The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

11/13/24 Hour 2: More Oakland-Illinois preview; Which Illini hoops records can this team break?

Derek and Kyle continue previewing the Illini's matchup with Oakland and discuss whether or not they think Illinois is "drought-proof" despite its style of play. The guys also brainstorm some more Illinois basketball records this team could break on the heels of Riley and Jakucionis's record-setting performances.

11/13/24 Hour 1: Biggest things to watch for when Illini play Oakland; Champions Classic reaction

Derek and Kyle share the biggest things they're looking for when Illinois takes on Oakland and takes a look at what the Golden Grizzlies will present. Later, the guys discuss their takeaways from the Champions Classic.

11/12/24 Hour 2: How important is a 9-win finish for Illinois football?; Underwood talks offensive firepower, Oakland

Lon and Derek discuss how important a 9-win season would be for Illinois and Lon shares why he'd actually be disappointed with 8 wins. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he discusses his team's hot offensive start and previews the upcoming matchup with Oakland.

11/12/24 Hour 1: What's most to blame for Bears current disaster?; Comparing Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels so far

Lon and Derek discuss how bad things have gotten for the Bears on the heels of firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and what's most to blame for the current struggles. The guys also compare the starts to Caleb Williams' and Jayden Daniels' careers and highlight some former Illini having success around the NFL.

11/11/24 Hour 2: Does Will Riley need to start for Illini?; Thoughts on Illini's new three point-reliant style of offense

Lon and Derek discuss whether Will Riley should start for Illinois at some point this season and whether or not it matters. The guys also share their thoughts on the Illini's new run-and-gun style of play on offense and their first impressions of Tomislav Ivisic.

11/11/24 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Getting fans re-energized for the final three games, Keys for Illini to get back in the win column

J Leman joins Lon and Derek for his weekly football hour to discuss the Illini's final three games against Michigan State, Rutgers and Northwestern. The guys talk about fans needed to get re-energized for the final three games after the disappointing loss to Minnesota and some things that need to change for Illinois to be successful.

11/8/24 Hour 2: More early Big Ten hoops takeaways; Ivisic on college debut; CFB/CBB weekend preview

Derek and Kyle share some takeaways from Michigan State and Wisconsin's start of the college hoops season and what the Big Ten pecking order could look like. Hear from Illini big man Tomislav Ivisic as he recaps his college debut. Later, the guys preview and give their picks for the biggest college football and basketball games of the weekend.

11/8/24 Hour 1: Illini women get huge opening night win over FSU; Previewing Illinois-SIUE — what do we want to see?

Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini women's opening night ranked win over FSU and what it means for their season. The guys also preview the Illini men's matchup with SIUE and some things they hope to see in Game 2 from Illinois.

11/7/24 Hour 2: How sustainably can Illinois rely on threes this season?; Reflecting on 23-24 team ahead of ring ceremony

Derek and Kyle discuss how sustainable they believe the Illini's fast-paced, three point-reliant offensive style is and what some keys are to playing it effectively. Later, the guys reflect on the 2023-24 Elite Eight team ahead of Friday's ring ceremony and brainstorm some items they'd add to the Illini Basketball Hall of Fame.

11/7/24 Hour 2: How much more of a challenge will SIUE be after hanging with Indiana?; Isaac Trotter (247 Sports) on Illini freshmen debuts, college hoops early takeaways

Derek and Kyle discuss Indiana's season opener against the Illini's Friday opponent SIUE and how much more of a test the Cougars will give Illinois especially in the frontcourt. Later, 247 Sports's Isaac Trotter joins the show to share his first impressions of the Illini freshmen and his biggest takeaways from around college basketball.

11/6/24 Hour 2: Reactions to first CFP rankings; Bielema on bye week; Who's your bet to be Illini's highest drafted player?

Derek and Kyle react to the first College Football Playoffs and some of the controversial decisions the committee made. Hear from Illini coach Bret Bielema as he discusses his staff's plans during the bye week. Later, the guys discuss their pick of whether Kasparas Jakucionis or Will Riley will ultimately be selected higher in the NBA Draft.

11/6/24 Hour 1: Looking back at a few offseason targets for Illini hoops; Big Ten basketball opening night takeaways

Derek and Kyle take a look at how a few former Illini offseason targets have began their seasons and compare them to their current Illini counterparts. Later, the guys share a few thoughts on the opening night results around the Big Ten and some things that stood out.

11/5/24 Hour 2: Ty Rodgers decides to redshirt – what does it mean for this team and Ty's future?; More Illinois-EIU thoughts

Derek and Kyle discuss the surprising news of Ty Rodgers deciding to redshirt the night of the season opener and what it means for both this year's team and Ty's future. Later, the guys share some more thoughts from opening night.

11/5/24 Hour 1: Will Riley explodes for 31 in Illini's season opener; Other major stand outs from night one; Dwyane Washington (UPlay Canada Director) on Riley's development, mindset

Derek and Kyle recap the Illini's 112-67 opening night win over Eastern Illinois including Will Riley's 31 point outburst and some other standouts. Later, Riley's former AAU program UPlay Canada's program director Dwyane Washington joins the show to share his insight on working with Will, his decision to come to Illinois, and his mindset.

11/4/24 Hour 2: Whose Illini debut are you most excited to see tonight?; Underwood on finding defensive toughness

Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini newcomers they're most excited to see make their Illini debuts against Eastern Illinois. The guys preview the matchup with the Panthers and talk about Brad Underwood's calls for more defensive toughness and grit coming off the Ole Miss exhibition.

11/4/24 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Thoughts on disappointing loss to Minnesota, Altmyer's recent struggles, How to judge 6-3 start

J Leman joins the show for his weekly football hour to share his thoughts on the Illini's disappointing 25-17 loss to Minnesota. The guys also discuss what's led to Luke Altmyer's recent struggles and how to properly judge the Illini's 6-3 start and the quality of their roster.

11/1/24 Hour 2: College Gameday Live from Pia's!

Lon and Derek are live at Pia's Sports Bar and Grill in Champaign to preview the Illini's game against Minnesota and share some thoughts ahead of Illinois basketball's season opener against Eastern Illinois. Hans Dee also stops by for his award-winning segment "Who Ya Got?"

11/1/24 Hour 1: College Gameday Live from Pia's!

Lon and Derek are live at Pia's Sports Bar and Grill in Champaign to break down the Illini's matchup against Minnesota. Former Illinois Associate AD also stops by to catch up and share his thoughts on the Illini's big year.

10/31/24 Hour 2: Illinois feeling the loss of Tim Anderson at all?: Ivisic's impact on Illini offense; Bielema on Minnesota game

Derek and Kyle discuss whether Illinois is feeling the loss of Tim Anderson at all on the recruiting trail and what could be next at that assistant coach spot for Brad Underwood. The guys also discuss how crucial Tomislav Ivisic is to Illinois this season. Later, hear from head coach Bret Bielema as he shares his final thoughts ahead of the game against Minnesota.

10/31/24 Hour 1: Dodgers come all the way back to clinch World Series; Aaron Leming (Bear Report) on Washington disaster, Eberflus's future in Chicago

Derek and Kyle discuss the Dodgers erasing a 5-0 deficit to win the World Series and how hard it will be to take them down in the future. Later, Aaron Leming from the Bear Report joins the show to share his thoughts on the Hail Mary debacle in Washington, Caleb Williams's progress, and what the future holds for Matt Eberflus in Chicago.