The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

4/15/24 Hour 1: Piper shares his thoughts on Boswell's commitment, Booth and Maddox visits

Lon and Derek discuss Kylan Boswell's commitment to Illinois and what he'll bring to the backcourt. Derek also shares his thoughts on the visits of Carey Booth and Dante Maddox and where Illinois stands on each.

4/12/24 Hour 2: Updating Illini's pursuit of AJ Storr; When do NIL demands become too much?

Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini's pursuit of Wisconsin transfer AJ Storr and talk about at what point NIL demands can become too high and unattainable for a program like Illinois. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the portal activity across the Big Ten.

4/12/24 Hour 1: Trevor Vallese recaps his trip to the Final Four, talks Illini & coaching carousel

Former Drive producer Trevor Vallese joins the show to share some stories from his trip to Phoenix for the Final Four as well as weigh on the crazy college basketball coaching carousel and the Illini's exciting tournament run.

4/11/24 Hour 2: Will Calipari change his roster building approach at Arkansas?; What to make of Illini's pursuit of multi-year transfers

Derek and Kyle discuss whether or not John Calipari will be able to continue the same roster-building approach at Arkansas and what it takes to build a successful roster in the new age of college basketball. The guys also discuss if Brad Underwood and his staff have a multi-year plan in mind based on their transfer portal strategy.

4/11/24 Hour 1: Scott Drew says no to Kentucky - Where do they go next?; Closing time on Boswell?

Derek and Kyle discuss where Kentucky goes next after Scott Drew turned them down and how far down their list Brad Underwood would be. Later, the guys discuss Kylan Boswell and Illini's opportunity to close him.

4/10/24 FULL SHOW: Piper's thoughts on Tre White commitment and how he fits; Kylan Boswell set to visit Champaign

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on Illinois landing a commitment from Tre White out of Louisville and how he fits on next year's roster. Later, Derek shares an update on Kylan Boswell's scheduled visit and what landing him would mean for Illinois.

4/9/24 Hour 2: Luke Goode in studio!; Elite 8 run, UConn's dominance & transfer portal activity

Illinois forward Luke Goode stops by the studio to chat with Lon and Derek about the end of the Illini's season and NCAA Tournament run along with his thoughts on the offseason and the transfer portal era of college basketball.

4/9/24 Hour 1: Jase Butler decommits from Illinois — how should Illinois approach high school recruiting?; Calipari leaving Kentucky

Lon and Derek discuss Jase Butler decommitting from Illinois and what it says about how college basketball teams, and Illinois specifically, now approach high school recruiting. Later, the guys discuss John Calipari leaving Kentucky and options for the massive job opening.

4/5/24 Hour 1: NL Central thoughts amid encouraging starts for Cubs and Cardinals; Transfer portal names to eye for Illini

Derek and Kyle discuss encouraging starts to the season for the Cubs and Cardinals and what to make of what appears to be a competitive NL Central race in 2024. Later, Derek shares some portal updates and the guys discuss some potential fits for Illinois.

4/2/24 Hour 2: Creating an NIL budget for Illinois hoops; Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) on NCAA Tournament travels, women's WBIT run

Lon and Derek create a list of their top transfer portal needs for Illinois basketball and create an NIL budget to distribute to each need. Later, Joey Wagner from Illini Inquirer joins the show to talk about his travels during the Illini's NCAA Tournament run and share his thoughts on the women's team's WBIT run.

4/2/24 Hour 1: Can Illinois land AJ Storr in the portal?; Which throwback Illini jerseys would we want?

Lon and Derek discuss AJ Storr entering the transfer portal and if Illinois has a realistic chance to bring him to Champaign. Later, the guys discuss which throwback Illini jerseys they would most want to purchase.

4/1/24 Hour 2: Will any other Illini hit the portal?; Who could Illinois target in early transfer cycle?

Derek and Kyle discuss whether they think any other current Illini players could follow Dainja in hitting the transfer portal. Later, the guys hit on some potential transfer targets for the Illini in the early cycle and what their approach will be.

4/1/24 Hour 1: Illini's tourney run ends with thumping by UConn; Dain Dainja enters transfer portal

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's 77-52 loss to UConn in the Elite 8 to end their tournament run and what went so awry in the matchup against Donovan Clingan. Later, the guys share their reactions to Dain Dainja entering the transfer portal.

3/27/24 Hour 2: Luke Goode on wins over Duquesne & Morehead State plus Sweet 16 experience; Derek Piper shares thoughts on Illinois-Iowa State matchup

Luke Goode joins the show to discuss the team's two wins over Duquesne and Morehead State and his experience at the Sweet 16. Later, Derek Piper joins the show to share his thoughts on the Illinois and Iowa State. Hear from Coleman Hawkins, Marcus Domask and Quincy Guerrier ahead of the game.

3/27/24 Hour 1: Jeff DuBrof (KCCI Des Moines) previews Iowa State; Sean Harrington (Former Illini G) dives deep on Illinois-Iowa State matchups

KCCI TV sports anchor Jeff DuBrof joins the show to share his insight about Iowa State and their style of play. Later, former Illinois guard Sean Harrington joins the show to dive deep into some of the most fascinating Xs and Os matchups between Illinois' offense and Iowa State's defense.

3/26/24 Hour 2: Sweet 16 watchability rankings; Bielema shares spring football updates

Lon and Kyle rank the Sweet 16 matchups based on watchability and share their predictions for each game. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he shares some Illini football updates during spring football practices.

3/26/24 Hour 1: Keys for Illini in matchup vs Iowa State; Underwood talks Sweet 16 on BTN

Lon and Kyle discuss the biggest keys for Illinois in their matchup against Iowa State and break down how the Cyclones will try to guard the Illini. Later, hear from Brad Underwood during an interview with the Big Ten Network about his team's Sweet 16 berth.

3/25/24 Hour 2: Round of 32 thoughts from across the tournament; Underwood, Domask, Hawkins postgame; Cubs/Cardinals ESPN win projections

Lon and Kyle share some thoughts from the weekend's Round of 32 results from across the NCAA Tournament and recap some of the most exciting games. Hear from Brad Underwood, Marcus Domask, and Coleman Hawkins following the win over Duquesne. Later, the guys react to ESPN's projected win totals for the Cubs and Cardinals ahead of Opening Day.

3/25/24 Hour 1: Illini are headed to the Sweet 16!; Derek Piper recaps the weekend in Omaha and what's ahead

Lon and Kyle recap the Illini's blowout win over Duquesne to reach the program's first Sweet 16 since 2005 and share their confidence level in Illinois' current form being able to keep advancing in Boston. Later, Derek Piper joins the show to recap his weekend in Omaha and share his thoughts on the Illini's run.

3/22/24 Hour 2: Underwood, Domask, Dainja after win over Morehead State; Derek Piper joins the show to recap Illinois-Morehead State and look ahead to Duquesne

Hear from Brad Underwood, Marcus Domask, and Dain Dainja postgame following the Illini's Round of 64 win over Morehead State. Later, Derek Piper joins the show to share his thoughts on the Illini's second half surge against Morehead State and preview the matchup against Duquesne in the Round of 32.