The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

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.

Nasir Rankin had an all-timer presser to announce he's joining The Illini. We discuss all the hat tosses. Plus, is Bret Bielema putting together one of his best teams ever? And we chat about Game 1 of Pacers vs. Knicks. NO CHOKE! It's The Drive.

Lon's back in the studio with Derek and Kurtis. Get our live reaction to Nasir Rankin's epic commitment to Illinois Football. Plus, why Dan Hartlieb had every right to be upset with today's Illini Baseball game, and more.

Details emerge on Brad Underwood's new contract, and the guys discuss the expectations for the next several seasons. Plus Cubs & Cards 2 months in, we answer your texts, and more!

Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports joins the show for a great chat, some big news on Illini Football recruiting, and does recruiting Chicago matter as much as it once did? The fellas break it down!

Scott Dochterman from The Athletic joins the boys to discuss all things Big Ten, Illini, Iowa, Caitlin Clark, and more!

Joey Wagner joins Pipes and new guy Kurtis Allen to chat about his NFL draft experience. Plus, the guys break down Bret Bielema's biggest wins so far and look at the upcoming Illini Football schedule.

Derek and Kyle discuss whether it's even worth it to invest in high school recruiting anymore in the current landscape and what they anticipate the Illini's approach to recruiting being going forward. Later, the guys react to 247 Sports' Big Ten quarterback rankings for 2025.

Derek and Kyle talk some baseball and discuss why we haven't seen very many bad blood rivalries and benches-clearing brawls in baseball in recent seasons. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the first two days of the PGA Championship and potential NBA conference finals matchups.

Chris Block, owner of Chris Block Racing Stables joins the show to share his insight into the Preakness field and if the Triple Crown schedule needs to be adjusted to allow for more horses to chase the Triple Crown. Later, Lon and Derek discuss Illini football's season opener getting moved to Friday and the new book coming out that details drama surrounding Caleb Williams and the Bears before the draft.

Lon and Derek discuss the announced contract extensions for Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema and what a realistic expectation should be for Underwood each season. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Illinois & Tennessee finalizing an agreement to meet for another two seasons in Nashville and Chicago and who else they'd like to see the Illini schedule.

City/Suburban Hoops Report and the Chicago Sun-Times's Joe Henricksen joins the show to talk Jalen Brunson's ascension into an NBA star, the current state of Illinois high school hoops, and some old Illini hoops recruiting insight. Later, the guys look back at the loaded list of 2016 recruiting class visitors the Illini brought in.

Lon and Derek react to the news of MLB lifting its ban for Pete Rose, Joe Jackson and other deceased figures, making them eligible for the Hall of Fame. Later, intern Daniel Herzog leads the guys through Next Question: Illini hoops edition.

Lon and Derek take a look back at what the COVID era of sports looked like, including virtual drafts and the canceled NCAA Tournament. Later, the guys discuss what to make of Kasparas Jakucionis's draft stocking following a negative projection by The Athletic.

Lon and Derek discuss the Cardinals' 8-game win streak and whether the Cubs/Cardinals series this season could actually be for the NL Central crown. Later, the guys go back and look at Illinois' national championships in athletics on the heels of Illini golf's quest for one.

Lon and Derek discuss what they think the biggest surprise could be for Illinois basketball, either player or team-related. Later, the guys share their thoughts on what the mix of personalities on the Illini hoops team could look like.

Lon and Derek talk some baseball and discuss what's needed to juice up the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry again this summer. Later, the guys discuss their level of concern over the Illini's running back depth following the departure of Josh McCray.

Derek and Kyle continue Next Question: Illinois Basketball Edition with questions about the now close-to-finalized Illini roster.

Derek and Kyle discuss Illinois basketball adding an in-state point guard to a walk on type of roster spot. Later, the guys play Next Question: Illinois Basketball Edition with questions about Illini hoops.

Lon and Derek run through some of the most athletic players in MLB history. Later, the guys discuss whether programs without football could benefit from revenue sharing and some other college sports thoughts.

Lon and Derek talk about the Cardinals' recent win streak after sweeping the Pirates and if there's any pressure being put on the NL Central. Later, Matt Silich joins the show to discuss the NBA Playoffs and what to expect from the conference semifinals.

Derek and Kyle talk some Illinois football and discuss some reasons for both optimism and skepticism for the Illini amid getting some preseason Top 10 love from Joe Klatt. The guys also discuss if it's fair to compare what Illinois could do in 2025 to last year's Indiana team.

Derek and Kyle discuss an electric night of NBA playoff action that saw two Game 1s come down to the wire. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Nikola Jokic's dominance and where he stacks up all time among NBA big men.

Lon and Derek discuss how much basketball recruiting has changed nowadays and reminisce on some old stories. Lon shares his thoughts on Trae Taylor's fake out commitment to Illinois. Later, the guys discuss what's on tap this week for the Cubs and Cardinals.

Lon and Derek discuss what's the most compelling thing to watch in sports right now between MLB, NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs and more. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the potential for the Illini to add a new assistant coach and what they would be looking for.

Chris Blocks from Chris Block racing stables joins the show to share his horse racing insight ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss 4-star Nebraska commit Trae Taylor pulling a wild fake out on the Illini during his commitment.

Newest Illini commit Andrej Stojakovic joins the show to share why he chose Illinois, what he thinks next season's team can look like and what he hopes to accomplish in Champaign. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss the NBA playoffs, including the T-Wolves' domination of the Lakers and Jalen Brunson's polarizing play style.

Derek and Kyle discuss how interested they are in Hard Knocks and what they make of the very strange Bill Belichick situation that's made headlines. Later, the guys discuss whether they think the Illini's unique international-filled roster will be a top national storyline next college basketball season.

Derek and Kyle discuss how strong the Cubs' position atop the NL Central is and whether there's enough to still be excited about with some of the Cardinals' younger players. Later, the guys share their thoughts on how far is too far for professional players coming over to play college basketball.

Derek and Kyle discuss whether or not Illinois is completely done adding to its roster after the Stojakovic addition and what, if anything, the roster could still use. Later, the guys share some early thoughts on teams that could be near the top of the Big Ten entering next season.

Derek gives his take on Andrej Stojakovic committing to Illinois and how he fits with next season's Illini roster. Later, Lon, Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's 2025-26 conference opponents in basketball and how Illinois could fare.

Former Illinois guard Sean Harrington joins the show to share his thoughts on how Brad Underwood has constructed the Illini roster this offseason and what the team could look like next season. Later, Lon and Kyle recap some exciting series in the NHL and NBA playoffs.

Lon and Kyle break down the Illini landing Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic and how important the addition is for the Illini's outlook next season. Later, former Chicago Tribune writer Dave Wischnowsky joins the show to give his take on the Stojakovic addition, the Illini's offseason and the Cubs' hot start to the season.

The Bear Report's Aaron Leming joins the show to share his thoughts on the Bears' first round pick of Colston Loveland and where he thinks the Bears should go on Day 2. Later, the guys share some more of their thoughts on the NFL Draft as a whole.

Lon and Derek discuss where things stand with Andrej Stojakovic as the waiting game on his official announcement continues and how highly thought of an Illini team with him on it could be. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the Bears' first round selection of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.

Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner joins the show to share his insight on Illini football post-spring ball, Illini basketball's international efforts, and Illini women's basketball's offseason. Derek gives his brief scouting report on Mihailo Petrovic. Later, the Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro joins the show to share her thoughts on the Cubs' hot start to the season.

Derek and Kyle discuss another Cubs thrilling victory over the Dodgers and how fun their start to the season has been offensively. They also discuss the Cardinals' early season disappointment. Later, the guys break down how Andrej Stojakovic would fit with the Illini and what they could still be missing.