Wolverine Wafflestomp (02/13/24)

02/14/24 • 57 min

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

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.

Previous Episode

State of the Program (02/07/24)

Mike Carpenter reflects on the Illini basketball season so far, which has them at 17-5 overall and 8-3 in the Big Ten. He opens up the listener mailbag to see how satisfied fans are with Brad Underwood as Illinois' head coach, and what's been most impressive through seven years at the helm. Finally, he discusses Saturday's big game at Michigan State and why he feels good about the rematch vs. Tom Izzo's squad.

Next Episode

Bad Underwood (02/21/24)

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.