The Drive on ESPN 93.5

2/20/24 Hour 1: What would it have been like to cover old Illini teams?; Potential Illini NCAA Tournament opponents

Lon and Derek reminisce about some old Illini basketball teams and what it would've been like to cover them on the show. Later, the guys talk some bracketology and potential NCAA Tournament matchups for Illinois.

2/19/24 Hour 2: Harmon comes up big; Underwood talks first win at Maryland; Coleman Hawkins becoming Big Ten's latest villian?

Lon and Derek discuss some more Illini hoops including Justin Harmon's big impact against Maryland. Hear from Brad Underwood following his first win at Maryland as Illinois head coach. Later, the guys talk about whether Coleman Hawkins has become the Big Ten's newest villian.

2/19/24 Hour 1: Illini finally knock off Maryland in College Park; Who's the Big Ten Coach of the Year?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's 85-80 victory over Maryland after years of struggles against the Terps. Later, the guys share their thoughts on this season's Big Ten Coach of the Year race and if Brad Underwood has a chance to win it.

2/15/24 Hour 2: What's with so many college hoops blowouts?; Thoughts on MLB's remaining free agents

Derek and Kyle share some thoughts on some recent college basketball results including some surprising blowouts around the country. Later, the guys discuss some of MLB's top remaining free agents and where they could land.

2/15/24 Hour 1: MLB Pre-Spring Training Power Rankings; Jeff Jones (Belleville News-Democrat) live from Cardinals spring training

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Athletic's MLB Power Rankings heading into Spring Training. Later, Jeff Jones from the Belleville News-Democrat joins the show live from the Cardinals complex to share some updates from the start of Cardinals camp.

2/14/24 Hour 2: Luke Goode on dominance over Michigan, defensive improvement; Who could be next at Ohio State after Holtmann's firing?

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to recap the Illini's dominant win over Michigan, what it's like to have such a lopsided record against one program, and the team's emphasis on defense. Later, the guys discuss Ohio State firing head coach Chris Holtmann and who could be next in Columbus.

2/14/24 Hour 1: Brad Underwood stays undefeated against Juwan Howard; Has Coleman Hawkins's consistency made him a surefire NBA draft pick?

Lon and Derek break down the Illini's blowout victory over Michigan and Brad Underwood's continued dominance over Juwan Howard. Later, the guys discuss Coleman Hawkins's impressive consistency and whether or not he's done enough to be highly drafted in the NBA Draft.

2/13/24 Hour 2: Illini due for dominant home performance vs Michigan; Underwood talks MSU ending & what's ahead

Lon and Derek discuss the Illini's relatively flat home performance this season and the need to take care of Michigan in dominant fashion. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he shares his thoughts following his team's late game failures against MSU and the game ahead vs the Wolverines. 

2/13/24 Hour 1: What's behind Illini's defensive struggles of late?; Cubs & Cardinals free agency thoughts

Lon and Derek discuss what the primary causes of the Illini's defensive struggles are and what some adjustments could be to improve going forward. Later, the guys share some thoughts on MLB free agency and if the Cubs or Cardinals will still be involved in the late stages.

2/12/24 Hour 2: Concerned about Illini's lackluster resume?; Diagnosing the defensive issues

Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini's lackluster NCAA Tournament resume and the disappointment of squandering a Quad 1 opportunity against Michigan State. Later, the guys try to diagnose the Illini's defensive struggles and whether or not they can be fixed.

2/12/24 Hour 1: Mahomes leads Chiefs to another Super Bowl - Where does his greatness stack up?; Illini fall apart against MSU

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Super Bowl and where Patrick Mahomes's greatness at the quarterback position stacks up after leading the Chiefs to their third ring. Later, the guys discuss the Illini's late game collapse in East Lansing.

2/8/24 Hour 2: Tailon Leitzsey (Former Illini DB) on playing in loaded DB room, family foundation; Cole Rusk (Illini TE) on transferring to Illinois

Former Illinois defensive back Tailon Leitzsey joins the show to share some stories about being in a loaded DB room filled with future NFL players and discuss some of his work with his foundation along with local company Two Men and a Truck. Later, new Illinois TE transfer Cole Rusk talks about committing to Illinois and the year ahead.

2/8/24 Hour 1: Wisconsin takes stunning loss; Stephen Brooks (Spartan Tailgate) previews Illinois-Michigan State matchup

Lon and Kyle share some thoughts on Illinois' matchup with Michigan State and react to Wisconsin taking a stunning loss to Michigan. Later, Stephen Brooks from 247 Sports' Spartan Tailgate site joins the show to share some insight on Michigan State.

2/7/24 Hour 2: Luke Goode on thriller vs Nebraska, week off; Bielema talks new signee & staff changes

Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to recap the team's thrilling win against Nebraska, his cold shooting stretch and his week off before the Illini's next game. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he discusses his team's new signee and some recent changes to his staff.

2/7/24 Hour 1: Will Illini football ever compete in the Big Ten again?; Andy Olson (WCIA 3) on Illini, high school hoops

Lon and Kyle discuss whether Illinois will ever compete in football in the Big Ten again and some ideas for a conference division that gives them a fighting chance. Later, Andy Olson from WCIA 3 joins the show to share some thoughts on the Illini and area high school basketball.

2/6/24 Hour 2: Matt Silich on NBA Trade Deadline, Ayo; Early Super Bowl thoughts

NBA expert and former Drive intern Matt Silich joins the show to share insight into the NBA Trade Deadline, the Bulls' future, and Ayo Dosunmu's continued development. Later, Lon and Kyle give some initial thoughts on the Super Bowl matchup.

2/6/24 Hour 1: Rick Pitino's college basketball salary cap idea; Big Ten coaches on the hot seat

Lon and Kyle discuss some trending sports stories such as Rick Pitino's college basketball proposal and the Blackhawks-Blues winter classic gam. Later, the guys discuss which Big Ten basketball coaches are most on the hot seat.

2/5/24 Hour 2: Underwood, players audio after victory; Illini's rest of season schedule

Lon and Kyle discuss where Illinois stands and what their upcoming schedule holds. Hear from Ty Rodgers, Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins and Brad Underwood following the Illini's overtime victory over Nebraska.

2/5/24 Hour 1: Illini escape with OT win over Nebraska; What's with this season's struggles at home?

Lon and Kyle break down the Illini's thrilling OT escape of Nebraska 87-84 and how the Illini were able to survive a red hot Husker team. Later, the guys discuss a variety of Illini hoops topics including the team's relative struggles at home this year and their defensive strategy on opposing big men.

2/2/24 Hour 2: European travel wishes, Bracketology update; 'Who Ya Got?' with Hans Dee

Lon, Kyle, and Hans discuss the places they most want to travel to and give an update on the Big Ten's latest Bracketology standing. Later, Hans Dee leads his award-winning segment "Who Ya Got?" with predictions for the weekend's slate of college hoops.