The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

4-9-25 FULL SHOW: Pulse check on Cubs as NL Central favorites; What would Dame Sarr add to Illini?; Top 10 portal transfers

Derek and Kyle discuss the Cardinals' maddening extra innings loss to the Pirates and assess how confident they are in the Cubs winning the NL Central after their hot start. Later, the guys break down what Dame Sarr could add to the Illini's roster and why a Will Riley return is probably unlikely. The guys react to 247 Sports's top 10 transfer list.

4/8/25 Hour 2: Who are some more potential portal targets for the Illini?

Derek and Kyle run through some potential transfer portal targets for Illinois and what the Illini roster is still missing following their recent frontcourt additions.

4/8/25 Hour 1: Florida comes back to win the national title; International forward David Mirkovic commits to Illinois

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the National Championship Game and Florida ultimately prevailing to cut down the nets. Later, the guys break down the Illini's latest commitment: Monetenegrin forward David Mirkovic and what it means for the Illini's frontcourt picture.

4/7/25 Hour 2: When will it be enough with Mikolas?; Will the Cubs bullpen haunt them again?; What's next on Illini's offseason wish list

Derek and Kyle talk some baseball, including a disastrous weekend for the Cardinals and whether the Cubs bullpen is going to bite them too often yet again. Later, the guys discuss what the Illini should be targeting next in the transfer portal and give their national title picks.

4/7/25 Hour 1: Final Four delivers a pair of thrilling finishes; The Ivisic brothers team up with the Illini

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on a thrilling pair of Final Four games including Houston's miraculous comeback to stun Duke. Later, the guys discuss both Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic teaming up with the Illini for next season and what Big Z can add to Illinois.

4/3/25 Hour 2: Frustrations over Memorial Stadium re-seating for next season; Final Four preview

Lon shares some frustrations over Memorial Stadium's re-seating for next football season and how it's affecting season ticket holders. Later, the guys preview the two Final Four matchups this Saturday.

4/2/25 Hour 1: Waiting game continues for Illini transfer news; Is the money players are making out of conrtrol with rev sharing coming?

Lon and Derek continue the waiting game for Illinois hoops transfer portal news and discuss how out of control some of the dollar amounts have gotten for players this offseason with revenue sharing set to kick in.

4/2/25 FULL SHOW: Cardinals explode late to salvage series; Ty Rodgers, Kylan Boswell announce return to Illini

Lon and Derek discuss the Cardinals exploding in the eighth inning to salvage the series finale against the Angels and the Cubs teeing off in the Athletics' Sacramento ballpark. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Ty Rodgers announcing his return to Illinois after his redshirt season and what he can provide to next season's roster.

4/1/25 Hour 2: How would Josh Dix fit on the Illini?; Baseball thoughts

Lon and Derek continue discussing Josh Dix's potential fit with the Illini and what it would mean for the Illini's offseason. The guys also share some baseball thoughts including a few betting nuggets.

4/1/25 Hour 1: Where do Illini's transfer portal & offseason pursuits stand?

Lon and Derek talk everything Illini transfer portal and offseason, including Zvonimir Ivisic, Jaylin Sellers, the potential of Ty Rodgers returning and much more.

3/31/25 Hour 2: Where do Rodgers & Humrichous fall on Illini priority list?; Josh Dix visit update; Jaylin Sellers, Big Z potential portal options for Illini?

Derek and Kyle discuss where Ty Rodgers and Ben Humrichous should be on the priority list of potential returnees for Illinois. Later, the guys discuss Josh Dix's recent visit to Champaign and if Jaylin Sellers and Zvonimir Ivisic are portal options for the Illini.

3/31/25 Hour 1: All 1 seed Final Four set; Tre White enters the transfer portal

Derek and Kyle react to the Elite 8 over the weekend and begin to preview the all 1 seed Final Four that has now been set. Later, the guys continue discussing Morez Johnson's decision to enter the portal and Tre White entering the portal over the weekend.

3/28/25 Hour 2: Illini's portal strategy post-Morez; Sweet 16 thoughts; Cards & Cubs get Opening Day Ws

Lon, Derek and Kyle discuss what lies ahead for Illinois in the offseason following the departure of Morez Johnson. They also share their thoughts on the first wave of Sweet 16 games. Later, the guys talk about the Cardinals and Cubs both picking up Opening Day wins.

3/28/25 Hour 1: Morez Johnson enters the transfer portal; Instant reaction and what it means for Illinois

Lon and Derek share their immediate reaction to the stunning news of Morez Johnson entering the transfer portal and discuss what it means for Illinois.

3/26/25 Hour 2: Sweet 16 Preview; Is this where the Big Ten's run ends?

Derek and Kyle preview all of the Sweet 16 matchups this weekend, discuss which games they're most excited for, and predict whether or not the Big Ten's crop of teams can survive.

3/26/25 Hour 1: Best Opening Day moments; How would Josh Dix fit on Illinois?; Should the Illini prioritize Ty Rodgers?

Derek and Kyle look back on some of the best Opening Day moments. They also discuss what Iowa transfer Josh Dix's potential fit with Illinois could be and whether the Illini should prioritize retaining Ty Rodgers this offseason.

3/25/25 Hour 2: Cubs & Cardinals questions entering Opening Day; Mike Claiborne shares insight on upcoming Cardinals season

Lon, Derek and Kyle answer some Cubs and Cardinals questions entering the start of MLB season. Later, Mike Claiborne joins the show to share his thoughts on what the Cardinals season could have in store.

3/25/25 Hour 1: Transfer portal & NIL season already ramping up; NL Central win projections

Lon and Derek discuss how quickly transfer portal season has already ramped up after the Illini's season ended and how Illinois will need to navigate it. Later, the guys react to the NL Central's preseason win total projections.

3/24/25 Hour 2: Which players does Illinois need to prioritize retaining?; A look ahead at the offseason

Derek and Kyle reshape their pecking order for who they think Illinois should prioritize retaining the most heading into next year and preview what the offseason could entail for Brad Underwood and Co.

3/24/25 Hour 1: Illini's roller coaster season comes to an end against Kentucky; How to evaluate this team's ultimate shortcomings

Derek and Kyle break down the Illini's season ending Round of 32 loss to Kentucky and discuss how to properly evaluate this year's team. The guys also discuss some of the biggest shortcomings of this roster that prevented Illinois from ultimately reaching its ceiling.