The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

The betting line has moved for tonight's game. The Illini are now favored at -48.5. We'll make our score predictions, gameday traditions, tailgating fun, our Friday toasts and Evan gets everyone HYPED!

We're ready for tonight's home opener! Kurtis and Evan recap rosters, a look at last night's Big Ten games, and a preview of tonight's festivities at Memorial Stadium.

Here are some of the highlights of our live broadcast at Pia's in Champaign. We get you set for the Illini home opener against WIU, Etched in Stone bets, the Micah Parsons trade, and more! **This is an abbreviated podcast due to Cardinals baseball.

The Cardinals drop one to the Pirates, but have Sonny Gray on the bump for the next outing. We discuss. Plus, we discuss the do's and don'ts for taking your kids to their first games. And we're hyped for Pia's tomorow!

There were a handful of Illini alum that were cut from NFL rosters yesterday. We'll update you on where Tommy DeVito and others landed. Plus, Tristan Thomas of WCIA3 joins us to talk about some of the big high school football games this Friday night.  And Evan has 4 bold predictions for this Friday night's Illini game. It's The Drive!

The Redbirds had a big comeback win last night and a bad one for Wilson Contreras.  We'll dive into the schedule. Also, Western Illinois University's play-by-play man BJ Stone joins the show to discuss what the Illini can expect from the Leathernecks on Friday night.  And what did Evan say that made Kurtis CRY on the show?? Find out! It's The Drive!

Illini OC Barry Lunney had some great things to say about Hudson Clement evolving in the Illini offense. We'll dive into that. Plus, Mahomet Lady Bulldogs flag football coach Adam Schonauer joins the show to discuss the sport growing at local schools. It's a great conversation! Also, a handful of Illini greats were cut from NFL rosters today. We discuss who we think could be claimed off of waivers and their best landing spots.

Mihailo Petrovic is officially in Champaign and Illini basketball fans are rejoicing. Plus, more from Coach Bielema's press conference. And why things continue to look up for the Cardinals & Cubs. It's The Drive!

It's the first J Leman hour of 2025 and he's breaking down everything Illini football! Plus, we'll get J's reaction to Coach Bielema's press conference from today and much more. He's a force of nature and he's back!

There are five college football games this weekend and a few juicy betting lines. Evan's ready to lay some bets with the debut of "Etched in Stone." Plus, the schedule looks favorable for the Cardinals through Labor Day. Can they make a run at the Wild Card? And what about the Cubs?  And we have our Friday Toasts! Cheers!

We're one week away from the Illini kicking off the 2025 football season. Kurtis and Evan lock in their win/loss picks. Plus, the Bears take on the Chiefs in the last preseason game. How much of the starters do you need to see tonight?  And who are the QB's you'd take over Patrick Mahomes? Evan has a few.  It's Friday on The Drive!

The Illini Basketball nonconference schedule is officially out and there are some intriguing games in neutral zones. We'll break it down. Also, don't miss our conversation with Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports about the B1G TEN football season. Ravi gives us some great insight from around the conference and how outsiders are viewing the Illini. 

We follow up on Gabe Jacas being 22 in ESPN's Top 100 College Football Players of the Year. Illini fans should be very excited about Gabe's potential sack totals for this year. Plus, are people writing off the Cardinals postseason hopes a little too soon? Can the Cubs possibly catch the Brewers? The odds might be better than you think. And what's the most you would spend on tickets to see the Illini in a championship game? 

Tyson Bagent got a 2 year extension from the Bears. Kurtis and Evan discuss how it helps from a front office perspective. Also, Anthony Richardson is out and Daniel Jones is in for the Colts. Plus, the Browns have way too many quarterbacks.

A list of the Top 100 Players in College Football was just released. Gabe Jacas and Xavier Scott made the list, but Luke Altmyer did not. Kurtis and Evan discuss. Plus, the Cardinals and Cubs get big wins as the playoff race gets tighter. And what's your dream tailgate? 

Imagine you're in charge of the St. Louis Cardinals. How are you fixing the franchise for 2026 and beyond? Kurtis & Evan discuss. Plus, the Cubs benched Kyle Tucker while trying to keep pace with the Brewers.  And we received a bunch of shout outs for local high schools. Lets go!

Bret Bielema weighed in on expanding the College Football Playoffs. Kurtis & Evan react. Plus, a deeper into into Illini Football's defense and people are getting WEIRD with Fantasy Football. 

Is anyone else ready to do the Super Bowl Shuffle? The Ben Johnson era of the Chicago Bears started with a big preseason win over the Buffalo Bills. Kurtis & Evan discuss what they liked and why some fans should pump the breaks. Plus the Brewers keep winning and the Cubs keep losing. Also, should the Cardinals have been more active at the trade deadline? 

It's an all-new era for The Drive on ESPN 93.5! Stevie Jay Broadcasting welcomes Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone as your new hosts.  The first hour of the show addresses the departure of longtime host Lon Tay. Plus we're talking Illini Football expectations and how we can get College Gameday to town.

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.