The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

6/7/24 Hour 1: Former Centennial & Louisville pitcher Luke Smith in studio!

Former Centennial High School and Louisville pitcher Luke Smith stops by the studio to share some stories from his College World Series experience, discuss the current state of baseball, and much more.

6/6/24 Hour 2: Bielema talks summer football updates; How confident are you in Luke Altmyer in 2024?

Lon and Kyle discuss their confidence level in Luke Altmyer heading into 2024. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he shares thoughts on the football program heading into summer.

6/6/24 Hour 1: Lakers to hire Dan Hurley?; Thoughts on the potential move and what it could mean for college basketball

Lon and Kyle discuss the news that the Lakers are eyeing UConn head coach Dan Hurley as their next head coach and whether they think it's a good move for Hurley. Later, Lon, Kyle and Jimmy share their thoughts on what it all could mean for college basketball and UConn.

6/4/24 Hour 2: Dates announced for Illini hoops non-con showdowns with Bama, Duke; College World Series, MLB thoughts

Lon, Kyle and Jimmy discuss Illinois basketball's loaded nonconference schedule as dates are announced for the Alabama and Duke games. Later, the guys share some thoughts on the College World Series, MLB, NBA.

6/4/24 Hour 1: 5-star Will Riley visiting Illinois; Lon's back with thoughts on Illini baseball, golf

Lon and Kyle discuss 5-star prospect Will Riley taking a visit to Illinois and what it could mean for next season's roster. Later, Lon shares his thoughts on the end of the Illini baseball and golf seasons.

5/31/24 Hour 2: How can State Farm Center environment get back to what it once was?; Cubs lose a heartbreaker

Derek and Kyle discuss how the State Farm Center can return to the nationally feared home environment it was in the 2000s. The guys also react to another heartbreaking Cubs loss.

5/31/24 Hour 1: Illini baseball set to begin NCAA Tournament run against Indiana State; Thoughts on college football video game trailer, Illinois overall

Derek and Kyle preview Illini baseball's opening game of the NCAA Tournament against Indiana State. Later, the guys share some thoughts on the latest EA College Football 25 trailer and a reveal about Illinois.

5/30/24 Hour 1: Coleman Hawkins will transfer; How does it change his Illini legacy?

Derek and Kyle discuss Coleman Hawkins withdrawing from the draft and electing to transfer and how it will change his Illinois legacy.

5/30/24 Hour 2: Hartleb talks Illini baseball's NCAA Tournament prep; Is Illinois hoops a preseason top 25 team?

Derek and Kyle talk some baseball as Illinois gets set to head to the Lexington regional of the NCAA Tournament. Hear from head coach Dan Hartleb as he shares his thoughts on the team. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss whether or not Illinois basketball should be ranked in the preseason Top 25 as currently constructed.

5/29/24 FULL SHOW: The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline has arrived; What would you advise Coleman Hawkins to do?

Derek and Kyle discuss the last day before the last NBA Draft withdrawal deadline and some of the prominent names across college basketball that have announced their decisions. Later, the guys discuss what they would advise Coleman Hawkins to do if they were his agent.

5/28/24 Hour 2: Lance Ringler (Golfweek) on issues with NCAA match play format; Max Feldman (Made Hoops) talks Jakucionis scout, ranking

Lance Ringler from Golfweek joins the show to recap Illini golf's disappointing match play performance at the NCAA Championships and airs his complaints about the match play format. Later, Max Feldman from Made Hoops joins the show to share his scouting insight on Kasparas Jakucionis.

5/28/24 Hour 1: Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis commits to Illinois; Has Illinois built another elite offensive roster?

Derek and Kyle discuss the commitment of Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis to the Illini and what he brings to the backcourt. The guys also discuss how good the Illini could be offensively with the variety of pieces they've added during the offseason.

5/24/24 Hour 2: Gearing up for the first Cards-Cubs series; Brian Ames previews the Indy 500

Brian Ames joins the guys to preview the Indy 500 this weekend. Later, the guys discuss the upcoming Cardinals-Cubs series in St. Louis.

5/24/24 Hour 1: Thoughts on the NCAA settlement & the future of college athletics

Lon and Derek discuss the landscape-changing settlement involving the NCAA and the framework in place for athletic departments to pay college athletes in the near future. What does that mean for the future of college sports and Illinois?

5/23/24 Hour 2: Excitement building for EA College Football video game; Piper talks latest batch of Illini hoops targets

Derek and Kyle discuss their excitement level for the new EA college football video game set to launch in July and how different the game will be from its last release in 2014. Later, Derek shares his thoughts on the latest Illini hoops targets, including another intriguing overseas name.

5/23/24 Hour 1: Illini baseball stays alive in BTT after controversial call; Have some sports rules changes gone too far?

Derek and Kyle discuss Illini baseball knocking off Iowa in 10 innings to stay alive at the Big Ten Tournament after a controversial interference call. The guys talk about if some rule changes in sports have gone too far and made things too soft in the modern era.

5/21/24 Hour 2: Barry Houser (Marching Illini Director) joins the show; Mike Small talks golf national championships

Lon and Kyle discuss the Cardinals and Cubs heading in opposite directions as of late. Marching Illini Director Barry Houser joins the show. Later, hear from Illini men's golf coach Mike Small ahead of the national championships in California.

5/21/24 Hour 1: What's the biggest need left for Illini football?; New DB coach Corey Parker brings electricity to intro presser

Lon and Kyle discuss what the biggest need is left for Illinois football following some of their spring transfer portal additions. Later, hear from new DB coach Corey Parker who brings a lot of energy in his introductory press conference.

5/20/24 Hour 2: House v. NCAA settlement could change college sports with revenue sharing; Piper recaps EYBL weekend, Illini targets

Lon and Derek discuss how the House v. NCAA settlement set to take vote this week could change college sports and how revenue sharing could create problems for college athletics programs. Later, Derek shares his insight from the weekend watching the Nike EYBL tournament in Indy and some of the Illini's top targets.

5/20/24 Hour 1: Illini baseball sweeps Purdue to clinch outright Big Ten title; How solidified is their NCAA Tournament resume?

Lon and Derek discuss Illini baseball's impressive sweep of Purdue to take home their first Big Ten regular season title since 2015. The guys break down if they've done enough to make the NCAA Tournament to this point.