The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

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.

10/30/24 Hour 2: More notable CBB exhibition results; Lunney on offensive keys against Minnesota

Derek and Kyle continue discussing some notable college hoops exhibition results from around the country. Later, hear from offensive coordinator Barry Lunney as he discusses his offense ahead of this weekend's game against Minnesota.

10/30/24 Hour 1: Can Yankees make this World Series interesting?; Notable CBB exhibition results

Derek and Kyle discuss the fan interference controversy at the World Series and whether they think the Yankees can make it a series again. The guys go through some notable exhibition results around college basketball.

10/29/24 Hour 2: How important would a 9 or 10 win season be for Illinois?; Altmyer, Bielema on moving on from Oregon, A few more hoops thoughts

Derek and Kyle discuss what a 9 or 10-win season could do for the Illinois football program. Hear from Luke Altmyer and Bret Bielema as they discuss moving on from the Oregon loss. Later, the guys share a few more Illini hoops thoughts coming off the exhibition against Ole Miss.

10/29/24 Hour 1: Thoughts on Minnesota being favored against Illini; Could Cignetti be poached following Indiana's breakthrough season?

Derek and Kyle discuss how surprised they are at Minnesota coming into Champaign as a favorite. The guys also talk about how important this game is for Illinois, and whether Curt Cignetti could be poached from Indiana this offseason. 

10/28/24 Hour 2: Thoughts on Illinois/Ole Miss exhibition; Any level of concern?; How much can this team improve defensively?

Lon, Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's rough exhibition showing at Ole Miss and whether they have any level of concern moving forward. The guys also discuss how much they believe this group can improve defensively?

10/28/24 J LEMAN HOUR: Illini dominated by Oregon 38-9; What went so wrong?; Previewing a massive November stretch

J Leman joins Lon and Derek for his weekly football hour to break down the Illini's 38-9 loss at Oregon and how things got away so quickly for Illinois. The guys also preview the upcoming matchup with an improving Minnesota team and a crucial month for November for the program.

10/25/24 Hour 2: Final thoughts before Illinois-Oregon; Who Ya Got? weekend picks

Lon and Kyle give some final thoughts about what they're expecting when Illinois travels to Oregon. Hear from wide receiver Pat Bryant as he discusses his big year and the opportunity ahead. Later, the guys look ahead to the weekend and do some "Who Ya Got?" without Hans Dee.

10/25/24 Hour 1: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) previews Illini-Oregon matchup; Are you ok with house money approach to this game?

Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner joins the show to preview the Illini's matchup with Oregon. Lon and Kyle discuss if they're ok taking a house money approach to this game or whether fans should be getting a little greedier.