The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Michael Jordan made his return to the NBA family last night in an interview with Mike Tirico on NBC. We react to a few of Jordan's quotes, talk MJ's legacy as a player & an owner, and expectations for him as an analyst.

The Bears take on the Ravens this Sunday and it looks like Lamar Jackson is back. Is it bad news for the Bears? 

Plus a few nuggets for Illinois vs Washington on Saturday - weather, injury report, and more.

WCIA-3's Tristan Thomas kicks off the show with boys. We talk about the Illini players that met with the media today, Saturday's game against Washington, and the slate of Friday night football. It's the last week of regular season for IHSA play and a lot of schools are trying to land postseason bids.

Plus, Illinois Women's Gymnastics head coach Josh Nilson talks about the upcoming season and next week's Halloween event.

And Kurtis' CURVEBALLS!

Details on Curt Cignetti's historic contract at Indiana are out. We dive into the numbers and also some breaking news from the NFL, college football, & baseball.

Evan has some nuggets on the Illini defense vs the Huskies O-Line.

Plus, Kurtis introduces Evan to country star Chris Cagle's music. Chris is coming to the City Center in Champaign.

And the Bears top the NFL in a stat that shocked Kurtis.

Illini OLine Coach Bart Miller & TE Cole Rusk talked with the media today. Miller had a couple of interesting quotes about how the his unit has played so far this year and expectations going forward.

Plus, Cole Rusk talks about having his confidence back and being ready to go against Washington.

And you know Kurtis has some Curveballs for you!

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer was at State Farm Center for the exhibition against Illinois State. Kyle has great insight on Mirkovic's debut, the absences of Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic, and Tomaslav Ivisivic, & expectations for the season.

Don't look now, but the Chicago Bears have won 4 in a row! We recap the Bears' latest win against the Saints.

Plus, Kurtis is throwing some CURVEBALLS at Evan.

Illini legend and All-American Linebacker J Leman is back in studio! We talk with J about the Illini's upcoming road game with Washington, playoff chances, the college football Coaching Carousel, and STETSON COLOGNE.

Your texts continue to pour in about Illinois Football's road to different Bowl Games and our conversation continues!

Plus, there's a new Continuation Rule that goes into effect this season for NCAA basketball. You'll get your first look at it this Sunday when the Illini men's team has a scrimmage with Illinois State.

We also give you our Big Ten + 2 predictions and Friday Toasts!

Carson Gourdie covers Illinois sports for Fox Illinois and WICS-ABC 20. He also wrote a fantastic article breaking down the Illini's potential road to different Bowl Games and the Playoffs. We talk with Carson about his article and the text lines lit up!

Plus, Kurtis has some Big Ten heavy CURVEBALLS for Evan. 

Kurtis throws a bunch of Curveballs at Evan and it lead to a conversation about SEINFELD that blew up the text lines.

WE NEED MONEY! Get Evan's "Etched in Stone" bets. Follow us @thedrive935 for a bonus bet.

More on Cignetti's contract, what it means to the coaching carousel, and his buyout.

The Illini football team is on a bye this weekend. The guys discuss why it's happening at the perfect time and what it means for the game against Washington next week.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins the show to break down this weekend's Big Ten slate.

The guys react to the breaking news about Curt Cignetti's MONSTER deal at Indiana.

Our friend Tristan Thomas from WCIA 3 joins the show to talk about Bret Bielema being on the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List. Plus we dive into this week's local high school games.

Are the Brewers cursed since Flying the L? They're down 2-0 to the Dodgers and the Mariners are up 2-0 on the Blue Jays.

Former Illini player Kam Buckner is now a state representative and has proposed a bill that could keep the Bears at Soldier Field & out of Arlington Heights. 

It's an Illini-Heavy first hour of the show! All-time rebounding leader Kendall Bostic surprises the show with a phone call to discuss "Field Trip Day" and the rest of the Illini Women's Basketball home schedule.

Plus, Hank Beatty is FINALLY on Biletnikoff Watch List. We look at his stats and the other Big Ten nominees.

Kurtis has a double dose of CURVEBALLS and Evan is back in-studio to discuss the Bears win on Monday Night.

Did the Bears exercise some demons against the Commanders last night? It was a stunning victory, followed by a fired up Ben Johnson. 

Illini basketball is back! Who is the player Brad Underwood "wouldn't want to fight?" Kurtis runs through the early part of the schedule and why he thinks this team has an edge.

Illini football is on a bye week, but the next home game is SOLD OUT! Find out how you can score tickets. Plus, are they still a 10 win team?

And Kurtis gets spooky with today's Curveballs.

The Bears are coming off a bye week to play a Monday Night game against the Commanders. Find out why the bye week has been bad for the Bears and if Ben Johnson can turn things around.

The NCAA preseason Top 25 basketball rankings are out. The Illini come in at #17 in the nation and have a stacked schedule. We break it down.

Plus we give you Kurtis' CURVEBALLS, Etched in Stone Recap, and will Cignetti take the Penn State job?

It's The J Leman Hour on the Drive and the man is PUMPED today! We get J's thoughts on the Illini's performance against Ohio State.

Plus, J's son joins us with the inside scoop on how he got ON STAGE at Big Noon Kickoff.

And is it time for the Illini to become a pass-first team? J has a very passionate answer to that question. Don't miss Hour 1 of The Drive!

We talk more scheme and how Illinois can beat Ohio State.

Plus Kurtis' Curveballs, Etched in Stone, Big Ten Plus 2, and our Friday toasts!

We are hours away from the biggest game of the Bielema era. How can the Illini leave Gies Memorial Stadium tomorrow with a win over the Buckeyes? We discuss.

Plus, was last night the best the Cubs have played this postseason? We think so! The Cubs have forced a Game 5 with the Brewers.

And our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins us to break down a full slate of Big Ten Football.

Former Women's basketball head coach, Naismith Hall of Famer, and 2025 Illini Athletics Hall of Inductee Theresa Grentz joined us at Pia's in Champaign. 

Check out this incredible conversation with a trailblazer and Illini legend.

Illini Women's Soccer Head Coach Katie Hultin joins us ahead of the team's final homestand for this season. 

The Cubs jumped out on the Brewers in Game 3. Will they force a Game 4?

Plus, 2025 Illini Hall of Fame Inductees Kiwanee Garris and Theresa Grentz will join us tomorrow at Pia's in Champaign! Get the details on how you can join us and meet these Illini legends.

Is this Saturday's game against the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes the biggest in Illinois football history? It very well could be.

Plus, shoutout to the Marching Illini! They'll be participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Is it too early to talk turkey?

WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas joins us for more Illini talk and a preview of all the local high school games.

And another one of Kurtis' CURVEBALLS!