The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Josh Whitman placed Illinois Wrestling coach Mike Poeta on indefinite administrative leave. The university said the decision stems from “potential violations of his employment agreement stemming from possible noncompliance with University fiscal control policies.” We have the latest.

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins us to talk about the Braggin' Rights game. Plus, more Illini basketball nuggets.

Evan gets a whole minute to talk about his favorite soccer team and Kurtis throws the Curveballs!

Ally Schneipp and Joseph Pasthila cover Mizzou Basketball for the Columbia Missourian. They join us to talk about Monday's Braggin' Rights game between the Illini and Tigers. Why is this more than a rivalry game for the Mizzou Tigers this year? How will the Illini respond after the home loss to Nebraska?

We need some money! Evan has your 5 bets for this weekend and a few games to stay away from. 

Plus, the Cardinals are looking to offload talent while the Cubs added a few depth pieces. And more on Bears vs Packers.

Andy Villamazaro is a national writer for RIVALS and covers high school sports. He wrote about the new changes to the IHSA Football Playoffs system and how it affects area schools. He joins us to further explain the changes, the pros and cons, and how it affects recruiting.

We also check the Illini Headlines, the Bears are down 2 big weapons against the Packers, and Kurtis is firing Curveballs.

Nathalie Jones is an award-winning Sports Director for ABC-17 in Columbia, MO and covers the Mizzou Tigers. She joins the show this hour to talk about the Braggin' Rights Game.

This week's draft had more votes than any other so far! So who won our Christmas Movies Draft? 

Plus we take a look at the NFL Playoff picture and who could be on their way to the Super Bowl.

Dave Wischnowsky returns to ESPN 93.5 to talk Illini athletics! Dave gives his thoughts on Luke Altmyer playing in the Music City Bowl, Illini basketball & the Braggin' Rights game against Mizzou, and much more! A must-listen conversation!

Plus we give you a check of today's Illini headlines, a recap of our Tuesday Draft, and Kurtis' Curveballs.

The College Football Playoffs start on Friday night and we make our predictions. Kurtis and Evan both have upsets in their brackets, but who wins the Natty?

Tuesday is Draft Day and we're celebrating the holiday season! We're drafting the Best Christmas Movies of All Time! Who won? Which movies did we miss? Vote on Twitter & Instagram @thedrive935, on the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page, or text your vote to 217-359-2255!

Luke Altmyer met with the media and discussed his decision to play in the Music City Bowl. We react to Luke's comments and give you a check of today's Illini Headlines.

The IHSA voted "YES" on Propsal 19, which will expand the post season from 256 to 384 teams. The news has been met with mixed reactions. We explain the changes and give our reactions.

Plus, Evan and Kurtis go head-to-head with College Playoff Predictions! Who's winning the national championship?

Another Balkan is coming to town! Croatian Forward Toni Bilic has committed to Illinois and is eligible to play. What does the 6'9" 20-year-old bring to Brad Underwood's team? 

Also, reactions continue to pour in after the Illini's loss against Nebraska on Saturday. What's next for the Illini and what adjustments are in the immediate future?

The Chicago Bears destroyed the Cleveland Browns yesterday at Soldier Field. Our intern Cooper O'Kelly was there and enjoyed wind-chills of up to -20! 

Plus Philip Rivers almost wins, Bo Nix and the Broncos beat the Packers, we announce our next Tuesday Draft, and Kurtis heaves some Curveballs!

J Leman is back in studio for a full hour on The Drive! The conversation starts with football and moves to basketball.

We talk about the risk/reward of Luke Altmyer playing in the Music City Bowl. Plus, JC Davis and Gabe Jacas are sitting out of the game. The Tennessee Vols are currently sitting at 3 point favorites. 

Plus, J gives his thoughts on Brad Underwood calling out David Mirkovic's poor practices ahead of the game against Nebraska. This caused the text lines to BLOW up! 

BREAKING Illini news - Luke Altmyer WILL play in the Music City Bowl. We react to the news and what it means for Illinois vs Tennessee.

Carson Gourdie covers the Illini for WICS-TV. We get his reaction to the Altmyer news and his thoughts on Illinois basketball's game against Nebraska.

Plus score predictions for Illinois vs Nebraska and our Friday Toasts!

Illini football's Gabe Jacas has officially declared for the NFL Draft and will not play in the Music City Bowl. We look back on Gabe's career at Illinois and look at potential fits at the NFL level.

Brad Underwood met with the media ahead of tomorrow's game against #23 Nebraska at State Farm Center. We have the full press conference this hour.

The Sherrone Moore-Michigan story has another twist. We have the latest news and what's next for the Wolverines.

And Kurtis throws them Curveballs!

Cooper O'Kelly covers the Illini for The Champaign Room and has joined The Drive in an intern role. We dive into the numbers ahead of Saturday's game.

Plus more on the conditions at Soldier Field this Sunday, the coldest games YOU have ever attended, Notre Dame upsets the rest of college football, and Philip Rivers is in line to START for the Colts!

We have the latest on Sherrone Moore's firing at Michingan, the future of the program, potential coaching replacements, what the university knew, and much more. 

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk about Saturday's game between the Illini and Cornhuskers. What will be the biggest challenge for Illinois?

And we found out Cooper O'Kelly is going to the Bears game on Sunday. The wind chill will be -20! What's the coldest game you ever attended?

NCAA National Champion Lucas Byrd joins us this hour to talk the 2025-2026 Wrestling Season, his career, and much more. 

More reactions to Michigan's firing of Sherrone Moore "for cause." More details emerge this hour.

The votes have been tallied and we have a winner in our Best Board Games Draft! Who got your vote?

The Illinois Men's basketball team went to Columbus last night and walked out with a W. We break down the game.

Also, Isaac Trotter from 247 Sports & CBS Sports joins us to discuss Keaton Wagler's performance, the state of Illini basketball, and Big Ten hoops.

And BREAKING NEWS! Sherrone Moore has been fired as Michigan's head coach after an internal investigation. 

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.

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!

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?

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!

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!