
The Drive is your daily Illini sports podcast from ESPN 93.5. Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone cover Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball, Illinois Fighting Illini football, the Chicago Bears, Cardinals, Cubs and the biggest sports stories in Champaign-Urbana with interviews, analysis, and a lot of laughs. New episodes every weekday. 🎙️
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Episodes

May 21, 2025
May 21, 2025
45 min
Lon's back in the studio with Derek and Kurtis. Get our live reaction to Nasir Rankin's epic commitment to Illinois Football. Plus, why Dan Hartlieb had every right to be upset with today's Illini Baseball game, and more.

May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025
52 min
Details emerge on Brad Underwood's new contract, and the guys discuss the expectations for the next several seasons. Plus Cubs & Cards 2 months in, we answer your texts, and more!

May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025
56 min
Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports joins the show for a great chat, some big news on Illini Football recruiting, and does recruiting Chicago matter as much as it once did? The fellas break it down!

May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
23 min
Scott Dochterman from The Athletic joins the boys to discuss all things Big Ten, Illini, Iowa, Caitlin Clark, and more!

May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
54 min
Joey Wagner joins Pipes and new guy Kurtis Allen to chat about his NFL draft experience. Plus, the guys break down Bret Bielema's biggest wins so far and look at the upcoming Illini Football schedule.

May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
56 min
Derek and Kyle discuss whether it's even worth it to invest in high school recruiting anymore in the current landscape and what they anticipate the Illini's approach to recruiting being going forward. Later, the guys react to 247 Sports' Big Ten quarterback rankings for 2025.

May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
52 min
Derek and Kyle talk some baseball and discuss why we haven't seen very many bad blood rivalries and benches-clearing brawls in baseball in recent seasons. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the first two days of the PGA Championship and potential NBA conference finals matchups.

May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
57 min
Chris Block, owner of Chris Block Racing Stables joins the show to share his insight into the Preakness field and if the Triple Crown schedule needs to be adjusted to allow for more horses to chase the Triple Crown. Later, Lon and Derek discuss Illini football's season opener getting moved to Friday and the new book coming out that details drama surrounding Caleb Williams and the Bears before the draft.

May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
54 min
Lon and Derek discuss the announced contract extensions for Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema and what a realistic expectation should be for Underwood each season. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Illinois & Tennessee finalizing an agreement to meet for another two seasons in Nashville and Chicago and who else they'd like to see the Illini schedule.

May 13, 2025
May 13, 2025
54 min
City/Suburban Hoops Report and the Chicago Sun-Times's Joe Henricksen joins the show to talk Jalen Brunson's ascension into an NBA star, the current state of Illinois high school hoops, and some old Illini hoops recruiting insight. Later, the guys look back at the loaded list of 2016 recruiting class visitors the Illini brought in.

May 13, 2025
May 13, 2025
54 min
Lon and Derek react to the news of MLB lifting its ban for Pete Rose, Joe Jackson and other deceased figures, making them eligible for the Hall of Fame. Later, intern Daniel Herzog leads the guys through Next Question: Illini hoops edition.

May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
45 min
Lon and Derek take a look back at what the COVID era of sports looked like, including virtual drafts and the canceled NCAA Tournament. Later, the guys discuss what to make of Kasparas Jakucionis's draft stocking following a negative projection by The Athletic.

May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
53 min
Lon and Derek discuss the Cardinals' 8-game win streak and whether the Cubs/Cardinals series this season could actually be for the NL Central crown. Later, the guys go back and look at Illinois' national championships in athletics on the heels of Illini golf's quest for one.

May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
43 min
Lon and Derek discuss what they think the biggest surprise could be for Illinois basketball, either player or team-related. Later, the guys share their thoughts on what the mix of personalities on the Illini hoops team could look like.

May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
54 min
Lon and Derek talk some baseball and discuss what's needed to juice up the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry again this summer. Later, the guys discuss their level of concern over the Illini's running back depth following the departure of Josh McCray.

May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
51 min
Derek and Kyle continue Next Question: Illinois Basketball Edition with questions about the now close-to-finalized Illini roster.

May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
53 min
Derek and Kyle discuss Illinois basketball adding an in-state point guard to a walk on type of roster spot. Later, the guys play Next Question: Illinois Basketball Edition with questions about Illini hoops.

May 7, 2025
May 7, 2025
52 min
Lon and Derek run through some of the most athletic players in MLB history. Later, the guys discuss whether programs without football could benefit from revenue sharing and some other college sports thoughts.

May 7, 2025
May 7, 2025
36 min
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.

May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025
54 min
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.
