The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

11/4/24 Hour 2: Whose Illini debut are you most excited to see tonight?; Underwood on finding defensive toughness

Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini newcomers they're most excited to see make their Illini debuts against Eastern Illinois. The guys preview the matchup with the Panthers and talk about Brad Underwood's calls for more defensive toughness and grit coming off the Ole Miss exhibition.

11/4/24 Hour 1: J LEMAN HOUR: Thoughts on disappointing loss to Minnesota, Altmyer's recent struggles, How to judge 6-3 start

J Leman joins the show for his weekly football hour to share his thoughts on the Illini's disappointing 25-17 loss to Minnesota. The guys also discuss what's led to Luke Altmyer's recent struggles and how to properly judge the Illini's 6-3 start and the quality of their roster.

11/1/24 Hour 2: College Gameday Live from Pia's!

Lon and Derek are live at Pia's Sports Bar and Grill in Champaign to preview the Illini's game against Minnesota and share some thoughts ahead of Illinois basketball's season opener against Eastern Illinois. Hans Dee also stops by for his award-winning segment "Who Ya Got?"

11/1/24 Hour 1: College Gameday Live from Pia's!

Lon and Derek are live at Pia's Sports Bar and Grill in Champaign to break down the Illini's matchup against Minnesota. Former Illinois Associate AD also stops by to catch up and share his thoughts on the Illini's big year.

10/31/24 Hour 2: Illinois feeling the loss of Tim Anderson at all?: Ivisic's impact on Illini offense; Bielema on Minnesota game

Derek and Kyle discuss whether Illinois is feeling the loss of Tim Anderson at all on the recruiting trail and what could be next at that assistant coach spot for Brad Underwood. The guys also discuss how crucial Tomislav Ivisic is to Illinois this season. Later, hear from head coach Bret Bielema as he shares his final thoughts ahead of the game against Minnesota.

10/31/24 Hour 1: Dodgers come all the way back to clinch World Series; Aaron Leming (Bear Report) on Washington disaster, Eberflus's future in Chicago

Derek and Kyle discuss the Dodgers erasing a 5-0 deficit to win the World Series and how hard it will be to take them down in the future. Later, Aaron Leming from the Bear Report joins the show to share his thoughts on the Hail Mary debacle in Washington, Caleb Williams's progress, and what the future holds for Matt Eberflus in Chicago.

10/30/24 Hour 2: More notable CBB exhibition results; Lunney on offensive keys against Minnesota

Derek and Kyle continue discussing some notable college hoops exhibition results from around the country. Later, hear from offensive coordinator Barry Lunney as he discusses his offense ahead of this weekend's game against Minnesota.

10/30/24 Hour 1: Can Yankees make this World Series interesting?; Notable CBB exhibition results

Derek and Kyle discuss the fan interference controversy at the World Series and whether they think the Yankees can make it a series again. The guys go through some notable exhibition results around college basketball.

10/29/24 Hour 2: How important would a 9 or 10 win season be for Illinois?; Altmyer, Bielema on moving on from Oregon, A few more hoops thoughts

Derek and Kyle discuss what a 9 or 10-win season could do for the Illinois football program. Hear from Luke Altmyer and Bret Bielema as they discuss moving on from the Oregon loss. Later, the guys share a few more Illini hoops thoughts coming off the exhibition against Ole Miss.

10/29/24 Hour 1: Thoughts on Minnesota being favored against Illini; Could Cignetti be poached following Indiana's breakthrough season?

Derek and Kyle discuss how surprised they are at Minnesota coming into Champaign as a favorite. The guys also talk about how important this game is for Illinois, and whether Curt Cignetti could be poached from Indiana this offseason. 

10/28/24 Hour 2: Thoughts on Illinois/Ole Miss exhibition; Any level of concern?; How much can this team improve defensively?

Lon, Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Illini's rough exhibition showing at Ole Miss and whether they have any level of concern moving forward. The guys also discuss how much they believe this group can improve defensively?

10/28/24 J LEMAN HOUR: Illini dominated by Oregon 38-9; What went so wrong?; Previewing a massive November stretch

J Leman joins Lon and Derek for his weekly football hour to break down the Illini's 38-9 loss at Oregon and how things got away so quickly for Illinois. The guys also preview the upcoming matchup with an improving Minnesota team and a crucial month for November for the program.

10/25/24 Hour 2: Final thoughts before Illinois-Oregon; Who Ya Got? weekend picks

Lon and Kyle give some final thoughts about what they're expecting when Illinois travels to Oregon. Hear from wide receiver Pat Bryant as he discusses his big year and the opportunity ahead. Later, the guys look ahead to the weekend and do some "Who Ya Got?" without Hans Dee.

10/25/24 Hour 1: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) previews Illini-Oregon matchup; Are you ok with house money approach to this game?

Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner joins the show to preview the Illini's matchup with Oregon. Lon and Kyle discuss if they're ok taking a house money approach to this game or whether fans should be getting a little greedier.

10/24/24 Hour 2: Thoughts on Underwood's comments regarding Bennett's retirement, state of college hoops; Underwood previews Ole Miss exhibition

Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on Brad Underwood's comments regarding Tony Bennett's retirement and his approach to the new college basketball landscape. Later, hear from Underwood as he previews his team's exhibition against Ole Miss.

10/24/24 Hour 1: Tomislav Ivisic cleared for exhibition — good sign for eligibility?; Things to watch for in exhibition vs Ole Miss

Derek and Kyle discuss the news that Tomislav Ivisic will be available for the Illini's exhibition game against Ole Miss and whether it's a good sign for his long-term eligibility. Later, the guys share some things they'll be watching in the exhibition.

10/23/24 Hour 2: More Illinois postseason scenarios; What would a bowl win mean for the Illini?; Bielema on turning page, traveling to Oregon

Derek and Kyle continue discussing some scenarios for Illinois football the rest of the season and what a bowl win would mean for the Illini. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he discusses turning the page from the Michigan game and his team's travel schedule heading to Eugene. The guys react to Terrence Shannon Jr. not cracking the Timberwolves' rotation.

10/23/24 Hour 1: Breaking down the rooting guide for Illini's CFP chances; What could happen if Illinois upsets Oregon?

Derek and Kyle discuss what Illini fans should be rooting for the rest of the season as it relates to their College Football Playoff chances. The guys also discuss what a win at Oregon would mean, AP Poll ranking and otherwise.

10/22/24 Hour 2: Who will emerge from loaded NFC North race?; Aaron Henry on defensive bounceback; AJ Dybantsa's crazy NIL valuation

Derek and Kyle discuss the latest injury news that puts the Caleb Williams-Jayden Daniels showdown in jeopardy and also share thoughts on who could emerge in the NFC North race. Hear from Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry as he talks about his defense's bounceback performance. Later, the guys react to a crazy NIL number floating around for AJ Dybantsa.

10/22/24 Hour 1: NBA is back tonight — but how much do we care?; Illinois big underdogs against #1 Oregon

Derek and Kyle discuss the return of the NBA regular season and how much interest has waned with how many star players sit out. Later, the guys discuss Illinois' matchup with Oregon and their history as big underdogs.