The Drive on ESPN 93.5

11/06/25 Hour 1: Illini Headlines; Brad Underwood's Press Conference Before the FGC Game; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illini Basketball head coach Brad Underwood met with the media today before tomorrow night's game against Florida Gulf Coast. Coach Underwood gave the latest injury report, talked about defensive concerns, and who will be starting week to week. 

Plus we check the other big Illini headlines for today and Kurtis throws a Curveball that hits himself!

11/05/25 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs; Daniel Thompson talks Bulls & Illini hoops; Our Roadside Snack Draft Results

Round 2 of the IHSA playoffs features a lot of are schools, including Tolono-Unity vs Monticello. We talk with Trista Thomas from WCIA about all of this weekend's games.

Daniel Thompson covers the Bulls and the Illini. He joins us to talk about both, and expectations for this year.

And the people have spoken! Who won our Roadside Snack Draft?

11/05/25 Hour 1: Illini Women's Basketball; Illini Headlines; Cardinals, Cubs, & MLB Hot Stove Talk; Kurtis' Curveballs

The Illini Women's Basketball team kicked off the season with a 91-67 win over SEMO. What are the expectations for this season?

Plus, Gabe Jacas is about to enter some elite company in Illini Football history. Listen to find out what we mean.

What would you do with the Cardinals roster this offseason? How about the Cubs? Hot Stove Talk is underway!

And Kurtis throws some serious Curveballs at you!

11/04/25 Hour 2: Zack Pearson from BearReport joins us to talks the Bears so far; Cardinals & Cubs Gold Gloves; Roadside Snacks Draft

Zack Pearson does a great job covering the Beas for BearReport and 247Sports. He joins us to talk about the season thus far, Caleb Williams progression, Ben Johnson, and today's trade deadline move. 

The Cardinals & Cubs have Gold Glovers on their teams. 

More Illini Headlines.

And this week's Tuesday Draft is Roadside Snacks!

11/04/25 Hour 1: Illini basketball crush Jackson State; Illini Headlines; NFL Trade Deadline Winners & Losers; Kurtis' Curveballs

The Illini Men's basketball team opened the season with a 113-55 win over Jackson State and nearly set a team record of 3's. Tomislav Ivisic and Ben Humrichous each scored 21. 

Plus, the Illini Women's team kicks off the season tonight against SEMO and it was a good day for Illini Soccer. We'll check the Illini headlines.

It was a BUSY day for the NFL Trade Deadline. The Colts made a blockbuster move for Sauce Gardner, the Bears filled a need, and the Jets are in a fire sale. But who won and who lost the day? We discuss.

And Kurtis is throwing some serious CURVEBALLS at Ethan!

11/03/25 Hour 2: The wait is over! Illini Basketball starts tonight vs Jackson State; Bears out-duel Bengals; Kurtis' Curveballs

The wait is over! The Fighting Illini men's basketball team kicks off the season tonight against Jackson State. We'll hear from head coach Brad Underwood about who's in and who's out. Plus, details on how you can win tickets for an upcoming game.

The Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals had one of the craziest games of the year yesterday & Da Bears won! What does this mean for Ben Johnson's team going forward? Will the Bears be buyers or sellers before tomorrow's trade deadline?

And Kurtis throws some CURVEBALLS at you!

11/03/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour on a Victory Monday! Illini dominate Rutgers; Where does Luke Altmyer rank on the Illini All-Time QB List?

The All-American J Leman is back in studio to talk about the Illini's huge win over Rutgers on Saturday. J discusses the game Lunney called for the offense, changes made on the defensive side of the ball, and expectations for the rest of the year.

Plus, where does Luke Altmyer rank among the all-time great Illini quarterbacks?

10/31/25 Hour 2: The Great Kyle Tausk talks Illini basketball's home opener & 2025 season; World Series Game 6; Illini vs Rutgers Final Predictions; Friday Toasts

Kyle Tausk joins us to talk about the Illini men's basketball home opener on Monday night. Get Kyle's insight on a few key injuries, expectations for the 2025 season, and news on recruits for 2026.

The Blue Jays look to close out the World Series tonight against the Dodgers.

We give our final predictions for Illinois vs Rutgers, plus our Friday toasts!

10/31/25 Hour 1: Kendall Bostic talks Illini Women's Basketball; Illini Headlines; Illinois vs Rutgers; Kurtis CURVEBALLS

It's an Illini Heavy Show!

Kendall Bostic joins us to talk about her new role with Illini Women's Basketball radio broadcasts, and the upcoming season.

We check out the latest Illini headlines heading into the weekend.

Kurtis throws Evan some manly Curveballs and we get your score predictions for Illinois vs Rutgers.

10/30/25 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla from HURRDAT Sports talks Big Ten Football; Etched in Stone; Illini Soccer vs Buckeyes

We take a trip around the Big Ten with our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports! Ravi gives his insight on Illinois vs Rutgers, Matt Ruhle's new contract, USC vs Nebraska,  and all the other games on this weekend's slate.

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

Illini Soccer kicks off Big Ten postseason play against Ohio State.

10/30/25 Hour 1: World Series Game 5; Illini Headlines; Haunting Illini Moments; Kurtis' Curveballs

Trey Yesavage had an all-time performance for the Blue Jays in Game 5 of the World Series. The Jays now lead the series 3-2. Can the Dodgers force a Game 7?

We check the latest Illini headlines, then take a SPOOKY turn with the Illini sports moments that still haunt us.

Kurtis throws his Curveballs and Evan ducks!

10/29/25 Hour 2: Richie O'Leary from The Knight Report talks Illini vs Rutgers; Horror Draft Recap; More Illini Headlines; World Series Game 5 Preview

Richie O'Leary is the Publisher of The Knight Report and covers the Scarlet Knights for ON3 Sports. He joins us to talk about the game this Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium, Greg Schiano taking over play calling, team injuries, and more.

The votes have been tallied for our Horror Movie Draft, but Kurtis thinks some chicanery happened! Did Evan cheat?!

We preview the pivotal Game 5 of the World Series after the Blue Jays tied things up at 2 games a piece.

10/29/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Rutgers preview; Illini Headlines; Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs; Kurtis' Curveballs

Rutgers is riddle with injuries and the Illini are currently 12.5 point favorites for Saturday's sold out game at Gies Memorial Stadium. We dive into the numbers.

Plus, there are A LOT of Illinois sports headlines today. Kurtis has the latest.

Tristan Thomas from WCIA 3 calls us to discuss the IHSA Playoffs. 

And Kurtis throws Evan a bunch of CURVEBALLS including "towns with dirty names."

10/28/25 Hour 2: The Drive's 1st Horror Movie Draft; World Series Game 3; Illini Basketball Nuggets

Game 3 of the World Series was an all-timer between the Dodgers & Blue Jays. The guys will discuss and preview tonight's pitching match-ups.

Kurtis and Evan square off in The Drive's first ever draft: HORROR MOVIES! 

And we have a few nuggets for Illini basketball, including details on how you can win tickets to upcoming games.

10/28/25 Hour 1: Illini Football meet with media; Evan's back in-studio; Did these Headlines Happen?; Kurtis' Curveballs

Evan's medical procedure was a success and he's back in the studio! He also might be a little loopy. Kurtis tests Evan with "Real or Fake Sports Headlines."

Illini O-Lineman Josh Gesky met with the media ahead of Saturday's game with Rutgers. 

Kurtis throws some Curveballs!

10/27/25 Hour 2: Mihailo Petrovic is cleared for Illini basketball; Bears lose to Ravens; Kurtis' Curveballs; and Evan has a PSA for everyone

Mihailo Petrovic is officially cleared to play for the Illinois men's basketball team. We'll give you our instant reactions. 

No Lamar, no problem! The Bears lost a winnable game to the Ravens on Sunday as Tyler Huntley outplayed Caleb Williams. Ben Johnson's frustration was palpable after the game and turned the focus to the leaders on the team.

Kurtis is throwing Curveballs and Evan has a PSA for all the male listeners. 

10/27/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! J helps us break down the Illini loss against Washington, plus answers your questions.

The All-American and former Illinois linebacker J Leman is fired up after the Illini's loss against Washington.

J shares his thoughts on the defense, DC Aaron Henry, the fans' reaction to the loss, and what the Illini need to do going forward. 

The text line was on FIRE for this one.

10/24/25 Hour 2: Final Illini vs Huskies predictions; Bears vs. Ravens; Kurtis vs Evan over a Peacock log-in; Etched in Stone; Friday Toasts!

We give you our final predictions for Illinois vs Washington.

Plus, an incredible Lamar Jackson stat that will most likely determine Sunday's Bears vs Ravens game.

WE NEED SOME MONEY! Get those bets Etched in Stone!

Why did Kurtis and Evan fight over a Peacock log-in, & why does it involve acting legend Kurt Russell?

And we give our FRIDAY TOASTS!

10/24/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Huskies preview; Illinois basketball lands HUGE recruit in Lucas Morillo; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illinois vs Washington is the biggest game on the Big Ten slate this weekend. We check the latest injury report for you and discuss what the Illini need to do to win.

Brad Underwood lands another one! Four-star recruit Lucas Morillo is coming to Champaign next season. We'll tell you what you need to know about the latest Illini.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins the show to talk Big Ten football for this weekend and gives his predictions.

And Kurtis throws you some serious CURVEBALLS!

10/23/25 Hour 2: Kurtis' CURVEBALLS; the latest on the NBA's gambling scandal with Chauncey Billups & Terry Rozier; Want the Illini in the playoffs? Evan tells us who to root for this weekend!

The NBA was rocked by a gambling scandal today involving Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, illegal poker games with the mafia, and more. We dive into the latest on this story.

Kurtis throws us some Curveballs.

Do you want to see the Illini in the NCAA Playoffs? Of course you do! Evan tells us who you need to root for this weekend to help get Illinois closer to that goal.