The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

12/7/23 Hour 2: Why this year’s team feels different than last year’s; Big Ten hoops thoughts

Derek and Kyle discuss why this year's Illini hoops team feels different than last year's and why they're not buying the narrative that things are taking the same path. Later, the guys share some thoughts on some other Big Ten hoops storylines.

12/7/23 Hour 1: Piper weighs in on Illini’s big win at the Garden; What does the win say about this Illinois team?

Derek returns from out east with Kyle to share his thoughts on the Illini's huge win against FAU and what he takes away from the performance. Later, the guys discuss what a win like this says about the team and if there are any concerns on the defensive end coming off the game.

12/6/23 Hour 2: Luke Goode on huge win, team chemistry & balancing student-athlete life during finals; Coleman Hawkins’ importance to Illini success

Luke Goode joins the show to recap the Illini's huge win and share insight into the team's chemistry and connectivity. Later, hear some thoughts from Brad Underwood following the win and the guys discuss how important Coleman Hawkins is to the Illini's success.

12/6/23 Hour 1: Illinois knocks off FAU at Jimmy V Classic!; Shannon and Domask go for 33 a piece; What’s working for this team?

Lon, Kyle, and guest co-host Jason Thompson break down the Illini's 98-89 victory over FAU in the Jimmy V Classic. The guys discuss the dominant performances from Terrence Shannon and Marcus Domask and what is working so well for the team during this hot stretch.

12/5/23 Hour 2: Brad Underwood on FAU matchup; How important is this game for Illinois?

Lon and Kyle go through the Illinois basketball schedule and share some rapid fire takes on how it may go. Hear from Brad Underwood as he discusses the matchup against FAU. Later, the guys discuss how important this game is for Illinois and give their predictions.

12/5/23 Hour 1: Illinois set for big test in Jimmy V Classic vs FAU; Derek Piper live from New York to preview matchup

Lon and Kyle share some thoughts on a huge test for Illinois at the Jimmy V Classic against Florida Atlantic and what they're expecting from the Illini. Derek Piper joins the show live from New York to preview the matchup against FAU.

12/4/23 Hour 2: Illini hoops dominates Rutgers in Big Ten opener; Sean Harrington (Former Illini guard) talks playing for Self and keys to this year’s success

Lon and Kyle break down the Illini basketball team's dominant road victory over Rutgers in their Big Ten opener, including the massive rebounding advantage and the encouraging offensive performance. Later, former Illinois guard Sean Harrington joins the show to reminisce about his playing days under Bill Self and share some thoughts on what this season's Illini hoops team needs to do to have success.

12/4/23 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: College football playoff controversy, Illini football transfer portal activity & J proving Ron Zook wrong

J Leman joins the show for his weekly hour to discuss the controversy surrounding Florida State being left out of the College Football Playoff, share some thoughts on the Illini's activity in the transfer portal and reminisce about his playing days under Ron Zook.

12/1/23 Hour 2: Rutgers’ impressive rise as a program; Terrence Shannon audio; Conference championships + college hoops weekend predictions

Derek and Kyle discuss Rutgers' impressive rise as a program in recent years and what has made Steve Pikiell so successful in Piscataway. Hear from Terrence Shannon Jr. on his thoughts about the Scarlet Knights. Later, Derek and Kyle give their predictions for this weekend's college football conference championship games and some college hoops matchups.

12/1/23 Hour 1: Final thoughts on Illinois-Rutgers matchup; Underwood previews game against Scarlet Knights

Derek and Kyle share some final thoughts heading into the Illini's game against Rutgers and what some of the keys to the matchup will be. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he previews the game and how his team has looked in practice.

11/30/23 Hour 2: Gut feeling about tough 3-game stretch for Illini hoops; Bielema shares end-of-season thoughts heading into offseason

Derek and Kyle discuss the importance of the Illini's upcoming 3-game stretch against Rutgers, FAU and Tennessee and their gut feeling about how those games will play out. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he shares some thoughts heading into a busy Illini football offseason.

11/30/23 Hour 1: Reggie Love enters portal; Aaron Breitman (Scarlet Faithful) previews Rutgers; Who is Illini’s X-Factor in upcoming stretch?

Derek and Kyle discuss the news that Reggie Love will enter the transfer portal. Later, Aaron Breitman from the Scarlet Faithful podcast joins the show to preview Rutgers ahead of the Illini's matchup on Saturday. The guys discuss how important Coleman Hawkins will be and who the Illini's X-Factor needs to be in their upcoming stretch.

11/29/23 Hour 2: Thoughts on some early college hoops storylines; Sorting through College Football Playoff chaos scenarios

Derek and Kyle share some thoughts on some college hoops teams that have impressed or disappointed so far in the month of November. Later, the guys try to sort out some chaotic College Football Playoff scenarios based on this weekend's conference championship games.

11/29/23 Hour 1: Isaiah Williams named First Team All-Big Ten; Isaac Trotter (247 Sports) shares Big Ten and national college basketball thoughts

Derek and Kyle discuss Isaiah Williams being honored with an All-Big Ten First Team selection and whether or not they think he'll return for another season at Illinois. Later, Isaac Trotter from 247 Sports joins the show to share some insight into Illinois, the Big Ten, and national college basketball.

11/28/23 Hour 2: What are the best basketball home environments in the Big Ten?; MLB Hot Stove: Cubs and Cardinals rumors swirling

Derek and Kyle discuss what the best home basketball environments are and Piper shares his list based on his experiences over the years. Later, the guys go through some MLB Hot Stove rumors regarding the Cardinals and Cubs.

11/28/23 Hour 1: Bears win ugly Monday night game; Luke Goode on week off and matchup ahead with Rutgers

Derek and Kyle discuss the Bears getting a very ugly Monday night win over the Vikings and whether the Bears and Illini need to actually be thanking Lovie Smith for their talent influx. Later, Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show to talk about the team's week off and upcoming matchup at Rutgers.

11/27/23 Hour 2: Luke Altmyer on disappointing end to season & offseason plans; Cardinals sign Sonny Gray; Illini hoops takes care of business

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer joins the show for the final time in 2023 to reflect on a disappointing end to the season, share thoughts on how the QB situation played out and and detail his plans for the offseason and future. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss the Cardinals signing Sonny Gray in free agency and Illini hoops taking care of business over the weekend.

11/27/23 Hour 1 J LEMAN HOUR: Illinois season ends at hands of Northwestern; What does the future hold?

J Leman joins Derek and Kyle for his weekly hour to break down the Illini's loss to Northwestern including what went wrong with turnovers, how disappointing a 5-7 season is for the program, and what the future holds heading into the offseason.

11/20/23 Hour 2: Luke Altmyer on the starting QB decision & his progress; Illini have a PG in Nicco Moretti?

Illini QB Luke Altmyer joins the guys to talk about Saturday's game at Iowa and his thoughts on Bret Bielema's decision to go with John Paddock as the starter. Later, Lon and Derek discuss Nicco Moretti's performance against Southern and what his future holds at PG.

11/20/23 J LEMAN HOUR: Is Iowa inevitable? Should Paddock be the starter vs. Northwestern?

J Leman joins the guys to discuss his thoughts on Illinois' 15-13 loss at Iowa on Saturday. The guys also give their thoughts on Bret Bielema's decision to go with John Paddock as the starter against Northwestern.