The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

3/10/25 Hour 1: Illini win a thriller vs Purdue to end regular season; Is a 6 seed the place to be for the NCAA Tournament?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's thrilling come from behind victory over Purdue and what it means for Illinois entering the postseason. Later, the guys go through some past NCAA Tournament results for Illinois and discuss whether or not a 6 seed is the perfect place to land in the bracket.

3/7/25 Hour 2: Former intern Jimmy Sobeski talks Purdue-Illinois matchup; What could a big March do for KJ and Riley's draft stock?

Former The Drive intern Jimmy Sobeski joins the show to share his insight on Purdue and give his take on the Illinois-Purdue matchup. Later, the guys discuss what a standout March could do for Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley's draft stock and give their predictions for Illinois-Purdue.

3/7/25 Hour 1: What could a win over Purdue mean for Illini entering the postseason?; Breaking down Illinois-Purdue matchup

Derek and Kyle discuss what a win over Purdue could mean from a confidence perspective for Illinois entering the postseason. Later, the guys break down the matchup between the Boilers and Illini and some things Illinois can exploit against Purdue.

3/6/25 Hour 2: Aaron Leming (Bear Report) on Bears offensive linemen additions, draft plans; Underwood updates Morez's progress

The Bear Report's Aaron Leming joins the show to share his insight on the Bears' recent offensive line additions and plans for free agency and the draft. Later, the guys talk some Illinois basketball and react to Underwood's latest update on Morez Johnson's progress.

3/6/25 Hour 1: Who is the future of sports broadcasting?; Ben Humrichous hints at possible return waiver

Lon and Derek discuss the most iconic play-by-play voices in sports over the years and what the future of major sports broadcasting could look like with some up and comers. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the possibility of Ben Humrichous returning for a 6th yearof eligibility and what his role could look like on next season's Illinois team.

3/5/25 Hour 2: 8-9 matchups could be filled with big brands in this year's tournament; Piper talks Dame Sarr recruitment

Derek and Kyle break down some of the intriguing brands that currently fall on the 8 and 9 seed lines of the NCAA Tournament and if they trust any of them to make a deep run. Later, Derek updates the Illini's pursuit of Italian wing Dame Sarr and what he could add to Illinois next season.

3/5/25 Hour 1: What's your fear level of Purdue coming to Champaign?; Top teams to trust entering the NCAA Tournament

Lon and Derek discuss how much they fear this season's Purdue team entering the matchup with Illinois on Friday. Later, the guys run down some of the top college basketball teams in the country and share how much they trust each one entering the NCAA Tournament.

3/24/25 Hour 2: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) on Illini football's recruiting run, WBB senior day; How important is this Purdue game leading into the postseason?

Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner joins the show to talk about Bret Bielema's continuing run on the recruiting trail, Pat Bryant's combine performance and Illini women's basketball Senior Day. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss how important a win over Purdue could be for the Illini's momentum entering the postseason.

3/4/25 Hour 1: Which NCAA tournament sites would be best for Illinois?; Breaking down best Big Ten Tournament scenarios for Illini

Lon and Derek hit on a variety of topics and take a look at some of the NCAA tournament sites that could be most beneficial for the Illini. Later, the guys run through all of the Big Ten Tournament seeding scenarios and which would set the Illini up best in Indy.

3/3/25 Hour 2: What should expectations be for KJ in March?

Lon and Derek share their thoughts on Kasparas Jakucionis's recent form and season and a whole and what their expectations are for him as the postseason nears. Later, the guys have some fun brainstorming hilarious baseball promotional nights and potential golf outings.

3/3/25 Hour 1: Illinois dominates Michigan behind 62-point second half; Are we buying back in on the Illini in March?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's impressive blowout victory at Michigan and the dominant second half they put together. Later, the guys discuss whether Sunday's win was enough to get them to buy back in on the Illini entering March.

2/28/25 Hour 2: What's the best end of season scenario for Illinois to root for?; TSJ shining for T-Wolves

Derek and Kyle discuss what the best case scenario would be for Illinois to finish the season from a seeding perspective and a potential Illinois-Indiana Big Ten Tournament rematch becoming a possibility. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Terrence Shannon Jr.'s recent emergence for the Timberwolves and make their picks for Illinois-Michigan.

2/28/25 Hour 1: How will Illinois handle Michigan's frontcourt?; Zach Shaw (TheMichiganInsider) on Wolverines' turnaround and matchup with Illini

Derek and Kyle break down how they anticipate Illinois will try to guard Michigan's frontcourt duo of Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin and some keys to the matchup for Illinois. Later, TheMichiganInsider's Zach Shaw joins the show to share his insight on Michigan's magical season and how they match up with Illinois.

2/27/25 Hour 2: How important will Big Ten Tournament be for Illini this year?; Top 3 MLB ballparks we most want to visit this season

Lon and Derek discuss how important the Big Ten Tournament could be for the Illini this season from a seeding perspective and what they'll likely need to do in Indy to set themselves up well. Later, the guys brainstorm which MLB ballparks they'd most want to visit this season if they could.

2/27/25 Hour 1: Is it time to appreciate Tom Izzo's greatness?; Brad Evans (The Gaming Juice) talks Illini, NCAA Tournament bracket

Lon and Derek discuss Michigan State's miraculous half court buzzer beater to beat Maryland and if it's time to appreciate Tom Izzo's greatness and consistent winning. Later, The Gaming Juice and Bet MGM's Brad Evans joins the show to give his take on the Illini and lay out some NCAA Tournament bracket projections.

2/26/25 Hour 2: What's Illinois' path back to a 7 seed?; Reassessing our priority list for next year's roster

Derek and Kyle discuss what Illinois would need to do the rest of the season to get back up to the 7 seed line in the NCAA Tournament. Later, the guys reevaluate their priority list of players to bring back for next season and discuss whether Kylan Boswell has played his way back into being a bigger priority.

2/26/25 Hour 1: Illinois stops the bleeding with bounce back over Iowa; What would be a successful season for this team?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's desperately needed win over Iowa and some of the changes they made on both ends of the floor. Later, the guys share their take on what would amount to a "successful" season for Illinois at the end of the year.

2/25/25 Hour 2: Who do you trust the most in March on the Big Ten?; Bardo's take on Illini's lack of pride

Derek and Kyle discuss who they'd trust the most to make a deep run in March out of the current crop of Big Ten teams. Later, the guys talk some more Illinois-Iowa and react to Stephen Bardo's take on the lack of pride Illini players currently have in the program.

2/25/25 Hour 1: Vibes heading into tonight's must win game vs Iowa; Keys for Illini against Hawkeyes

Derek and Kyle discuss the vibes heading into the Illini's must win game against Iowa to save their season. They also break down some keys to the matchup for Illinois against the Hawkeyes.

2/24/25 Hour 2: What would you change about Illinois entering March?; Another Illini wins on the PGA Tour

Lon and Derek discuss what they would change about Illinois personnel wise and schematically entering March and if there's anything they can change to get things back on track. Later, the guys react to a second Illini winning on the PGA Tour with Brian Campbell's win at the Mexico Open.