The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

3/22/24 Hour 1: Illini use second half surge to advance past Morehead State; How significant will a Sweet 16 appearance be for the program?

Lon and Kyle discuss the Illini's 85-69 win over Morehead State in the Round of 64 and the second half run that allowed them to take control of the game. The guys also share their thoughts on what a win Saturday against Duquesne would mean for the program but also what this team's ceiling could ultimately be.

3/20/24 Hour 2: Previewing Thursday's NCAA Tournament slate; Underwood audio; Derek Piper live from Omaha sets the stage for Illinois-Morehead State

Lon and Kyle sift through Thursday's Round of 64 slate and discuss the matchups they're most intrigued to watch. Hear from Brad Underwood ahead of his team's NCAA Tournament Round of 64 game. Later, Derek Piper joins the show live from Omaha to share his thoughts on Illinois and Morehead State.

3/20/24 Hour 1: Virginia gets the tournament off to an ugly start; Chuck Mraz (Morehead State PBP voice) previews Eagles

Lon and Kyle discuss Virginia's disastrous performance to kick off the NCAA Tournament and how important a fast start will be for Illinois against Morehead State. Later, Morehead State play-by-announcer Chuck Mraz joins the show to share his insight into the Eagles and their chances.

3/19/24 Hour 2: Luke Goode on Big Ten Championship & NCAA Tourney prep; Bielema shares football updates ahead of spring ball

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show to talk about winning the Big Ten Championship, his performance against Nebraska, and preparing for the NCAA Tournament and what the experience is like. Later, hear from Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema as he hits on a variety of topics ahead of the start of spring practice.

3/19/24 Hour 1: Initial thoughts on Illini's matchup with Morehead State; NCAA Tournament bracket picks

Lon and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's Round of 64 matchup against Morehead State and players that could cause problems for the Illini. Later, the guys give the NCAA Tournament bracket picks.

3/18/24 Hour 2: More thoughts on Illini's Big Ten Tournament title; Underwood, Hawkins, Domask after championship game

Lon and Kyle share some more thoughts on the Illini's Big Ten tournament title run and where the team is at heading into the Big Dance. Later, hear from Brad Underwood, Coleman Hawkins and Marcus Domask following the championship game.

3/18/24 Hour 1: Lon's not happy with Illini's NCAA Tournament draw; Derek Piper recaps Big Ten tournament run and shares thoughts on draw

Lon and Kyle discuss the Illini's NCAA Tournament draw and Lon goes on a rant about Illinois constantly playing in the hardest region. Later, Derek Piper joins the show from the road to share his thoughts on the Illini's Big Ten title run and tournament matchups.

3/7/24 Hour 2: What to make of the state of college basketball, the transfer portal, NIL, & what's ahead

Lon and Derek have an in-depth discussion about the state of college basketball and if the transfer portal and NIL has gone too far. The guys share their thoughts on what the future could look like for Illinois and college basketball as a whole.

3/7/24 Hour 1: Does the Big Ten Tournament have the same meaning as it once did?; Which 3 and 4 seeds does the Illini's resume compare with?

Lon and Derek share some thoughts on the Illini's loss to Purdue and if the Big Ten Tournament has lost meaning over the years. The guys also compare the Illini's resume to other teams projected to be in their same seed range.

3/6/24 Hour 2: Would a Sweet 16 berth be a great season for Illinois?; Seeding possibilities for Illini after the loss

Derek and Kyle discuss whether or not a Sweet 16 appearance would qualify as a "great" season for Illinois. The guys also break down more of the Illini's loss to Purdue and discuss seeding possibilities in the NCAA Tournament following the loss.

3/6/24 Hour 1: Illini fall short against Purdue; Luke Goode on loss, Senior Night & preparing for March

Derek and Kyle recap the Illini's 77-71 loss to Purdue and why they fell short late. Later, Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show to share his thoughts on the game, explain why he walked on Senior Night, and discuss the team's approach heading into the postseason.

3/4/24 Hour 2: Should Underwood shake up starting lineup against Purdue?; Hawkins, Domask audio ahead of Senior Night

Lon and Derek discuss whether Brad Underwood should shake up the Illini's starting lineup and start Justin Harmon over Ty Rodgers against Purdue. Later, hear from seniors Coleman Hawkins and Marcus Domask ahead of Senior Night festivities.

3/4/24 Hour 1: Domask leads Illini past Badgers in dominant homecoming; How did the win impact Illinois' seeding possibilities?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's win in Madison and Marcus Domask's dominant homecoming performance back in his home state. Later, the guys discuss how Illinois can improve its seed following the win.

3/1/24 Hour 2: Will defense remain the focus for Illinois heading into March?; Underwood previews Badgers; Isaiah Williams at NFL Combine

Derek and Joey Wagner discuss if the Illini's defensive struggles will remain the top storyline heading into March and what even small improvement could mean for their postseason chances. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he previews Wisconsin and Isaiah Williams from the NFL Combine.

3/1/24 Hour 1: Nick Allegretti (Former Illini OL) on third Super Bowl & looming free agency; What can Illinois prove with a win at Wisconsin?

Former Illinois offensive lineman and current Chiefs guard Nick Allegretti joins the show to discuss winning his third Super Bowl and what it's been like playing for the Chiefs and with Patrick Mahomes. Later, Derek and guest co-host Joey Wagner preview the Illini's game with Wisconsin and what they can prove with a win in Madison.

2/29/24 Hour 2: What tweaks could be made defensively before the postseason?; Where does Terrence Shannon stack up nationally?

Derek and Kyle discuss if there are any defensive tweaks to be made before the postseason to improve on that end. Later, the guys talk about where Terrence Shannon Jr. stacks up nationally among two-way players.

2/29/24 Hour 1: Luke Goode on offensive explosion & close to regular season approaching; What to make of Illinois' profile heading into March

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to discuss the Illini's win over Minnesota and what lies ahead to finish the regular season. Later, Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's offensive and defensive profile heading into March.

2/28/24 Hour 2: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) on NFL Draft Combine; Ryan James (Gopher Illustrated) on Illinois-Minnesota

Joey Wagner of Illini Inquirer joins Derek to talk about Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph's media availability at the NFL Draft Combine on Wednesday. Later, Ryan James of Gopher Illustrated fills us in on Minnesota and his thoughts on the matchup against Illinois.

2/28/24 Hour 1: Isaac Trotter (247Sports) on Illini hoops' Big Dance profile & will Sean Miller take the OSU job?; Previewing Illinois-Minny

Derek previews Illinois' matchup against Minnesota coming up on Wednesday night and what he's looking for. Later, Isaac Trotter of 247Sports joins the show to give his take on Illinois & how its rounding into form heading toward March. He also talks about the Ohio State coaching vacancy and whether Indiana will open up or not.

2/27/24 Hour 2: All-Big Ten Illini Killer Team; Underwood previews Gophers

Lon and Derek put together an All-Big Ten Illini Killer team of active players and players throughout the Underwood era. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he shares thoughts from his team's win over Iowa and previews the game against Minnesota.