The Drive on ESPN 93.5

12/09/25 Hour 2: Evan Stone's Deep Dive into the Illini's Opponents KenPom Rankings; Tuesday Draft - Best Board Games of All Time; Illini vs Buckeyes Predictions

Evan Stone said tonight's men's basketball game against OSU starts "a 10 game stretch in which the Illini should win every game." Need proof? He did a deep dive into the KenPom rankings for every Illinois opponent before meeting Purdue on January 24th.

It's Draft Day! The Drive does a draft every Tuesday and today's topic is The Best Board Games of All Time! Who won? Tell us on the socials @thedrive935 or text us at 217-359-2255.

And we give our final score predictions for tonight's game against Ohio State.

12/09/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Buckeyes Preview; Philip Rivers to the Colts; Oldest Pro Athletes; Tuesday Draft Announcement

The Illinois men's basketball team kicks off Big Ten play tonight in Columbus against The Buckeyes. We preview the game, break down the OSU roster, and more.

The Colts signed Philip Rivers to their practice squad today. It's been 5 years since Rivers threw in the NFL. Will he actually see the field? 

Speaking of which...Who are the oldest pro athletes of all time?

And it's Tuesday, so it's Draft Day! Today we're drafting The Best Board Games of All Time!

12/08/25 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer and Adam Jardy from The Columbus Dispatch talk Illini vs Buckeyes; Bears vs Packers Recap

We switch gears this hour to Illini basketball.

Adam Jardy from the Columbus Dispatch covers Ohio State Buckeyes basketball. He gives us the OSU side of things before tomorrow night's game. How will guys like Bruce Thorton and Amare Bynum match up with Illinois? 

We also get "The Great" Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer's input. Kyle breaks down Illinois' win over Tennessee on Saturday, previews the OSU game, and tells us if he could take Jelly Roll in a fight.

And the Bears lose at Lambeau. What went right and what went wrong against the Packers?

12/08/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour gets HEATED over the College Football Playoffs! Plus, J talks Illini in the Music City Bowl.

It's J Leman vs Evan Stone with Kurtis Allen as the referee! 

Evan said the committee "got it right" with their playoff selections and J completely disagrees. We dive into the bracket and the debate is incredible. Which team does J think SHOULD NOT be in the playoffs? The answer might surprise you!

Plus, we take a look at the Illini vs the Vols in the Music City Bowl on October 30th. 

This is a MUST-LISTEN hour!

12/05/25 Hour 2: Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune discusses Illini vs Vols; Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV; Friday Toasts and Game Predictions

The Drive welcomes Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune to the show! Colleen covers the Illini and gives her thoughts ahead of the game with Tennessee.

Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois and WICS-TV joins the fellas to talk Illini hoops. Carson gives his thoughts on Coach Underwood saying he'd love to play in Dubai, predictions for Saturday, and the latest injury news. Plus, Carson talks about Bret Bielema & Illini football's class of 2026.

And we've got our Friday toasts! Cheers! 

12/05/25 Hour 1: Brad Underwood's Pre-Game Press Conference (IL vs TN); Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 talks Bears vs Packers; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Championship Game

Brad Underwood met with the media before the Music City Madness game against Tennessee. We've got the full press conference for you. 

Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 Chicago joins the show with great insight ahead of Bears vs Packers. Rome Odunze is out, Christian Watson is in, and the Bears defense is getting healthy while the Packers have lost some key pieces. Who wins?

Our friend Ravi Lulla covers The Big Ten for Hurrdat Sports. He joins the show to talk about Matt Campbell to Penn State, and the B1G TEN Championship game between Ohio State & Indiana.

12/04/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal talks Illini Football & Basketball; Ben McKee from GoVols247 talks Illini vs Vols basketball; Etched In Stone "Championship Weekend Edition"

Robert Rosenthal from IlliniBoard.com joins us to talk Illini Football recruitment class of 2026, the 2025 season, and Illini basketball ahead of the Music City Showdown against Tennessee.

We also get the Tennessee perspective from Ben McKee of GoVols247. Ben breaks down the Vols' loss to Syracuse and how it affects the game on Saturday. Plus Ben shares some fantastic personal news with The Drive!

And we need some money! Etched in Stone: Championship Weekend Edition. 

LET'S GO!

12/04/25 Hour 1: Illini Football Accolades; Zack Pearson talks Bears vs Packers; Bielema's Non-Compete; Kurtis' Curveballs

Which Illini football players made the All Big Ten team? We'll break it down!

Zack Pearson from BearReport joins us ahead of the Bears vs Packers game on Sunday. Who takes control of the NFC North after Sunday? Zack gives us his insight.

Plus, Bret Bielema revealed his non-compete numbers and Kurtis throws some Curveballs!

12/03/25 Hour 2: National Signing Day Part 2 w/ Tristan Thomas; A Deep Dive into "The Best Era" of Illini Football; Sitcom Draft Winner

Our coverage of National Signing Day for Illinois Football continues. Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 joins us this hour to recap Coach Bielema's presentation to the media and the class of 2026. 

Evan Stone did an incredible deep dive into the "Best Era of Fighting Illini Football." Evan went all the way back to the 1950s, covered the most successful 5-year periods in Illinois history, and compared it to the Bielema era. The results are fascinating. A must-listen to segment!

And who won our Sitcom Draft? The margin of winning was only 2 votes!

12/03/25 Hour 1: Bret Bielema talks to ESPN 93.5; National Signing Day Part 1; Tuesday Draft Recap

It's National Signing Day for Fighting Illini Football! We'll do a deep dive into the Class of 2026 - the highest ranked class of the Bret Bielema Era (Number 21).

Coach Bielema joined ESPN 93.5 to talk about this year's class, bowl season, his family, and if he's receiving offers from other schools. 

12/02/25 Hour 2: Tuesday Draft - Best TV Sitcoms of All Time; Who will be Penn State's next head coach; Illini Recruitment Notes

It's Draft Day! Kurtis and Evan are drafting The Best TV Sitcoms of All Time.  Vote for who wins on Instagram & Twitter @TheDrive935 or text your vote to 217-359-2255.

Who will be the next head coach for Penn State? It's a mess of a situation and candidates are running out. We discuss the list and your texts.

Plus, Illini football recruitment notes.

12/02/25 Hour 1: Illini Headlines; What's Your Favorite Season of Illinois Football?; Kurtis' Curveballs; Tuesday Draft Announcement

It's a busy day for Illini men's & women's basketball, and Illini football. We dig in with today's Illini headlines.

Also, Evan is about to do a deep dive of Illini football over 5 year periods. But before he does that we want to know...What's your favorite individual season of Illinois football?

Tuesday = Draft Day! Today's draft subject: Best Sit-Coms of All Time.

And Kurtis throws out those Curveballs!

12/01/25 Hour 2: Illini Basketball Fall to UConn; Bears are TOPS in the NFC; Why aren't some Illini fans satisified with Bielema and Underwood?

The Illini men's basketball team competed, but ultimately fell to UConn at Madison Square Garden. What went right and what went wrong? Where will Brad Underwood & Co do ahead of their trip to Nashville before playing Tennessee?

Da Bears are Da Number 1 team in da NFC! The Chicago Bears handled the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday in Philly. Ben Johnson's team has won 9 of their last 10 games and are in the driver's seat the rest of the way. Next up? The Packers in Green Bay. 

A handful of texts start this conversation: Why are some Illini fans still unhappy with Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood? 

12/01/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! J talks Illini beating Northwestern, 2025 Seniors, and the program's future

The All-American J Leman is back after an Illini W! We break down Saturday's win at Geis Memorial Stadium over Northwestern, the defense's bounce-back performance, and much more.

How would J sum up the 2025 campaign? How does the coaching carousel impact Illinois? What does Illinois need to do during the offseason?

Plus we cover A LOT more from the world of college football. LET'S GOOOO!

Special Thanksgiving Show; Illini Basketball vs UConn predictions; Bears vs Eagles; Illini Football vs Northwestern Predictions

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a special episode of "The Drive" exclusive to podcast subscribers.

Brad Underwood and the Illini Men's Basketball team head to Madison Square Garden to take on the #5 ranked UConn Huskies. Tip-off is scheduled for Friday morning at 11:30am. We preview the game and give our predictions.

Friday afternoon features the Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles. Is this the biggest test for Da Bears so far? Are the Eagles vulnerable or is this a "get right" game for Philly? 

Bret Bielema leads the Illini football team into their final regular season game for Senior Night on Saturday. Snow, rain, and wind are in the forecast for the game. How will it impact Barry Lunney's offense? Will it help or hinder Aaron Henry's defense? We preview and give our score predictions.

We hope you have a great holiday weekend and thanks for listening! - The Drive

 

11/26/25 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas previews IHSA State Championships; Local Celebrity votes; Thanksgiving Draft Results; Thanksgiving Toasts

Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 previews the IHSA State Championship games! Maroa-Forsyth, Tolono-Unity, and Rochester are all playing on Friday. 

Local celebrities voted in our Thanksgiving Side Dish draft, and one vote really hurt Kurtis' feelings. It's a familiar name...

And who WON our draft? The results are crazy!

Plus, our Thanksgiving Toasts!

11/26/25 Hour 1: Illinois vs Northwestern Preview & Weather Update; Bielema Presser; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Chris Kwiezinski from Fox32; Thanksgiving Sides Draft

The Illini wrap up their regular season on Saturday night at Gies Memorial Stadium against the Northwestern Wildcats. Snow is in the forecast - who does that benefit?

We talk with Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports takes us around the Big Ten football slate. Ravi previews Ohio State vs Michigan, Washington vs Oregon, and much more.

Chris Kwicinski from Fox32 covers Northwestern athletics and the Chicago Bears. He joins us to talk about both.

11/25/25 Hour 2: Bret Bielema talks Illini Seniors; Should Luke Altmyer play in a bowl game?; Our Tuesday Draft - Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

Bret Bielema met with the media and got emotional while talking about his group of Seniors on the Illini roster. What will you think of when you look back on the 2025 season?

Also, should Luke Altmyer play in a bowl game? Kurtis and Evan say "No."

And it's our Tuesday Draft! This week we're drafting "Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes." Vote for who won @thedrive935 on Instagram, Twitter, and by texting 217-359-2255!

11/25/25 Hour 1: Illini vs UTRGV Recap; Underwood calls Illinois' performance "Doo Doo"; The Great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illinois Men's basketball beat UT Rio Grande Valley 87-73 last night. Why did Brad Underwood call the performance "Doo Doo?" 

Our guy The Great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins us to break down the game and preview Friday's match-up with UCONN at Madison Square Garden.

Plus Kurtis has a check of the other Illini headlines and throws some serious Curveballs!

11/24/25 Hour 2: Illini Men's Basketball vs UT Rio Grande Valley; Bears pull over another stunner and beat the Steelers; Our next Tuesday Draft; Kurtis' Curveballs

The Illini Men's basketball team took care of business on Saturday against Long Island University. Brad Underwood was candid in his post-game presser about the performances of Kylan Boswell and a returning Brandon Lee. Plus, Underwood's comments about what he expects out of Andrej Stojackovic and we preview tonight's game against UT Rio Grande Valley.

Also, Da Bears did it again! Chicago now sits at 8-3 after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Are they really no longer "the same ol' Bears?"

Kurtis announces our next Tuesday draft and throws CURVEBALLS right at Evan.