The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

1/26/24 Hour 1: Kel'el Ware's status up in the air for Hoosiers; Explaining the NET rankings; Most embarrassing banners in sports history

Lon and Derek discuss the status of Indiana center Kel'el Ware ahead of the matchup with the Hoosiers and what his impact is. The guys break down the NCAA's NET rankings and what they mean as it relates to NCAA Tournament seeding. Later, the guys react to some of the most embarrassing banners sports teams have put up.

1/25/24 Hour 2: How many teams will the Big Ten get into the NCAA Tournament?; What to make of Terrence Shannon's performance since return

Lon and Derek discuss how many teams the Big Ten is positioned to get into the NCAA Tournament. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Terrence Shannon's performance since returning from suspension and the challenges he's facing in road environments.

1/25/24 Hour 1: Luke Goode on OT loss to Northwestern, rivalry environment; What went wrong for Illinois down the stretch?

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to recap the Illini's OT loss to Northwestern, defensive mistakes and split environment in Evanston. Later, Lon and Derek share their thoughts on the loss and diagnose where Illinois went wrong down the stretch and in OT.

1/24/24 Hour 2: Matt Shelton (Wildcat Report) previews Illinois-Northwestern; Underwood talks Shannon, matchup with Wildcats

Matt Shelton from Wildcat Report joins the show to preview the Illini-Northwestern matchup and how the Wildcats have progressed this season. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he shares his thoughts on Terrence Shannon and more. Lon and Kyle give their predictions.

1/24/24 Hour 1: Previewing Illini's second matchup with Northwestern; Derek Piper shares his thoughts on Wildcats

Lon, Kyle, and guest co-host Cory Whitt discuss the Illini's second matchup with Northwestern and if they think it'll be a different story the second time around. Later, Derek Piper joins the show from the road to share his thoughts on the matchup.

1/23/24 Hour 2: Jeremiah Fears commits to Illinois; Bears hire new OC; NFL Divisional thoughts; How tough will trip to Northwestern be?

Lon, Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on a variety of recent topics including Jeremiah Fears's commitment, the Bears hiring a new offensive coordinator, the NFL Divisional playoffs, and a new addition to the Illini football coaching staff. Later, the guys discuss how difficult the game against Northwestern will be.

1/23/24 Hour 1: Terrence Shannon returns vs Rutgers; What to make of public perception surrounding the situation

Lon and Derek discuss Terrence Shannon Jr.'s return in a blowout win over Rutgers and talk about the public perception surrounding Illinois playing him and the warm reception he received at State Farm Center.

1/19/24 Hour 2: More reaction to Terrence Shannon's court ruling against U of I; Jeremy Werner (Illini Inquirer) shares insight on ruling and university's official statement

Lon and Derek share more thoughts on Terrence Shannon Jr.'s motion for a temporary restraining order being granted and what it means for Shannon and the University of Illinois. Later, Jeremy Werner from Illini Inquirer joins the show to share the university's official statement and his insight on the ruling.

1/19/24 Hour 1: Illini make it 7 in a row against Juwan Howard & Michigan; Terrence Shannon's TRO granted by federal judge

Lon and Derek react to the Illini's 88-73 victory over Michigan and Coleman Hawkins's incredible performance. Later, the guys discuss breaking news that Terrence Shannon Jr.'s temporary restraining order against Illinois has been granted by a federal judge, allowing him to return to play.

1/18/24 Hour 2: NFL Coaching Carousel thoughts; Previewing Illinois-Michigan

Derek and Kyle share some thoughts on the NFL coaching carousel and where coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Bill Belichick could land. Later, the guys preview the matchup between Illinois and Michigan and give their predictions.

1/18/24 Hour 1: Update on Terrence Shannon's legal proceedings; Zach Shaw (The Michigan Insider) previews Wolverines and talks Harbaugh rumors

Derek and Kyle share an update on some recent FOIA findings regarding Terrence Shannon's case and his court hearing in Kansas. Later, Zach Shaw from the Michigan Insider joins the show to preview the Illini's matchup with the Wolverines and share some thoughts on Jim Harbaugh.

1/17/24 Hour 2: Illinois' memorable recent games in Ann Arbor; Underwood previews Wolverines; Lon and Derek's 1-on-1 with Chip Caray, Brad Thompson

Lon and Derek discuss the Illini's upcoming trip to Michigan. Hear from Brad Underwood as he shares some thoughts off the Maryland loss and previews the Wolverines. Hear Derek's 1-on-1 with Chip Caray and Lon's 1-on-1 with Brad Thompson from last week's Cardinal Caravan.

1/17/24 Hour 1: Wisconsin goes down, Boilers stomp Hoosiers; What to expect from Terrence Shannon's Thursday court hearing

Lon and Derek break down Tuesday night's Big Ten hoops results that included Wisconsin suffering its first conference loss and Purdue dominating Indiana. Later, the guys discuss expectations for Terrence Shannon's first court hearing in Kansas on Thursday. 

1/16/24 Hour 2: NFL Wild Card Weekend reaction: How good is CJ Stroud?, Jordan Love legit?, Lions are a great story

Lon, Derek and Kyle react to NFL Wild Card weekend and share thoughts on CJ Stroud, the Dolphins collapse, Jordan Love and the Lions' awesome story.

1/16/24 Hour 1: Luke Goode on disappointing loss to Terps, lack of effort; Does Illinois need to expand its rotation?

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to discuss the team's loss to Maryland, the need for better effort and where the team's focus is. Later, the guys share some Illini hoops thoughts and if they need to expand their rotation to include Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.

1/15/24 Hour 2: How many wins will it take for a B1G title?; Underwood audio

Lon and Derek take a look at Wisconsin, Purdue and Illinois' schedules going forward and how many losses you can afford in the B1G title chase. Later, hear from Brad Underwood on Sunday's loss.

1/15/24 Hour 1: Illini shell-shocked by the Terps; Do the Packers have another stud QB?

Lon and Derek discuss Illinois' surprising 76-67 loss to Maryland on Sunday. The guys also talk about the NFL playoffs, including Green Bay's dominant win in Dallas and a stellar showing from Jordan Love.

1/12/24 Hour 2: Piper’s 1-on-1 with Jordan Walker; Illini outlast MSU; Coleman Hawkins for DPOY?;

Lon and Derek give their thoughts on Illinois' 71-68 victory over Michigan State on Thursday night, while discussing Coleman Hawkins' case for Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten. Later, hear Derek's 1-on-1 with Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker.

1/12/24 Hour 1: No ruling in TSJ vs. U of I hearing; Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) on the court room proceedings

Lon and Derek react to the word that Terrence Shannon Jr.'s hearing in Springfield ended without a decision from the judge. So, what now? Joey Wagner of Illini Inquirer was in the court room and he fills us in on what he saw and heard.

1/11/24 Hour 2: Predicting the Wildcard Weekend results in the NFL; How will teams guard Ty Rodgers this week?

Lon and Derek break down their thoughts on each wildcard matchup in the NFL this weekend. Later, the guys discuss how they think MSU and Maryland will defend Ty Rodgers, and they give their predictions for tonight's game against Sparty.