The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

5/7/25 Hour 1: Cardinals hot after 5 straight Ws?; Matt Silich talks NBA Playoffs

Lon and Derek talk about the Cardinals' recent win streak after sweeping the Pirates and if there's any pressure being put on the NL Central. Later, Matt Silich joins the show to discuss the NBA Playoffs and what to expect from the conference semifinals.

5/6/25 Hour 2: Illinois football getting preseason Top 10 love; Can Illinois be this year's Indiana?

Derek and Kyle talk some Illinois football and discuss some reasons for both optimism and skepticism for the Illini amid getting some preseason Top 10 love from Joe Klatt. The guys also discuss if it's fair to compare what Illinois could do in 2025 to last year's Indiana team.

5/26/25 Hour 1: Pair of Game 1s in NBA Playoffs deliver; Where does Nikola Jokic stack up all time?

Derek and Kyle discuss an electric night of NBA playoff action that saw two Game 1s come down to the wire. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Nikola Jokic's dominance and where he stacks up all time among NBA big men.

5/5/25 Hour 2: How much has hoops recruiting changed?; Lon weighs in on Trae Taylor Illini fake out; What's on tap for Cubs & Cardinals

Lon and Derek discuss how much basketball recruiting has changed nowadays and reminisce on some old stories. Lon shares his thoughts on Trae Taylor's fake out commitment to Illinois. Later, the guys discuss what's on tap this week for the Cubs and Cardinals.

5/5/25 Hour 1: What's the most compelling watch in sports right now?; Assistant coach search for the Illini?

Lon and Derek discuss what's the most compelling thing to watch in sports right now between MLB, NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs and more. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the potential for the Illini to add a new assistant coach and what they would be looking for.

5/2/25 Hour 2: Chris Block (Chris Block Racing Stables) previews Kentucky Derby; Trae Taylor pulls hat stunt on Illini during commitment

Chris Blocks from Chris Block racing stables joins the show to share his horse racing insight ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss 4-star Nebraska commit Trae Taylor pulling a wild fake out on the Illini during his commitment.

5/2/25 Hour 1: Newest Illini Andrej Stojakovic joins the show!; Thoughts on T-Wolves, other NBA playoffs storylines

Newest Illini commit Andrej Stojakovic joins the show to share why he chose Illinois, what he thinks next season's team can look like and what he hopes to accomplish in Champaign. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss the NBA playoffs, including the T-Wolves' domination of the Lakers and Jalen Brunson's polarizing play style.

4/30/25 Hour 2: What's up with the odd Bill Belichick situation?; Illini hoops a top national story this season?

Derek and Kyle discuss how interested they are in Hard Knocks and what they make of the very strange Bill Belichick situation that's made headlines. Later, the guys discuss whether they think the Illini's unique international-filled roster will be a top national storyline next college basketball season.

4/30/25 Hour 1: Are we losing faith in the Cardinals' young core?; How far will NCAA go in allowing eligibility for overseas pros?

Derek and Kyle discuss how strong the Cubs' position atop the NL Central is and whether there's enough to still be excited about with some of the Cardinals' younger players. Later, the guys share their thoughts on how far is too far for professional players coming over to play college basketball.

4/29/25 Hour 2: Is there any room to still add for Illini?; Early look at potential Big Ten standings

Derek and Kyle discuss whether or not Illinois is completely done adding to its roster after the Stojakovic addition and what, if anything, the roster could still use. Later, the guys share some early thoughts on teams that could be near the top of the Big Ten entering next season.

4/29/25 Hour 1: Piper weighs in on Stojakovic commitment; Illini's 2025-26 conference opponents released

Derek gives his take on Andrej Stojakovic committing to Illinois and how he fits with next season's Illini roster. Later, Lon, Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's 2025-26 conference opponents in basketball and how Illinois could fare.

4/28/25 Hour 2: Sean Harrington on Illini's roster construction and 25-26 outlook; NHL and NBA playoffs off to exciting starts

Former Illinois guard Sean Harrington joins the show to share his thoughts on how Brad Underwood has constructed the Illini roster this offseason and what the team could look like next season. Later, Lon and Kyle recap some exciting series in the NHL and NBA playoffs.

4/28/25 Hour 1: Andrej Stojakovic commits to Illinois; Dave Wischnowsky on Illini hoops offseason, Cubs excitement

Lon and Kyle break down the Illini landing Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic and how important the addition is for the Illini's outlook next season. Later, former Chicago Tribune writer Dave Wischnowsky joins the show to give his take on the Stojakovic addition, the Illini's offseason and the Cubs' hot start to the season.

4/25/25 Hour 2: Aaron Leming (Bear Report) on Bears' first round pick; preview of Day 2; More NFL Draft thoughts

The Bear Report's Aaron Leming joins the show to share his thoughts on the Bears' first round pick of Colston Loveland and where he thinks the Bears should go on Day 2. Later, the guys share some more of their thoughts on the NFL Draft as a whole.

4/25/25 Hour 1: Waiting game continues for Stojakovic; Piper weighs in on Bears drafting Loveland

Lon and Derek discuss where things stand with Andrej Stojakovic as the waiting game on his official announcement continues and how highly thought of an Illini team with him on it could be. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the Bears' first round selection of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.

4/23/25 Hour 2: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) on all things Illini; Piper's take on Petrovic; Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune) on Cubs' hot start

Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner joins the show to share his insight on Illini football post-spring ball, Illini basketball's international efforts, and Illini women's basketball's offseason. Derek gives his brief scouting report on Mihailo Petrovic. Later, the Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro joins the show to share her thoughts on the Cubs' hot start to the season.

4/23/25 Hour 1: Cubs win another thriller, Cards continue to disappoint; How would Stojakovic fit with Illini?

Derek and Kyle discuss another Cubs thrilling victory over the Dodgers and how fun their start to the season has been offensively. They also discuss the Cardinals' early season disappointment. Later, the guys break down how Andrej Stojakovic would fit with the Illini and what they could still be missing.

4/22/25 Hour 2: More on Illini's international takeover; Altmyer squashes transfer rumors

Lon and Derek discuss more about the Illini's international recruiting dominance and whether fans could lose attachment in an all-international roster. The guys also share their thoughts on Luke Altmyer putting the recent transfer rumors to rest.

4/22/25 Hour 1: Illinois lands surprise commitment from Serbian PG Mihailo Petrovic

Lon, Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini landing a surprising commitment from another European: Serbian point guard Mihailo Petrovic and what it means for the Illini next season.

4/21/25 Hour 2: What does Illinois still need most on this roster?; Any concern over Altmyer/Tennessee rumblings?

Lon and Derek discuss what Illinois still needs to add most to its roster on the heels of potentially adding Andrej Stojakovic. Later, the guys talk about Josh McCray transferring to Georgia and give their take on the Luke Altmyer & Tennessee rumblings that have surfaced.