The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

What is The Future of The Drive? Join Lon and Kurtis for a very open, honest discussion about what's next. Make sure you mark August 18th on your calendars. Plus, Matt Sillich calls in to chat about expectations for the former Illini stars in the NBA next season. Ayo, TSJ, KJ, and Will are all in good positions. Matt tells us why! And we TOAST one to you! It is The Drive.

Lon and Kurtis are back and get you ready for the Cardinals vs Cubs 4th of July series.  Plus we do Next Question and answer your texts.

Our celebration of Pipes continues. We've got more of your calls, texts, Hans D, Magic, and Derek's wife Haley!  Plus Lon, Kurtis, and Derek say their goodbyes. This is a must listen!

Today is the day. We're sending our guy off in style with special guests on the phone and in studio. Hour 1 features station owner Stevie Jay, Trevor Vellese, and your texts.

Former Illini Assistant Coach and current LaSalle coach James Haring joins us this hour to help celebrate Pipes. James shares some awesome stories about Illini recruiting, and being a Groomsman in Pipes' wedding. Which Illini bar hosted the wedding reception? We're having fun on The Drive!

An old friend stops by to help us send Pipes off in style. Kyle Tausk is in-studio and shares some great memories with us about Derek & Lon. Plus, JC Sutter has decided to play for Ole Miss. What's next for Bret Bielema and staff? We discuss! It's The Drive!

Lon shares one of our first tributes to Pipes. Plus, what celebrity cameos should we get Derek in his last week? And things are TIGHT in the NL Central between the Cardinals & Cubs. It all comes to a head over 4th of July Weekend. It is The Drive!

We're sending Pipes out in style this week.  There will be a new NCAA College Basketball video game. We'll finally find out who would win between The Flyin' Illini and The '05 Squad! Plus, what's the best sports video game of all time? Will Coach Bielema and the Illini land a new tight end this week? We discuss.

Kurt Kittner is going into the Illini Hall of Fame! Check out our conversation with Kurt. We cover his entire career at Illinois, talk about his NFL run, and what made his Big Ten Championship team so special. Plus, we have a MAJOR announcement about The Drive and we do our Friday Toasts. Grab a beer and toast with us in Hour 2 of The Drive!

Derek Piper was in Brooklyn for the NBA Draft. He has a full of report about on KJ and Will Riley going back to back in the First Round. Plus, what did Brad Underwood think? And the Cubs and Cardinals split their 4 game series. The taunting continues!

Pipes is in Brooklyn covering tonight's NBA Draft. He's got the details on everything happening and expectations for where KJ & Will Riley could be drafted.  Speaking of which, the Illini Men's Basketball team did an incredible tribute to both players. We'll have that for you as well. It's a big day for the Illini and The Drive!

It's a huge day for Illini Nation! The NBA Draft is tonight and KJ & Will are expected to go in the First Round. Derek Piper is LIVE from Brooklyn, with the latest. Plus, our good friend Kyle Tausk joins the show to talk Cardinals vs Cubs. The Redbirds have a 2-0 lead in this week's series. 

Pipes quizzes Lon and Kurtis on the toughest places to play in the B1G TEN. How will things play out after Illinois plays Ohio State? Plus, where are the best bars for live music in Illini Country?

The Illini have announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Take a trip down memory lane with us and find out who's going in this year. Also, things get a little HEATED when we discuss this week's Cardinals vs Cubs series. Guess who got fired up? 

Our friend Matt Silich joins the show to chat about the Illini, KC, Will, the NBA finals, and more! Plus, our predictions for the Cubs vs Cardinals 4 game series.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the NBA Champs! And they have two First Round Picks in the NBA Draft. Could Kasparas Jakucionis or Will Riley be headed to OKC?  Ryen Rusillo LOVES KC and Will. Where does he think they'll land? Find out in Hour 1! Plus, who didn't get invited to Lon's big party on Friday?

Who has the best food in Illini country? How about the best bars? What are some underrated spots? Plus, more on Bielema being the "villain" that college football needs. We chat about Juice Williams' legacy for Illini football. We have a game 7 for the NBA Finals! Get ready for Pacers vs Thunder. And our Friday Toasts! Cheers!

Joey Wagner is in the studio today with a TON of info on the new Illini football recruits. Four star recruits, the markets where Illinois is having success, and more. Plus - a clip from Paul Finebaum's show made the rounds today about Bret Bielema being the "new villain" on college football. And why that's a good thing!

Will the Fighting Illini land one of the top TE's in the nation? How about two of them? Plus, how did the Illini represent at Wrigley Field last night? We break it down!

Illini alum and Cubs beat writer for the Chicago Tribune Meghan Montemurro joins the fellas. We chat about PCA, Cubs playoff moves, and more. Plus, the Illini landed a 4-star recruit for football! Find out who will be joining Bret Bielema's squad this year.

We do an MLB edition of Next Question. Who do you want to see in the Homerun Derby, All-star Game, and Post Season? What are the reasonable expectations for the Cubs and Cardinals?

The Thunder lead the Pacers 3-2 and Tyrese Haliburton is playing hurt. Are the Pacers doomed? Plus, is Piper about to be an author? He's an Illini historian and we think it should happen!

Brad Underwood held his first press conference of the summer and we were there. Find out the latest news on Ty Rodgers' injury. Plus, more on KC and Will at the NBA Draft. Oh, and Uncle Lon is ready to talk Swayze Movies!

Derek Piper is headed to the green room of the NBA Draft in Brooklyn! Pipes will be there live next week. And he's not going alone - breaking Illini news! Will Riley is officially invited to the Green Room too. And more breaking news - Ty Rodgers suffered a knee injury and it will require surgery. Hear the latest from Brad Underwood.

The best golfers in the world are struggling on the U.S. Open Course. Is the course too tough? The guys discuss.   Plus, a huge Friday toast to Father's Day!

Illini Basketball start their summer workouts soon. What news do you want to know coming out of camp?  Also, we do a NBA Draft NEXT QUESTION and some Father's Day Fun.

Uncle Lon vs. Cherokee Parks - who ya got? Probably Cherokee, but how could Lon win? Plus, who are the most famous people in our phones? We go down a Tim Beckman / Illini rabbit hole, and more Illini nuggets.

The Pacers have found themselves up 2-1 in the NBA Finals. What would a championship win mean from a historic perspective? Plus we have a few Illini nuggets for football and basketball. And which Duke basketball players are the most punchable? We give our list!

Eddie Johnson's Tweet about teammate Mark Smith continues our conversation about which former Illini basketball players need to be in the Hall of Fame. Also, find about the new NCAA Basketball Rules and what it has to do with GROIN SHOTS?!

We discuss the local athletes currently playing in Major League Baseball and some of the local legends that made it to the majors. Did we miss anyone? Also, what should the Cubs and Cards do RIGHT NOW to compete for the post season? And which Illini basketball players deserve to be in the Hall of Fame?

We now know how much NIL Money is available for the Illini. Find out how much and how it might be spent. Plus, will players from 10 years ago get back-pay? Plus the Cardinals trolled Clayton Kershaw. Was it "bush league?" And shoutout to the wonderful woman that brought us ice cream!

Who has the best uniforms in B1G TEN football? We discuss a list that came out over the weekend.  Plus, Aaron Rodgers is official a Pittsburgh Steeler and Lon Tay's taking us on a bar tour.

It's Friday and we're ready to toast one! Find out why Uncle Lon Tay has all the luck at the bars. And Pipes spent HOW MUCH at an Oxford bar just to get in?! Plus Kurtis drinks for cheap and we chat more NBA/Pacers.

Jeremy Woo from ESPN tells us how the NBA Draft will shake out and what it means for SJ & Will. Plus, he breaks down the Pacers incredible Game 1 victory over the Thunder in the NBA Finals.

Our old friend Matt Silich calls to break down the Pacers vs Thunder in the NBA Finals. Matt has a ton of great info that makes the finals can't-miss for sports fans! Plus, breaking Illini Men's Basketball news. Find out who is coming to Champaign this November!

The guys look at the impact of Travel Ball & AAU's impact on College sports. And that leads into a conversation about how the Illini will divide up their NIL money.

He had an epic run in 2023 and has some great insight for the 2025 Illini football team. Former Illini QB John Paddock joins the show for a great conversation!

The text line blows up when Pipes asks, "What would you wash away from sports?" Plus, Next Question is back and it's all about Illini Football.

We continue our conversation of Quad One Wins and the College World Series. Plus, there's a change in Illinois sports betting laws. And can you go back to watch your favorite teams lose? It's The Drive!

Illinois Men's Basketball is headed back to Madison Square Garden. The Illini will play UCONN on Black Friday, which adds to a huge weekend of Illinois sports! Plus we answer your texts and break down the importance of Quad 1 wins. Also, is strawberry ice cream healthy?

Bret Bielema has some FIRE responses on Twitter today about the SEC vs B1G TEN, and cooks an unfortunate Ole Miss fan. Plus, should college football expand the playoffs to 16 teams? And we give our Friday Toasts!

Pipes looks at the last 25+ years of Illinois Basketball and asks this question, "What if history turned out differently?" What if Bill Self stays at Illinois? What if the Illini LOSE to Arizona in the '05 tournament? This is a FUN conversation. 

Caleb Williams addresses rumors that he didn't want to play for the Chicago Bears. Listen to his statement and hear our reactions.  Plus, what were the worst interviews we've ever done? It's The Drive!

Join us for a FUN convo with former Drive teammate Trevor Vallese from The Field of 68 catches up with us.    Plus, our Pro Wrestling / Fighting Illini discussion continues and we answer your texts.

Derek and Kurtis discuss the hype around Illinois vs Michigan this basketball season. Who are the #BalkanBrutes? And which former Illini basketball players would make great Pro Wrestlers? It's The Drive!

Buyers or sellers? What should the Cardinals do at the trade deadline. Plus, Brian Kelly opened a can of worms. Will we get a Big Ten vs SEC football challenge soon? What about a super conference? The guys discuss!

Brian Ames joins the guys to recap The Indy 500. Plus, is Lon getting lazy or losing his mind? Your texts help us decide. It's The Drive!

Jeff Jones from The Belleville-News Democrat joins the show to discuss the Cardinals keeping pace with the Cubs. Plus we answer your texts, recap the Indy 500, and NBA playoffs.

Brian Ames joins us to discuss the 109th Greatest Spectacle in Racing - The Indianapolis 500! Plus the Coca-Cola 600, the fastest animals in the world, and our Friday Toasts! 

The guys compare Bret Bielema's contract with the Top 10 highest paid coaches in college football. Plus, Lon and Kurtis give Pipes advice on T-Ball. And which MLB player did Tawny Kitaen (from the Whitesnake video) beat up back in the day?

Are the guys buying the Cubs as a playoff contender already? Plus, what can the Cardinals do to keep pace and win the division. Also, Michael Jordan is going to NBC. We chat about his potential role and more.