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

Illini basketball won't get to cleanse their palette with a win against Nebraska, which gives Mike Carpenter a full week to wonder how much (if at all) fans need to recalibrate expectations. Meanwhile, Bret Bielema shores up his coaching staff and starts to generate some recruiting momentum.

Illini basketball won't get to cleanse their palette with a win against Nebraska, which gives Mike Carpenter a full week to wonder how much (if at all) fans need to recalibrate expectations. Meanwhile, Bret Bielema shores up his coaching staff and starts to generate some recruiting momentum.

That's gonna sting. Illinois loses at home to a Maryland team without their starting point guard, taking an unexpected hit in the Big Ten race. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react to the disappointing effort.

That's gonna sting. Illinois loses at home to a Maryland team without their starting point guard, taking an unexpected hit in the Big Ten race. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react to the disappointing effort.

That . . . was awesome. The Illini outscore Northwestern 53-13 in the second half to win their 5th Big Ten game. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose enjoy one of the best halves of Illinois basketball ever (after a 5-minute diatribe from Carp at halftime). Enjoy!

That . . . was awesome. The Illini outscore Northwestern 53-13 in the second half to win their 5th Big Ten game. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose enjoy one of the best halves of Illinois basketball ever (after a 5-minute diatribe from Carp at halftime). Enjoy!

Bret Bielema lands his first high school (Josh McCray) and transfer commit (CJ Hart) of his tenure, while Illini fans await the official word on a defensive coordinator. Mike Carpenter also digs deep on his #StartCurbelo campaign, and how it can be the difference in winning a Big Ten title.

Bret Bielema lands his first high school (Josh McCray) and transfer commit (CJ Hart) of his tenure, while Illini fans await the official word on a defensive coordinator. Mike Carpenter also digs deep on his #StartCurbelo campaign, and how it can be the difference in winning a Big Ten title.

The Illini stretch their winning streak to 3 with an uneven, occasionally exasperating performance against Purdue. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react to the good, the bad, and the U-G-L-Y during the second half.

The Illini stretch their winning streak to 3 with an uneven, occasionally exasperating performance against Purdue. Mike Carpenter, Trevor Vallese and Isaac Ambrose react to the good, the bad, and the U-G-L-Y during the second half.