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

Mike Carpenter opens up discussing Adam Miller, Ayo Dosunmu and Brad Underwood's reactions to the protests. Later, he welcomes on Antonio Adams (co-host of A Squared Podcast, federal sergeant) to talk about race and law enforcement issues.

Mike Carpenter talks with Isaac Trotter (Post Bulletin in Rochester, MN) on the protests in Minneapolis.  Later on, Harry Black and Trevor Vallese rank Big Ten football stadiums and discuss best case scenarios for the 2020 Illini football team.

Mike Carpenter welcomes on Boswell Hutson, publisher of Champaign Showers. They discuss the local media landscape, the future of the music scene in CU, and life in a "micro-urban" community like Champaign.

Mike Carpenter, Harry Black and Trevor Vallese react to the Illinois athletic department's plan to welcome back student athletes (along with a discussion as to what "student athlete" means).  Later, a bonus interview with Chuck Koplinski, film critic and co-host of the "Reel Talk" podcast.

Mike Carpenter welcomes back co-host emeritus Steve Breitwieser for a "state of the program" episode, focusing on the good news/bad news of Lovie Smith's recruiting and the remarkable turnaround for Brad Underwood's basketball team.

Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Harry Black recap the final episodes of The Last Dance.  They tell tales of the Legend of Gimpy Pippens, take a brief look at the history of the post-Jordan Bulls, and wonder if the "poisoned pizza" was poisoned after all.

Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Harry Black react to The Last Dance, including Jordan as a leader/teammate, Pippen's folly, and the impact of MJ's retirement and comeback. They also discuss the state of Illinois football and issues with local sports coverage.

Mike Carpenter catches up with old friend and radio cohort Lon Tay, covering a wide range of topics including COVID-19, health scares, concerts, Illini basketball and football, and the possibility of baseball returning.

Mike Carpenter, Harry Black and Trevor Vallese react to episodes 5 and 6 of The Last Dance.  Also, the guys celebrate May the 4th by reflecting on the best and worst moments of the film franchise.

Mike Carpenter looks at the pros and cons of transfers for Illini basketball and football, including the possible addition of Chaundee Brown for Brad Underwood and two transfers in one week for Lovie Smith.  Jordan Bernfield (play-by-play for BTN, ESPN and NBCS-Chi) hops on to talk about growing up in Deerfield, a stones-throw away from Michael Jordan and the 90's Bulls.

Mike Carpenter, Harry Black and Trevor Vallese react to The Last Dance parts 3 and 4, the ESPN documentary on Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls.  Later in the episode (01:06:25), they move the discussion to the state of Illinois football and its lack of recruiting momentum.

Illini fans, exhale! Adam Miller signs his letter of intent for the University of Illinois.  Mike Carpenter breaks down what the commitment means and how Underwood has set up Illinois basketball for sustained success, along with a brief discussion of Lovie Smith's lack of recruiting momentum.  MLB expert Casey Boguslaw hops on the podcast to talk about baseball, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Mike Carpenter, Harry Black and Trevor Vallese react to the first two parts of "The Last Dance", ESPN's documentary on Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. 

Mike Carpenter catches up with Jeremy Werner about Ayo Dosunmu, Adam Miller, Illini basketball, the upcoming football season (whenever that will begin), COVID-19 effects on college sports, movies, music, and more. 

Mike Carpenter welcomes back old friend (and the titular chef of this episode title) Harry Black for some good conversation about sports, food, cartoons, and life in general.

Mike Carpenter speaks with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Steve Greenberg about covering sports during a pandemic, the current state of sports media, and Illinois basketball.  Oh, and this guy named Kofi Cockburn declared for the NBA Draft . . . so Carp hits on that, and what it means for next year's Illini team.

Mike Carpenter welcomes back Isaac Ambrose for a conversation about sports, the lack thereof, and life during a pandemic.  Carp also looks at next year's basketball roster and possible grad transfer additions, the Nancy Fahey extension, the likelihood of Lovie's extension, and the local media landscape.

Mike Carpenter catches up with Harry Black and Trevor Vallese while in the throes of a pandemic.  Harry fills us in about his experiences at ESPN during COVID-19, and Trevor and Carp share grocery shopping tips.

Mike Carpenter interviews one of his all-time favorite Illini, Cory Bradford, in a wide-ranging discussion including: the 1999 Big Ten Tournament run, Lon Kruger, Bill Self, the Seton Hall game, the Arizona rivalry, Frank Williams' greatness, Robert Archibald, and much more.

On the 15th anniversary of the greatest Illini basketball game ever, Mike Carpenter reflects on the classic win over Arizona.  Before he takes a trip down memory lane, he reacts to the Alan Griffin and Tevian Jones transfers.

As we live in a reality without live sports, Mike Carpenter decides to take a trip down memory lane on the 19th anniversary of Illinois' 80-64 win over Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen.  From the heroics of Frank Williams to the overall bruising nature of that special team, Carp recounts his memories from that year while doing a little play-by-play from the Illinois-Kansas game.

There's no sports to talk about, so we opened things up to the listeners!  Mike Carpenter responds to around 20 questions ranging the gamut from sports to music to movies.  As we go forward in this strange new reality, we look to stretch things out and invite more listener feedback and involvement.

Mike Carpenter tries to make sense of the last 48 hours from both a sports and real life perspective.  The abrupt end to a memorable Illini basketball season stings, and now we settle in for an extended period of uncertainty.  

The Illini exact their revenge on the Iowa Hawkeyes with a thrilling regular season finale in Champaign.  Mike Carpenter reflects on the season as a whole, and how the "most consequential year" he discussed with Breitwieser back in August became a most "satisfying" one for Illinois basketball fans.

Bummer.  Illinois lets a 9-point second half lead evaporate en route to an 8 point loss at Ohio State.  Mike Carpenter fumes about the Wesson Brothers, while Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose look on in horror as EJ Liddell has his best game at Ohio State.  If you need some catharsis after that disappointing result, here you go.