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

Illinois basketball capitalizes on a Final Four appearance by retaining their core. David Mirkovic, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, Andrej Stojakovic, and Jake Davis announced their return during the weekend, setting up Brad Underwood's 2026-27 team with high aspirations.

Illinois basketball's postseason run comes to an end at the hands of UConn. Mike Carpenter discusses Saturday's game, the trip to the Final Four, and what this success in March means for the fanbase and the program itself going forward.

Illinois basketball is back in the Final Four, and it's hat eatin' time for Mike Carpenter. Ahead of Saturday's matchup against UConn, he reflects on the 2025-26 season, the many highlights, the February dip, and the dominant tourney run.

For the first time in 21 years, Illinois basketball is heading to the Final Four! Brad Underwood's Illini punched their ticket with a 71-59 win over Iowa, spurred on by a stellar defensive effort and dominance on the boards. Keaton Wagler scored a game-high 25 points, outdueling the Hawkeyes' Bennett Stirtz. Andrej Stojakovic continued his red-hot tourney with 17, while Tomislav Ivisic added 13. Next up: FINAL FOUR IN INDY!

Illinois advances to the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons, bullying the hometown Houston Cougars in a 65-55 win. David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler each nabbed double-doubles, while every player had their moments in a total team effort. Most importantly, Brad Underwood's team not only matched, but surpassed the toughness of Kelvin Sampson's Cougars. Next up: Iowa (yes, IOWA!) for a trip to the Final Four in Indy.

Illinois advances to the Sweet Sixteen with a dominant 76-55 win over VCU. Andrej Stojakovic led the way with 21 points off the bench, while Tomislav Ivisic and Keaton Wagler added 14 apiece. Brad Underwood's team played stifling defense, limiting the Rams to 35% from the field and outrebounding them 45-29. Next up: Houston in Houston on Thursday night.

#3 Illinois gets right with a dominant 105-70 win over #14 Penn in the first round at Greenville, SC. Mike Carpenter reacts to the record-setting performance by David Mirkovic, setting the Illini freshman record for points (29) and overall record for rebounds (17) in a tournament game. Keaton Wagler looked himself again, while Kylan Boswell stifled TJ Power. Up next: #11 VCU on Saturday night.

The Selection Committee places Illinois as the #3 seed in the South Region, kicking things off Thursday against #14 seed Penn in Greenville, SC. Mike Carpenter discusses the opening weekend draw, one that includes a Caleb Wilson-less #6 UNC and a pesky #11 VCU. Tip-off against Fran McCaffery's Penn Quakers is Thursday, 8:25pm CT.

It's like deja vu all over again as the Illini lose in overtime to Wisconsin 91-88. Mike Carpenter reacts after the game, a frustrating affair in which Illinois held 15 point leads in each half, only for each to evaporate thanks to Nick Boyd and John Blackwell's 69 combined points. The discussion with live stream viewers centered around Brad Underwood, and how his performance in March continues to leave many fans wanting more. 

Illinois outlasts a pesky Maryland team with a 78-72 win, their 24th of the year. Mike Carpenter discusses the struggles against the Terps as an Illini team dealing with the flu bug and wear and tear found a way to win. He looks ahead to this weekend's Big Ten Tournament, and what (if anything) Brad Underwood's team needs to do to lock in a 2-seed.

Illinois basketball gets off the schneid with an 80-54 win over the lowly Oregon Ducks. Mike Carpenter reacts to the improved play from Brad Underwood's team, spurred on by a bounce back 21-point game from Andrej Stojakovic and another 19 from David Mirkovic. Next up: the regular season finale at Maryland.

Michigan clinches the outright Big Ten Title at the State Farm Center with an 84-70 win over Illinois. Mike Carpenter reacts to the disappointing loss, one in which the Wolverines proved their national title bona fides while the Illini enter March with some questions. Boswell, Wagler, and Mirkovic were strong, but the rest of the roster struggled mightily. Up next: Oregon on Tuesday.

#3 Michigan rolls into Champaign for a top ten showdown against Illinois at the State Farm Center. Mike Carpenter discusses the matchup, the fallout of the collapse at UCLA, and what a win against Dusty May's Wolverines would mean for Brad Underwood's Illini.

Despite holding a 23-point lead in the first half, Illinois basketball falls in OT for the third time this season. On this night, it was a Tyus Edney-esque game-winner from Donovan Dent, giving UCLA the 95-94 win. Mike Carpenter reacts immediately after the loss and questions the in-game coaching of Brad Underwood. Despite growing Illini basketball into a top-15 caliber program, is his ability to adjust on the fly good enough to win in March?

A fully healthy Illinois begins their west coast swing with a 101-65 rout at USC. Mike Carpenter reacts to the display of offensive firepower, keyed on by Andrej Stojakovic's 22 points in his return from injury. Seven players scored in double-figures in a balanced effort. Up next: at UCLA on Saturday night.