The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

6/27/24 Hour 1: Terrence Shannon drafted in the first round by the Timberwolves; What makes Minnesota a good fit?

Lon and Derek discuss Terrence Shannon Jr. being drafted 27th overall by the Timberwolves in the NBA Draft and what makes Minnesota a great fit and opportunity for Shannon.

6/25/24 Hour 2: How much do the Cubs miss Willson Contreras; Jeff Jones (Belleville News-Democrat) talks Cardinals' resurgence

Lon, Derek and Kyle discuss yet another blown Cubs save and how much they miss Willson Contreras. Later, Jeff Jones from the Belleville News-Democrat joins the show to share his insight on how the Cardinals have managed to turn things around and put themselves in the playoff mix.

6/25/24 Hour 1: How will Terrence Shannon Jr. translate to the NBA?; Illini's history of first round draft picks

Lon and Derek discuss Terrence Shannon Jr.'s NBA Draft stock and how his game could translate to the NBA right away. The guys go through some of the Illini's past first round picks and how they panned out.

6/24/24 Hour 2: Is Will Riley a starter from Day One?; Underwood talks Riley, Shannon, brand new roster

Lon and Derek discuss whether they think Will Riley will start for Illinois from day one and some other high school targets on Orlando Antigua's radar. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he discusses the Riley addition, Terrence Shannon's upcoming NBA Draft selection, and more.

6/24/24 Hour 1: Will Riley commits to Illinois!; What it says about Illini's step-up in recruiting and where Illinois program has risen to

Lon and Derek discuss Illinois landing a commitment from 5-star wing Will Riley and the statement it makes about how much Brad Underwood and co. have stepped up their recruiting prowess. The guys discuss how far the Illinois program has come from a recruiting perspective.

6/21/24 Hour 2: Lakers hire JJ Redick; Piper's Will Riley feel pre-decision; Lunney talks Franklin addition

Derek, Kyle and Jimmy discuss the Lakers hiring JJ Redick and whether they think it can work along with ESPN's latest mock draft and Terrence Shanon's draft position. Derek gives his final vibe on Will Riley's upcoming decision. Hear from Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney on reuniting with Zakhari Franklin and his offense.

6/21/24 Hour 1: Could college sports be headed towards a super-conference or tier system?; Where does Illinois fall in the current college sports landscape?

Derek, Kyle and Jimmy discuss Josh Whitman's comments about a "cut line" in college athletics and where Illinois stands in a college sports world that includes the biggest powers separating at the top.

6/20/24 Hour 2: What's the latest on revenue sharing in college athletics and Title IX's impact?; Josh Whitman meets with the media

Derek, Kyle and Jimmy discuss the latest news surrounding revenue sharing in college sports and how Title IX can complicate things. Later, hear from Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman as he meets with the media during his annual roundtable.

6/20/24 Hour 1: Terrence Shannon's jersey to officially be honored in rafters; Illini to play Arkansas on Thanksgiving

Derek and Kyle discuss Josh Whitman's announcement that Terrence Shannon Jr.'s jersey will be honored in the rafters. Later, Derek, Kyle and Jimmy discuss Illinois' latest addition to its nonconference schedule with a matchup against Arkansas on Thanksgiving.

6/19/24 Hour 2: Making sense of mess of an NL Wild Card race; Bret Behrens (WCIA) reflects on TV career

Lon, Derek and Kyle discuss the mess of an NL Wild Card race that includes the Cubs and Cardinals. Later, Bret Behrens from WCIA joins the show to reflect on his fondest TV memories as he prepares to leave the station.

6/19/24 Hour 1: Mike Claiborne remembers the life & legacy of Willie Mays; Where does he rank all-time?

Mike Claiborne joins the show to share his thoughts and stories about Willie Mays amid his passing. Lon and Derek discuss his remarkable career and where he ranks all-time in baseball history.

6/18/24 FULL SHOW: Celtics win NBA Finals; Cubs have hit rock bottom; Will Riley nearing decision

Lon and Derek discuss the Celtics cruising their way to an NBA Championship and how dominant they've been throughout the season. Kyle airs his sorrows about the state of the Cubs. Derek updates the final stages of Will Riley's recruitment with a decision imminent.

6/17/24 Hour 2: Coleman Hawkins to Kansas State; Illini land Zakhari Franklin; Bielema talks latest additions

Lon and Derek discuss Coleman Hawkins committing to Kansas State and Illini football landing WR transfer Zakhari Franklin. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he shares thoughts on Franklin and his team heading into the summer.

6/17/24 Hour 1: Reaction to Not Guilty verdict in Terrence Shannon trial; Should his jersey hang in the rafters?

Lon and Derek share their reactions to Terrence Shannon Jr. being found not guilty of rape in the ongoing Kansas trial and reflect back on everything that's transpired over the past six months. Later, the guys discuss why Shannon's jersey should go up in the State Farm Center rafters.

6/12/24 Hour 2: Depressing state of Cards & Cubs; Bret Bielema on late transfer additions & summer workouts

Derek and intern Jimmy Sobeski air out their frustrations regarding the last-placed Cardinals and Cubs. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he discusses the program's recent transfer adds and what he's looking for this summer.

6/12/24 Hour 1: Marlee Wierda (7News Boston) on NBA Finals; Isaac Trotter (247Sports) on Will Riley & top freshmen in B1G

Derek and intern Jimmy Sobeski are joined by Marlee Wierda from 7News in Boston to preview Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Later, Isaac Trotter from 247Sports joins the show to talk about 5-star wing Will Riley, how he'd fit at Illinois and other top freshmen to watch in the Big Ten next season.

6/11/24 Hour 2: Does Lon have terrible candy takes?; Do you believe in Bret Bielema?

Lon, Derek and Joey spend a segment talking candy. Later, Joey gives his thoughts on where Luke Altmyer stands in the Big Ten QB pecking order and the guys talk about the direction of the program under Bret Bielema.

6/11/24 Hour 1: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) in-studio; Thoughts on Illini football's late surge in the portal

Joey Wagner of Illini Inquirer joins the guys in studio. They talk about the Illinois beat and later, discuss Zakhari Franklin and Illini football's late push in the transfer portal

6/10/24 Hour 1: Hurley spurns the Lakers to stay at UConn

Lon and Derek discuss Dan Hurley's decision to stay at UCONN rather than taking the Lakers job. What does that mean for college hoops?

6/7/24 Hour 2: Does Illinois basketball need an alpha? "Who Ya Got?" with Hans Dee

Lon, Kyle and Hans discuss whether they have concerns about Illini basketball's team chemistry for the upcoming season and if an alpha needs to emerge. Later, Hans Dee leads his award-winning segment "Who Ya Got?"