The Drive on ESPN 93.5

11/20/25 Hour 1: Our reactions to the Illini's loss to Alabama; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Mark Stewart of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks Illini vs Badgers Football

The Fighting Illini men's basketball lost against Alabama at the United Center in Chicago. We answer your texts and give our reactions to the 90-86 loss. 

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins us to talk Big Ten Football for this weekend and why USC could spoil Oregon's playoff hopes.

Mark Stewart covers Wisconsin Badgers football for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He gives us the Badgers perspective ahead of Saturday's showdown with Bret Bielema and the Illini at Camp Randall.

11/19/25 Hour 2: Carson Gourdie last-minute details before Illini vs Crimson Tide; Illini Football vs Badgers; Bielema in Wisconsin; Denzel Movie Draft Winner; Final Score Predictions for tonight

Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois & WICS joins us this hour to preview Illinois vs Alabama, give his insight, last-minute injury updates from Brad Underwood, and more. Plus, we talk Illini Football ahead of Saturday's showdown at Camp Randall.

Who won our Denzel Movie Draft? It wasn't as close as some people thought!

We give our final score predictions for tonight's Illinois vs Alabama game. Lets go!

11/19/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Crimson Tide in Chicago; Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs, ALAH vs Maroa, Tolono-Unity vs St. Joe; Kurtis' Curveballs; Denzel Movie Draft Update

We preview tonight's #8 Fighting Illini men's basketball game against #11 Alabama Crimson Tide at the United Center in Chicago! Who's in and who's out? 

We'll talk with Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 about tonight's game, plus 2 area schools are guaranteed to play for a State Championship. We'll preview Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond vs Maroa-Forsyth and Tolono-Unity vs St. Joe-Ogden.

Kurtis throws some serious Curveballs at Evan and more on our Denzel Movie Draft.

11/18/25 Hour 2: Illini Football prepares for Wisconsin; Bielema on the Coaching Carousel; Our Tuesday Draft - Denzel Washington movies!

Illini Football head coach Bret Bielema met with the media and talks about the upcoming trip to his former stomping grounds in Wisconsin. Plus, Bielema expects a very busy coaching carousel this offseason for college football. And he gives us some insight into the "good problems" that Illinois athletics have right now.

It's Tuesday and that means DRAFT DAY! This week's subject: Denzel Washington Movies! Who wins? Vote on our Instagram & Twitter pages @thedrive935 or text your vote to 217-359-2255!

11/18/25 Hour 1: Barry Lunney's future; Illini men's basketball injury report update & game preview; A LOUD Field Trip Day for Illini Women's Basketball; Why Don't Teams Practice at State Farm Center

Bret Bielema addressed the media and discussed OC Barry Lunney's potential as a head coaching candidate. We share your reactions.

Brad Underwood also met with the media and gave an injury report update before tomorrow night's game against Alabama at the United Center. Who's in and who's out? 

It was Field Trip Day at State Farm Center for Illini Women's Basketball and it was LOUD! How crazy did the kids get when the Illini scored "67?" It was over 110 decibels!

And an interesting conversation takes off after a texter wants to know "Why don't the Illini practice at State Farm Center?"

11/17/25 Hour 2: David Mirkovic's historic night for the Illini; Bears Walk-Off Win and Step Into First Place; Our next draft; Kurtis' Curveballs

David Mirkovic had an all-time performance for the Illini against Colgate on Friday night, finishing with 27 points and 21 rebounds; the first 20-20 game for an Illini in 53 years! We recap the game and look ahead to Wednesday's showdown with Alabama at the United Center in Chicago.

Speaking of Chicago...Da Bears are in first place! How did the Bears pull off another stunning win? Are they for real and can they make noise in the playoffs? We go through the remaining schedule.

It's Evan's turn to choose our Tuesday Draft category. What will he pick?

And Kurtis throws them Curveballs!

11/17/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! J talks Illini beating Maryland; The D's performance; Luke Altmyer & Hudson Clement's connection; James Franklin's new coaching gig; J answers your texts

The All-American J Leman is back in the studio after the Illini cruised past Maryland 24-6. J talks about the great performance by the Illini defense,  Luke Altmyer's connection with Hudson Clement, the future of the O-Line, and answers your texts. 

11/14/25 Hour 2: An All-Illini Friday continues! Robert Rosenthal from Illini Board on why Barry Lunney could stay in Champaign; Kurtis' Curveballs; Evan with a surprise call-in; Friday Toasts!

Robert Rosenthal from Illini Board joins us to talk about a big weekend of Illinois sports and why he thinks OC Barry Lunney will stay in Champaign! Plus, how did Robert save Evan on Tuesday night at the Illinois vs Texas Tech game?

Kurtis checks the Illini headlines, throws out some wild curveballs, and we get a surprise call-in from Evan.

We give your score predictions and Friday Toasts! I-L-L!

11/14/25 Hour 1: An All-Illini Friday with Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer, Carson Gourdie of WICS, and Cooper O'Kelly of Champaign Room!

It's a HUGE All-Illini Friday with an All-Star lineup. "The Great" Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer talks Illini basketball, Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV has insight into why Mike Locksley is possibly out as Maryland's head coach if they to the Illini, and Cooper O'Kelly from Champaign Room & Big Ten+ joins us in-studio to talk Illini athletics.

Lets goooo!

11/13/25 Hour 2: Brad Underwood Presser ahead of the Colgate game; Etched in Stone Picks; Evan's predictions for both Illini football & basketball games

Coach Brad Underwood met with the media today ahead of Friday night's game against Colgate. Get the latest injury news and our reactions.

We need some money! Evan gives us this week's Etched in Stone picks and is ready to go 5-0. But will he? 

And what Evan's final predictions for this weekend's slate of Illinois football & basketball?

11/13/25 Hour 1: Sam Jane from The Athletic talks Illini vs Maryland; Ravi Lulla from HurrDat talks Big Ten Football; Illini Headlines; Kurtis' Curveballs

Sam Jane works for The Athletic, previously with the Baltimore Sun & Washington Post, and covers Maryland Football. He joins us to chat about Saturday's game at Gies Memorial Stadium and plenty more!

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports takes us around the Big Ten football schedule. Can Iowa win at USC? Is this the year Northwestern wins their Wrigley Field game?

Kurtis gives us a check of today's Illini Headlines and throws some Curveballs!

11/12/25 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Quarterfinal Playoffs; Evan steals Josh Whitman's Chair; Kurtis' Curveballs; Pro Wrestler Draft Results

Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 joins us to talk about the IHSA Quarterfinals! It's another big weekend for area schools. We also get Tristan's take on Illinois' win over Texas Tech and find out that Evan stole Josh Whitman's chair last night!

Kurtis throws some curveballs and we find out who won our Pro Wrestler Draft! Ohhh Hell Yeah! 

11/12/25 Hour 1: Illini Defeat Texas Tech; Illini Headlines; Luke Altmyer Ranked vs NCAA Quarterbacks; Pro Wrestler Draft

The Illini had an incredible night against Texas Tech, with a 81-77 win! We'll recap Andrej Stojakovic & Kylan Boswell's breakout performances, JT Toppin, and plenty more.

Plus we check the Illini Headlines for the day, including National Signing Day for most of the University's athletic programs.

Evan took issue with an article that ranked Luke Altmyer as the #16th best quarterback in College Football. We'll dive into the numbers.

And our Pro Wrestler Draft is winding down! Who will win?

11/11/25 Hour 2: The Drive live at Pia's; Illini Football vs Maryland; Kurtis' Curveballs; Veterans Day; Illini vs Texas Tech Predictions

Hour 2 of our live Veteran's Day broadcast at Pia's with Koerner Distributing & Crown Royal.

We talk a little football ahead of Saturday's game against Maryland. 

Plus, Kurtis throws some Curveballs and Evan...and then Evan throws one right back!

And we give our final thoughts ahead of the Illini vs Texas Tech at State Farm Center.

11/11/25 Hour 1: The Drive live at Pia's; Illini vs Texas Tech; Pro Wrestler Draft; Veterans Day

The Drive is LIVE at Pia's in Champaign ahead of the Illini's showdown with Texas Tech at State Farm Center.  Get our score predictions and more!

Plus, our Tuesday Drafts continue and this week's topic: Pro Wrestlers! Who wins?

And learn about the Purple Bag Program for Veteran's Day.

11/10/25 Hour 2: The Bears stun the Giants; Brad Underwood's Press Conference; Illini vs Texas Tech; Kurtis' Curveballs

The Bears pulled off another stunning win, this time at the expense of the New York Giants and Brian Daboll's job. Plus, how close are Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams to setting a few Chicago Bears records?

Brad Underwood held his weekly presser ahead of tomorrow night's showdown with Texas Tech. Which players are in and out? How will the Illini handle the Red Raiders backcourt and Center JT Toppin?

Kurtis throws dem Curveballs at poor Evan!

11/10/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour; Illini vs Maryland, Bielema Press Conference; Coaching Changes, and Score Predictions

The All-American J Leman is back in the studio after a bye week for the Illini.

J and the guys breakdown Illinois vs Maryland, Coach Bielema's press conference; potential coaching changes, and score predictions.

Plus, J and the guys learn about a missed scene in the holiday classic "Home Alone."

11/07/25 Hour 2: Big Ten + 2 Football Predictions; Illini Wrestling Preview; Can You Take A Punch?; Friday Toasts

Illini football have a bye week, but the rest of the conference is in action. Kurtis & Evan break down games and make their predictions.

Evan gives an in-depth preview of Illini Wrestling for 2025-2026. Some great information in this segment!

Also, Evan asks Kurtis if he could take a punch right now? 

And we give our Friday Toasts!

11/07/25 Hour 1: Illini Men's Basketball vs FGC Tonight; Alex Martin talks tonight's game; Kurtis' Curveballs

Game 2 of the Illini men's basketball season is tonight! Florida Gulf Coast comes to town and we'll preview the game. Plus, Alex Martin from the Naples Daily News calls in to tell us about the FGC roster.

And Kurtis has your Friday Curveballs that could injure Evan!

11/06/25 Hour 2: Head Coach Bret Bielema's Presser; Ravi Lulla Talks Big Ten Football; Etched in Stone

Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talks with the media as the team heads into an off week. Coach Bielema addresses injuries, the future the quaterback position, transfer portal, and more.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat sports takes on a trip around the Big Ten football schedule for this weekend. 

We need some money! Evan has your "Etched in Stone" bets for this weekend!