The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

11/2/23 Hour 2: Reflecting on Bob Knight’s complicated legacy; Stephen Bardo talks playing against Knight and first impressions of Illini hoops

Lon and Derek reflect on legendary Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight's complicated legacy and share some stories from throughout his career following his passing. Later, former Illini guard Stephen Bardo joins the show to discuss what it was like playing against Coach Knight and also share some thoughts on what he's seen from this year's Illini basketball team.

11/2/23 Hour 1: Rangers win first World Series in franchise history; Daniel House (Gophers Guru) previews Illini’s matchup with Minnesota

Lon and Derek discuss the Rangers winning their first World Series title in franchise history and being on cusp of the MLB offseason. Later, Daniel House from Gophers Guru joins the show to preview Minnesota and what the Illini should expect to see on Saturday.

11/1/23 Hour 2: Intense race for #1 pick in the NFL; How much has confidence grown in Illinois basketball?

Lon and Derek break down the road ahead for the NFL teams in the race for the #1 pick, including the Bears and Cardinals. Later, the guys discuss how much some of the preseason concerns with Illini basketball have been alleviated following the Kansas exhibition.

11/1/23 Hour 1: Marlee Wierda (WOOD TV) talks Lions, Michigan football scandal; Rangers on the verge of winning World Series

Former WCIA and current WOOD TV reporter Marlee Wierda joins the show to discuss the Lions breakout and Michigan football scandal. Later, Lon and Derek discuss the Rangers knocking on the door of a World Series title.

10/31/23: Aaron Leming (Bear Report) talks Montez Sweat deal and future of Bears regime; Bielema talks Minnesota

Aaron Leming from the Bear Report joins the show to discuss the Bears trading for Montez Sweat at the deadline, the Jaylon Johnson situation and what the future of this current Bears regime looks like. Lon and Derek share some thoughts on the Bears. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he shares some thoughts ahead of this weekend's game.

10/31/23 Hour 1: Favorite Halloween costumes; More Illinois-Kansas thoughts; Luke Goode discusses big exhibition win and preparing for regular season

Lon and Derek discuss some of their favorite Halloween costumes as kids. The guys also share some more reaction from the Illinois-Kansas exhibition. Luke Goode joins the show to recap the team's win and how much confidence it gives them heading into the regular season.

10/30/23 Hour 2: Luke Altmyer on bye week and quest for bowl eligibility; How encouraged are you by Illini hoops win?

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer joins the show to discuss how he's handled the bye week and the team's mindset as they try to reach bowl eligibility during their final four games. Later, the guys share some more thoughts from Illini basketball's win over Kansas and their level of encouragement from the performance.

10/30/23 Hour 1: Illinois beats Kansas in exhibition game!; J Leman shares bye week thoughts

Lon and Derek recap the Illini's victory over #1 Kansas in their charity exhibition game. Later, J Leman joins the show for his weekly hour to share some thoughts on Illinois football's bye week and the road ahead during the final four games of the season.

10/27/23 Hour 2: Illini assistant Chester Frazier joins the show!; Reflecting on Self’s exit from Champaign

Illini assistant basketball coach Chester Frazier joins the show to preview the Illini's exhibition against Kansas and his 2023-24 squad. Later, Lon and Derek look back at Bill Self's exit from Illinois 20 years later.

10/27/23 Hour 1: Bill Self set to return to Champaign for first time; Norm Roberts (Kansas assistant coach) shares stories from time with Illini

Lon and Derek discuss the imminent return for Bill Self to Champaign for the first time and the Illini's exhibition with Kansas. Later, current Kansas assistant coach Norm Roberts joins the show to reflect on his time under Self at Illinois and share some funny stories from those loaded teams.

Norm Roberts Interview

Derek sits down for an interview with former Illini assistant and current Kansas assistant coach Norm Roberts who shares insights from his time in Champaign including recruiting experiences and behind the scenes stories.

10/26/23 Hour 2: College hoops superlatives (Part 2); Eli Hershkovich (The Lines) talks college basketball and betting

Derek and Kyle go through some Big Ten and college basketball superlatives. Later, Eli Hershkovich from The Lines joins the show to discuss some of the Illini's opponents and college basketball betting advice.

10/26/23 Hour 1: Early thoughts on Illinois-Kansas matchup; College hoops superlatives (Part 1)

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's exhibition matchup with Kansas and what they're most looking forward to. Later, the guys hit on some Big Ten basketball superlatives for the upcoming season.

10/25/23 Hour 2: Joey Wright (News Gazette) previews high school football playoffs; Bielema shares bye week updates

Joey Wright from the News Gazette joins the show to preview the high school football playoffs for a variety of area teams. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he shares updates about his team during the bye week.

10/25/23 Hour 1: Thoughts on Rangers-Diamondbacks World Series matchup; Scott Powers (The Athletic) talks Blackhawks and Connor Bedard

Lon and Derek share their thoughts on the Rangers-Diamondbacks World Series matchup and how each team has turned things around so fast. Later, Scott Powers from The Athletic joins the show to discuss the Blackhawks and the start of Connor Bedard's career.

10/24/23 Hour 2: Luke Goode in studio!; Matt Silich previews start of NBA season

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins Lon and Derek in studio to discuss the team's charity exhibition against Kansas and what he expects from the team this season. Later, Matt Silich joins the show to preview the start of the NBA season.

10/24/23 Hour 1: New information coming to light in Michigan scandal; Adolis Garcia continues to haunt the Cardinals

Lon and Derek discuss the new developments in the Michigan football sign stealing scandal and how bad things could really end up being. Later, the guys chat some baseball and share their disgust over Adolis Garcia's dominant playoff performance and the recent failures of the Cardinals.

10/23/23 Hour 2: NFL takeaways; Feelings coming off Wisconsin loss; Illini hoops exhibition recap

The guys share some thoughts from the weekend's NFL games. Later, the guys discuss the feeling coming off the stunning loss to Wisconsin on Saturday. Derek and Kyle give their biggest takeaways from the Ilini basketball team's first exhibition.

10/23/23 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Badgers hand the Illini a gut punch; Breaking down the targeting call and fourth quarter collapse

J Leman joins Lon and Derek for his weekly hour to break down the Illini's fourth quarter collapse against Wisconsin including the controversial targeting call and what went wrong late.

10/20/23 Hour 2: Live at Pia’s!

Lon and Derek are live at Pia's Sports Bar and Grill in Champaign talking Illini football's Homecoming matchup with Wisconsin and Illini basketball's first exhibition game!