The Drive on ESPN 93.5

7-02-26 Hour 2 Illinois Football Schedule - Do you like popcorn???

Carson and Evan break down the Illini football schedule. How many wins are on the schedule? We find out Quinn doesn't like popcorn, but she does like crime.

7-02-26 Hour 1 - Carson Gourdie in Studio - Cubs/Cards/White Sox - NBA Free Trades - USA!

Carson Gourdie is IN STUDIO to kick off the show as we talk about the HOT Cubs and surprising White Sox start. Jaylen Brown traded FOR WHAT???? And the USMNT beats Bosnia to move on to the Round of 16. What is a red card anyways?

07-01-26 Hour 2 More World cup talks, NBA offseason updates and Lebron, and NFL upcoming season

Hour 2 Evan and Pierce talk about World cup matches as well as NBA offseason and the upcoming NFL season!

07-01-26 Hour 1 Cardinals vs. Braves Recap, World Cup USA talks, Pierce the Fierce Redemption

Hour 1 Evan and Pierce talk about game one between Cardinals and Braves, as well as the match-up for USA Mens soccer, and Pierce the Fierce gets a chance at redemption!

6-30-26 Hour 2: Tuesday Draft! Isaac Ambrose Joins The Show

Hour 2 Kicks off with Evan and Quinn discussing Cardinals/Cubs and then jumping into the Tuesday Draft! Greatest Iconic Games of all time!

06/29/26 Hour 2: Cardinals-Cubs 4th of July Series Preview, NBA Headlines & World Cup Recap

The Drive looks ahead to one of the biggest baseball weekends of the summer with an early breakdown of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Fourth of July showdown at Wrigley Field. Kurtis and Evan discuss the pitching matchups, division implications, and why the rivalry series could help shape the National League race heading into the All-Star break.

Later, the guys hit the latest NBA headlines, including free agency buzz, trade rumors, and the biggest stories around the league following the draft. The hour wraps with a recap of the latest action from the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, including key results, standout performances, and what to watch as the tournament moves toward the Round of 16.

06/29/26 Hour 1: 5-Star Recruit Visits Illinois as Chris Hightower Takes on Pierce "The Fierce" Intern in Name That Coach

Illinois basketball continues to generate recruiting buzz as the Illini host a highly touted 5-star prospect for an unofficial visit. Kurtis and Evan break down what the visit could mean for Brad Underwood's program and recap the latest headlines surrounding Illinois athletics. Later, Chris Hightower returns to the studio for another entertaining showdown, challenging Pierce the Intern in a spirited edition of "Name That Coach." Sports talk, recruiting updates, and plenty of laughs fill Hour 1 of The Drive.

06/26/26 Hour 2: Cardinals vs. Marlins Weekend Preview, Chris Hightower Talks NBA Draft & Chicago Bears Hallmark Movie, Friday Toasts

On Hour 2, Chris Hightower stays in studio to continue breaking down an exciting NBA Draft for Illinois basketball and what it means for the Illini moving forward. We also preview this weekend's Cardinals vs. Marlins series, discussing what's at stake as St. Louis looks to keep building momentum before a tougher stretch of the schedule. Plus, we have some fun with the news that the Chicago Bears are getting the Hallmark movie treatment, and wrap up the week with our favorite Friday Toasts.

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06/26/26 Hour 1: Morez Johnson Breaks Silence on Illinois Exit as Chris Hightower Talks Illini in the NBA Draft

Former Illini forward Morez Johnson explains why he transferred, saying he "didn't feel comfortable with my future being" at Illinois, and we break down what his comments mean for the program. Plus, Chris Hightower joins us in studio to discuss a memorable NBA Draft night for Illinois basketball, the futures of the Illini draft picks, and what it says about the direction of the program.

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06/25/26 Hour 2: Illinois vs. North Carolina Set for Nashville; Breaking Down the Illini Basketball Schedule & Team USA's Historic World Cup Bid

The guys react to Illinois Fighting Illini and North Carolina Tar Heels announcing a matchup in the 2027 Nashville Hoops Showdown, then take a deep dive into Illinois' basketball schedule, biggest challenges, and early expectations for the season while covering the latest Illini headlines.

Plus, United States men's national soccer team looks to make World Cup history, and Evan gets a lesson on common figures of speech in another entertaining edition of the show.

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06/25/26 Hour 1: Former Illini Marcus Domask Joins the Show; Brian Teague Talks Bulls & NBA Draft Breakdown

Former Illini star Marcus Domask joins the show to discuss his basketball journey, life since Illinois, the excitement surrounding the NBA Draft, and his upcoming youth basketball camp. Plus, some breaking news on his infamous Bonneville!

Then, Bulls insider Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports breaks down the Bulls draft haul, what No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler brings to the Los Angeles Clippers, Kylan Boswell's NBA outlook, and the biggest winners and losers from draft night.

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06/24/26 Hour 2: Sunny Verma on Wagler-to-Clippers & Bulls Big Night; Pierre Noujaim Breaks Down Ayo's Massive Payday; Biggest Draft Bust Results; Intern Pierce vs. A Map

Illinois basketball insider Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini joins the show to discuss Keaton Wagler's selection by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 5 overall pick in the NBA Draft. How does Wagler fit with the Clippers' roster? What expectations should Illini fans have for his rookie season? And what does another top-five pick mean for the future of Illinois basketball?

Later, Pierre Noujaim from Fox9 Minneapolis joins us to break down former Illini star Ayo Dosunmu's new five-year, $112 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. We'll discuss why Minnesota made Ayo a top offseason priority, how his playoff performance boosted his value, and whether this deal could become one of the league's better bargains over the next several seasons.

Plus, we reveal the results of our Biggest Draft Busts of All Time Tuesday Draft and debate who got it right.

And in today's edition of Intern Pierce vs. The World, we discover that reading a map may be harder than expected. Can Pierce successfully navigate basic geography, or will another challenge end in disaster? Tune in to find out.

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06/24/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler Drafted No. 5 Overall by Clippers; Cardinals Announce Major Front Office Changes

Illinois star Keaton Wagler officially became the second-highest NBA Draft selection in program history Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Wagler's remarkable freshman season included consensus All-America honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Jerry West Award, and a trip to the Final Four. He now joins an organization looking to build around a talented young core and is the highest Illini draft pick since Deron Williams went No. 3 overall in 2005.

We'll break down why the Clippers viewed Wagler as the perfect fit at No. 5, what his NBA role could look like immediately, and how his selection continues Illinois' recent pipeline of NBA talent.

Plus, the St. Louis Cardinals announced significant organizational changes as Bill DeWitt III was promoted from President to Chief Executive Officer. Meanwhile, Anuk Karunaratne was elevated to President of Business Operations, while Bill DeWitt Jr. remains Chairman and Principal Owner. The move represents the next phase of the Cardinals' long-term succession plan and further separates baseball operations under Chaim Bloom from the club's business operations.

We'll discuss why many Cardinals fans are reacting skeptically to the announcement, what it means for the future direction of the franchise, and whether this signals meaningful change or simply a reshuffling of titles.

06/23/26 Hour 2: Illinois Football Lands DB Tyrone Howard Jr., Brody Knowles Gets A Greeting From Dirk Nowitzki & Biggest NBA Draft Busts Ever

Hour 2 of The Drive opened with Illinois football adding another piece to its 2027 recruiting class, securing a commitment from defensive back Tyrone Howard Jr. The talented secondary prospect gives head coach Bret Bielema and the Illini another athletic defender as the program continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail. 

The show also highlighted new Illinois wide receiver commit Brody Knowles after he received a video message from NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki. The unique connection sparked conversation about Knowles' athletic profile and why national figures continue to take notice of the Illini's incoming talent. Illinois' recruiting efforts under Bielema continue to generate buzz as the program looks to build on recent success.

To close the hour, the crew held its weekly Tuesday Draft, selecting the biggest NBA Draft busts of all time. Names such as Anthony Bennett, JaMarcus Russell, Greg Oden, and Darko Miličić fueled a spirited debate over which highly touted prospects failed to live up to expectations. The discussion weighed injuries, circumstances, and unrealized potential while revisiting some of the most infamous draft decisions.

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06/23/26 Hour 1: Chris Hine Breaks Down Ayo Dosunmu’s $112 Million Timberwolves Deal, NBA Draft Night for Keaton Wagler & Cardinals-Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview

Hour 1 of The Drive features an in-depth conversation with Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Chris Hine on former Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu and his massive new five-year, $112 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hine explained how Minnesota's trade of Julius Randle created the salary flexibility needed to retain Dosunmu and why the franchise views him as a long-term core piece alongside Anthony Edwards after his breakout 2025-26 season.

The show also examined the latest buzz surrounding Illinois freshman sensation Keaton Wagler ahead of tonight's NBA Draft. With most mock drafts placing Wagler firmly in the lottery, discussion centered on potential landing spots including the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and other teams selecting in the top 10. Wagler's elite shooting, playmaking ability, and rapid rise from overlooked recruit to projected lottery pick have made him one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's class.

The hour wrapped up with a preview of the upcoming series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks as St. Louis looks to continue its recent winning stretch and build momentum heading toward the All-Star break. The Cardinals have an opportunity to gain ground in the National League standings before a much tougher portion of their schedule arrives.

06/22/26 Hour 2: Cardinals Face Critical Stretch Before All-Star Break; Messi Sets Another World Cup Record; Intern Pierce Takes on MLB All-Star Voting and Canada

The Cardinals enter a pivotal point in their season as they begin a six-game stretch against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins, two series they may need to win before facing a significantly tougher schedule leading into the All-Star Break. The discussion centered on St. Louis' playoff positioning, the importance of taking advantage of favorable matchups, and how a strong week could shape the club's outlook for the second half of the season.

The show also highlighted another historic achievement by soccer superstar Lionel Messi, who added yet another milestone to his legendary résumé during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The crew examined where Messi's latest record ranks among his countless accomplishments and what it means for his place in soccer history.

Plus, Intern Pierce "The Fierce" sparked a lively debate on two hot-button topics: MLB All-Star voting and Canada. The conversation covered whether fan voting still produces the most deserving All-Stars, which players may be getting overlooked, and featured plenty of laughs as Pierce shared his unique takes on America's northern neighbor.

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06/22/26 Hour 1: Dusty May Leaves Michigan for Dallas Mavericks; Alex Kyi Discusses Big Ten Fallout and Keaton Wagler's NBA Draft Range

Michigan basketball was rocked by the stunning news that national championship-winning head coach Dusty May is leaving for the Dallas Mavericks, creating a massive shakeup across the Big Ten and college basketball landscape. Reports indicate May is headed to Dallas after leading Michigan to the 2026 national title, opening a transfer portal window and leaving uncertainty around one of the conference's top programs.

Alex Kyi of Armchair Illini joined the show to break down the ripple effects of May's departure, including how it could impact the Big Ten title race and potentially benefit programs like Illinois Fighting Illini heading into the 2026-27 season. The conversation also focused on former Illini star Keaton Wagler and the latest intel surrounding the 2026 NBA Draft. According to Kyi's reporting, Wagler is expected to land somewhere between picks 5 and 9, with teams such as the Clippers, Nets, Kings, Hawks, and Mavericks all viewed as potential destinations. Kyi discussed why Wagler remains one of the most intriguing lottery prospects, and what his sources are hearing just days before draft night.

The hour also examined how May's exit could reshape the national college basketball hierarchy and what it means for Illinois' championship aspirations entering next season.

06/19/26 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla Breaks Down Big Ten Football Risers and Fallers, how Illini will fare; Team USA Beats Australia; Friday Toasts Close the Week

Hour 2 featured a deep dive into the ever-changing Big Ten football landscape with Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports. Ravi examined which conference programs made the biggest strides during the offseason, which contenders may have taken a step back, and where Illinois fits into the 2026 race. The conversation focused on roster development, transfer portal additions, coaching continuity, and the realistic expectations for Bret Bielema's Illini entering a season with heightened expectations.

The guys also continued reacting to Team USA's impressive 2-0 World Cup victory over Australia. The Americans moved closer to advancing from Group D thanks to another strong defensive performance and timely scoring, creating plenty of optimism about the squad's chances moving forward in the tournament.

Listeners got to know one of the show's biggest supporters during  "Meet Listener Mark," before wrapping up the week with the always-popular Friday Toasts segment, celebrating accomplishments, memorable moments, and everything worth raising a glass to heading into the weekend.

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06/19/26 Hour 1: Illinois Basketball vs Texas Tech Home-and-Home Series Is A Go; Team USA Shuts Out Australia; Cardinals Crushed by Royals

The Fighting Illini continue to build one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules as Illinois and Texas Tech officially move forward with a marquee home-and-home basketball series. The grumbles of Big Ten schools NOT playing Texas Tech, post-Brendan Sorsby, amounts to nothing.

Illinois hosted the first matchup in Champaign, with a return trip to Lubbock set for the 2026-27 season, giving Brad Underwood another high-profile test against a perennial Big 12 contender.

On the international stage, Team USA delivered an impressive World Cup performance, defeating Australia 2-0 in Group D action. The Americans improved their position in the group standings with a dominant defensive effort and continued momentum after their strong tournament-opening victory over Paraguay. The win sets up a crucial stretch run as the United States looks to advance to the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals endured one of their roughest losses of the season, falling 14-6 to the Kansas City Royals. Matthew Liberatore struggled early, allowing the Royals to erupt for a six-run second inning. Kansas City finished with 17 hits and three home runs, while Bobby Witt Jr. homered before leaving with knee discomfort. Salvador Perez added a historic blast at Kauffman Stadium, and despite collecting 13 hits of their own, the Cardinals stranded 15 runners in the lopsided defeat.

 

06/18/26 Hour 2: Illinois Football 3-3-5 Defense Breakdown - Safeties & "Chief" Position, USA vs Australia World Cup Preview & Best Smells Draft Results

Hour 2 of The Drive featured a deep dive into Illinois football's evolving 3-3-5 defensive scheme, with a special focus on the safety positions and the versatile "Chief" role. The guys discussed how the position functions as a hybrid defender, blending responsibilities of a nickelback, linebacker, and safety while creating flexibility for defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's aggressive approach. They also examined which current Illini players are best suited for the role and how the position could impact Illinois' defensive success in 2026.

The show also previewed Team USA's critical FIFA World Cup matchup against Australia. Kurtis and Evan broke down the Americans' strong start to the tournament, key players to watch, and what a victory would mean for the United States' chances of advancing out of Group D. They also looked at Australia's strengths and potential challenges the USMNT could face heading into the highly anticipated match.

Plus, the results are in from this week's Tuesday Draft as listeners crowned the winner of "Best Smells of All Time." From fresh-cut grass and bacon to movie theater popcorn and a new car interior, the guys reviewed the fan voting and debated which scents truly deserve championship status.

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