The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

12/5/24 Hour 2: Reacting to crazy night of college hoops; Bielema talks Signing Day class; Pat Bryant opts out of bowl game

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on a wild night of college basketball including how scary Duke can become and North Carolina's struggles. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he breaks down his 2025 National Signing Day class. The guys also discuss Pat Bryant electing to not play in the Illini's bowl game.

12/5/24 Hour 1: Number 1 likely coming to Champaign next weekend after night of upsets; Previewing Illinois-Northwestern

Derek and Kyle discuss Illinois likely getting a chance to host #1 Tennessee next weekend and how important that opportunity will be for the Illini's resume. The guys also preview the Illini's upcoming matchup with Northwestern and some things they'll be watching in the team's first road game.

12/4/24 Hour 2: Who would you put your money on to win the Big Ten today?; Piper weighs on on Bears coaching candidates

Derek and Kyle make their picks for who they would put their money on to win the Big Ten in basketball and run through some of the top candidates. Later, Derek shares his thoughts on a few Bears head coaching candidates.

12/4/24 Hour 1: Thoughts on Illini football's National Signing Day class; Big Ten hoops gets off to exciting start

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on Illini football's National Signing Day class and the recruiting trajectory Bret Bielema and the Illini staff are on. The guys also react to two exciting Big Ten games to kick off conference play.

12/3/24 Hour 2: Trio of Illini appear in latest NBA Draft projection; Big Ten conference play set to tip off

Lon and Derek share their thoughts on the latest NBA Draft projections, which include one Illini rising all the way into the top 5 and a trio of Illini players in total. Later, the guys discuss the Illini volleyball team's NCAA Tournament berth and the first night of conference play in Big Ten hoops.

12/3/24 Hour 1: Pat Bryant snubbed from All-Big Ten 1st Team; Michael O'Brien (Chicago Sun Times) weighs in on public vs. private school debate

Lon and Derek discuss the release of the All-Big Ten football teams and react to Pat Bryant being left off the All-Big Ten first team. Later, Chicago Sun Times high school sports editor Michael O'Brien joins the show to share his insight into the IHSA's public vs. private school debate and state championship game imbalance.

12/2/24 Hour 2: Illini impress in Thanksgiving victory over Arkansas; How would you guard this Illinois offense?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's 90-77 Thanksgiving win over Arkansas and what made the Illini's performance so impressive. The guys also discuss how they would try guarding the Illinois offense and some gripes about the latest AP Poll.

12/2/24 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Illini take back the hat and reach 9 wins; College Football Playoff rankings thoughts

J Leman joins Lon and Derek for his weekly football hour to break down the Illini's 38-28 rivalry victory over Northwestern and reaching 9 wins for the first time since 2007. The guys also discuss Bret Bielema's tweets lobbying for the Illini's playoff resume and some of the college football playoff rankings arguments heading into conference championship weekend.

11/26/24 Hour 2: UCONN goes down again; Weber or Groce?; Underwood on Little Rock win

Derek discusses UCONN's losses at Maui and Dan Hurley's craving for the villain role. Later, hear from Brad Underwood after Monday's game. Also, a texter asks if you'd rather have Bruce Weber or John Groce.

11/26/24 Hour 1: Illini MBB steamrolls Little Rock; Are you buying the defensive progress?

Lon and Derek discuss Illinois' blowout win over Little Rock on Monday night. Would you say this team is better defensively than last year or is it too early?

11/25/24 Hour 2: Ed Cooley takes shot at Illinois; Previewing Little Rock

Lon and Derek give their take on Ed Cooley's shot at Illinois in Saturday's postgame. Later, they take a look at tonight's matchup against Little Rock.

11/25/24 J LEMAN HOUR: Illini win a thriller at Rutgers; Citrus Bowl bound?

J Leman joins the guys to break down Illinois' thrilling win at Rutgers on Saturday. Later, they discuss the Illini's bowl outlook and whether Indiana should still make the CFP.

11/22/24 Hour 2: Does Illinois need one of its freshmen to turn into a star?; Illinois-Rutgers preview; Weekend picks

Derek and Kyle discuss whether Illinois needs one its freshmen to emerge as a true star by the end of the year to ultimately have success. Later, the guys preview the Illinois-Rutgers matchup and share some picks for the weekend sports action.

11/22/24 Hour 1: Piper weighs in on Illini loss to Bama and shares his biggest takeaways; Is it good or bad that veterans are the slow starters?

Derek returns and gives his take on the Illini's loss to Alabama and discusses how fixable some of the defensive issues are long term. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss whether it's a good or bad thing that the Illini's veteran guys are the ones that have started the season slow.

11/21/24 Hour 2: More Illinois-Alabama reaction; Bielema talks Illinois-Rutgers; NFL standings update

Lon and Kyle continue talking Illinois-Alabama and share their thoughts on Kylan Boswell's big night and the early signs from the Illini's freshmen. Hear from Bret Bielema as he previews his team's matchup with Rutgers. Later, the guys talk a little NFL and take a look at the current playoff picture.

11/21/24 Hour 1: Bama flies past Illini in high-scoring affair; How concerned are you with lack of defense?

Lon and Kyle break down the Illini's 100-87 loss to Alabama and discuss whether or not it altered their opinion of this team. Later, the guys discuss their level of concern about the Illini's struggling defense in the early going.

11/20/24 Hour 2: Early thoughts on Illinois-Rutgers matchup; Biggest keys for Illinois against Alabama

Lon and Kyle share some thoughts on Illini football's upcoming matchup with Rutgers and how important the last 2 games are for Aaron Henry and his defense. Later, the guys give their biggest keys and a prediction for the Illinois-Alabama game.

11/20/24 Hour 1: Piper live from Birmingham previews Illinois-Alabama; Matt Leng talks IHSA football playoffs

Derek Piper joins the show live from Birmingham to preview the key matchups he's watching in the Illinois-Alabama game. Later, Matt Leng from the 3rd and Leng podcast joins the show to break down the biggest local matchups of the weekend in the IHSA playoffs.

11/19/24 Hour 2: Cody Goodwin (Bama247) previews Crimson Tide & Bama players to watch; The Indiana/SEC CFP debate; Underwood on Top 25 showdown

Cody Goodwin from Bama 247 joins the show to share his insight on Alabama including what led to their loss at Purdue and what he'll be watching in the matchup against Illinois. Lon and Derek discuss Indiana's CFP resume and the debate surrounding the SEC and the college football playoff. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he shares his thoughts on the top 25 battle with Alabama.

11/19/24 Hour 1: Marveling in Underwood's ability to re-enter Top 25 despite roster turnover; Who's the most important player in Illinois-Bama matchup?

Lon returns and shares his thoughts on Illini's bounce back football win and Lon and Derek discuss how Brad Underwood has been able to put a Top 25 roster together with ten new players. Later, the guys give out the player they think will be most important for Illinois in its matchup with Alabama.