dosunmu. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose try to maintain their composure during a frustrating (yet ultimately relieving) win.

Mike Carpenter is giddy. Illini basketball is peaking at the right time thanks to program building by Brad Underwood, and two guys who are fast becoming all-time greats in Ayo and Kofi. As the schedule takes shape and brackets put Illinois as a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Carp is relishing every detail of this impressive turnaround.

The Illini put together their best 40-minute performance of the year thanks to Ayo Dosunmu's triple-double and Kofi's countless dunks. Mike Carpenter and Trevor Vallese react to a big-time win over the always-annoying Wisconsin Badgers, and start to dream big for the rest of the year.

Don't let the lame pun title fool you - there's a lot to cover in this episode! Mike Carpenter looks ahead to a big game against Wisconsin, a possible postponement against Michigan, and how the Illini will fare with the rest of their conference schedule. Also, Miles Smith continues his climb up the coaching ranks while Illinois womens' basketball continues to struggle.

165 minutes. 54 fouls. Too many official reviews to count. Oh, and Ayo fouled out. And yet, when the dust settled, the Illini pulled off perhaps the gutsiest win of the season at Indiana to stay in the Big Ten title race. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese, and Isaac Ambrose react during the seemingly never-ending second half and overtime as Illinois improves to 8-3 in conference play.

After Friday's thrilling win against Iowa, has Illinois basketball turned the corner? Mike Carpenter discusses why he's feeling optimistic for the stretch run of the Big Ten season, and why this version of the Illini gives it the best chance to raise some banners.