The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

12/19/24 Hour 2: Problems with CFP's transfer portal schedule; What will NIL look like in the revenue sharing era?

Derek and Kyle discuss some of the problems that have arisen with college football's transfer portal window including Penn State's backup quarterback leaving his team before the playoffs and what the possible remedies are. Later, the guys talk about NIL, particularly as it relates to what NIL deals could look like once revenue sharing goes into effect.

12/18/24 Hour 1: Biggest threats to win the Big Ten in hoops; Do the Illini need to play faster?

Derek and Kyle discuss some of the biggest threats to win the Big Ten in basketball and what the winner's conference record could look like this season. Later, the guys share their thoughts on whether Illinois needs to play with more pace to improve its offense.

12/17/24 Hour 2: How bad has Ben Humrichous's rebounding been?; Dissecting Illini's offensive struggles and what could change

Derek and Kyle discuss Ben Humrichous's poor rebounding of late using some historcial data and discuss how important rebounding will be for him to maintain his rotational spot. Later, the guys talk about the Illini's recent offensive struggles and brainstorm some ways they can improve moving forward.

12/17/24 Hour 1: Mt. Zion TE J.C. Anderson joins the show; What's led to Illini's defensive improvement?

2026 Mt. Zion tight end and Illini target J.C. Anderson joins the show to share some insight on his recruiting process and thoughts on Illinois. Later, Lon and Derek discuss what's led to the Illini's defensive improvement since the Alabama loss.

12/16/24 Hour 2: Illinois stumbles late in loss to Tennessee; Breaking down the late-game miscues and what's next

Lon and Kyle break down the Illini's buzzer-beating loss to #1 Tennessee and all of the late game mistakes that cost Illinois a victory. The guys also discuss the Illini's impressive defensive improvement and their thoughts about where Illinois is moving forward.

12/16/24 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Illini fall to Tennessee, Luke Altmyer announces return; CFP preview

J Leman joins Lon and Kyle for his weekly football hour and talks a little basketball after the Illini fell to #1 Tennessee. The guys also discuss Luke Altmyer's decision to return to Illinois and preview the first round of the College Football Playoff.

12/13/24 Hour 2: Previewing Illinois-Tennessee; Cubs land Kyle Tucker

Derek and Kyle continue previewing Illinois and Tennessee and share some of their keys to the game for the Illini to pull off the upset. Later, the guys react to the Cubs pulling off a blockbuster deal for Kyle Tucker. The guys also give their predictions for the Illinois-Tennessee game.

12/13/24 Hour 1: Illini's history hosting AP #1 teams; How challenging will Tennessee matchup be for KJ?

Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini's previous instances hosting an AP #1 team in Champaign. The guys also break down the matchup against Tennessee and discuss their level of concern about Kasparas Jakucionis being able to handle Tennessee's physicality.

12/11/24 Hour 2: Thoughts on Illini's full 2025 football schedule; Bill Belichick to UNC?

Lon and Derek share their thoughts on Illinois football's full 2025 football schedule and what stands out most with all of the dates officially announced. Later, the guys react to Bill Belichick reportedly taking the North Carolina job and whether they think it will work out.

12/11/24 Hour 1: Illini bounce back with win over Wisconsin behind Tre White breakout; Marveling in KJ's stardom

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's 86-80 victory over Wisconsin including Tre White's breakout night, Kaspras Jakucionis's continued stardom, and the way the Illini's starting backcourt is coming together.

12/10/24 Hour 2: How much would Ty Rodgers have helped this team?; Boswell's defensive importance vs Badgers

Derek and Kyle discuss how much Ty Rodgers could've helped this Illini team if he hadn't decided to redshirt. Later, the guys talk about Kylan Boswell's importance in slowing down Wisconsin and give their predictions for the game.

12/10/24 Hour 1: Lon weighs in on Northwestern loss; How tough will this matchup vs Wisconsin be?

Lon and Derek talk some Illinois hoops as Lon gives his take on the Illinois loss to Northwestern. The guys also discuss how tough the game against Wisconsin could be for Illinois and how much more Brad Underwood needs to rely on his bench.

12/9/24 Hour 2: Breaking down Illini's disappointing loss to Northwestern; Thoughts on late-game lineup decisions & what's next

Derek and Kyle break down the Illini's overtime loss to Northwestern and what went wrong down the stretch. The guys share their thoughts on some late game lineup and coaching decisions and also start to look ahead to the Illini's matchup with Wisconsin.

12/9/24 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Illini are headed to the Citrus Bowl!; Thoughts on matchup with South Carolina & reaction to CFP bracket

J Leman joins the show for his weekly football hour to discuss Illinois' selection to the Citrus Bowl against South Carolina. J and Derek discuss the matchup against the Gamecocks, react to the College Football Playoff bracket, and share their thoughts on some recent coaching news.

12/6/24 Hour 2: Keys for Illini in first true road game at Northwestern; Who Ya Got? Conference championship picks

Lon and Kyle break down their keys to the game for Illinois against Northwestern and how they could go about slowing down Northwestern's duo of scorers. Later, the guys do some Who Ya Got? (without Hans Dee) and give their picks for the weekend's college football conference championship games.

12/6/24 Hour 1: Derek Piper live from the road breaks down Illinois-Northwestern; Illini TE commit Grant Smith joins the show

Derek Piper joins Lon and Kyle live on his way to Evanston to break down the Illini's Big Ten opener against Northwestern. Later, Maroa-Forsyth TE and Illinois commit Grant Smith joins the show to discuss his signing with the Illini. Lon and Kyle share some thoughts on the Illini's signing day class as a whole.

12/5/24 Hour 2: Reacting to crazy night of college hoops; Bielema talks Signing Day class; Pat Bryant opts out of bowl game

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on a wild night of college basketball including how scary Duke can become and North Carolina's struggles. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he breaks down his 2025 National Signing Day class. The guys also discuss Pat Bryant electing to not play in the Illini's bowl game.

12/5/24 Hour 1: Number 1 likely coming to Champaign next weekend after night of upsets; Previewing Illinois-Northwestern

Derek and Kyle discuss Illinois likely getting a chance to host #1 Tennessee next weekend and how important that opportunity will be for the Illini's resume. The guys also preview the Illini's upcoming matchup with Northwestern and some things they'll be watching in the team's first road game.

12/4/24 Hour 2: Who would you put your money on to win the Big Ten today?; Piper weighs on on Bears coaching candidates

Derek and Kyle make their picks for who they would put their money on to win the Big Ten in basketball and run through some of the top candidates. Later, Derek shares his thoughts on a few Bears head coaching candidates.

12/4/24 Hour 1: Thoughts on Illini football's National Signing Day class; Big Ten hoops gets off to exciting start

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on Illini football's National Signing Day class and the recruiting trajectory Bret Bielema and the Illini staff are on. The guys also react to two exciting Big Ten games to kick off conference play.