The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini joins the show to discuss why former Illinois star Keaton Wagler potentially landing with the Chicago Bulls could be an ideal situation for both sides. 

The conversation also turns to the latest Illinois football and basketball recruiting developments as Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood continue building momentum on the recruiting trail. From quarterback commitments to basketball targets, we discuss the names Illini fans need to know.

Later, we take a trip down memory lane and draft our Top 10 Players of the Tim Beckman Era at Illinois. Despite the struggles of those teams, several standout players emerged and left lasting marks on the program.

Plus, listeners get introduced to the newest member of The Drive team as we welcome intern Quinn Flavin to the show!

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The New York Knicks are one win away from their first NBA title since 1973 after completing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history Wednesday night. New York erased a 29-point deficit and stunned the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. OG Anunoby delivered the game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining, capping a historic rally that saw the Knicks outscore San Antonio 58-30 in the second half.

Carson Gourdie  from WICS-TV & Fox-Illinois breaks down what Illini Football landing Tolono Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger means for the future of Bret Bielema's quarterback room, how recent commitments are shaping the Illini's recruiting momentum, and why Lincoln Williams could be a difference-maker for Illinois basketball.

Plus, Carson has an update on St. Joe-Ogden baseball as the Spartans prepare for the IHSA Class 2A State Finals, looking to cap another remarkable postseason run with a state championship.

The 2026 NBA Finals shift into a pivotal Game 4 tonight as the New York Knicks look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs. After San Antonio's 115-111 win in Game 3, all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama, who dominated with 32 points and completely changed the series with his rim protection and ability to control the paint. The Knicks still lead 2-1, but another Wemby masterpiece could swing the momentum back to San Antonio heading home.

If the Spurs ultimately win this series, it's hard to see anyone other than Victor Wembanyama taking home Finals MVP. He's been the most impactful player on the floor on both ends and is beginning to solve New York's offense while creating matchup nightmares for the Knicks.

The Cardinals continue their series against the Mets looking to build momentum. How good are the Birds right now?

Out west, the Cubs continue their series with the Rockies. How bleak are things for the Cubs right now?

Plus, Evan Stone transforms into Hulk Hogan to react to the growing excitement around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"Whatcha gonna do, brother, when World Cup Mania runs wild on YOU?!" 🌎⚽💪

Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer breaks down why the addition of Lincoln Williams was perfect timing for Brad Underwood and Illinois Basketball after the late recruiting cycle. Williams finished his high school career with 1,853 points and gives the Illini another talented in-state guard with scoring ability and defensive upside.

Plus, Kyle reviews the impressive start by Illinois signee Quentin Coleman with Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where the freshman forward opened tournament play with an 11-point, 15-rebound double-double and showcased the athleticism that has Illini fans excited.

Also, the guys discuss Tolono Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger committing to Illinois Football and what the local standout brings to Bret Bielema's quarterback room moving forward.

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins the show to break down what Illinois is getting in newly-committed quarterback Sladen Shack, why the coaching staff made him a priority, and what stands out most about his game. We also discuss four-star basketball recruit Lincoln Williams, how his recruitment unfolded, and what his commitment means for Brad Underwood's future roster plans.

Plus, it's Tuesday Draft Day as we build our lists of the Best Sports Video Games of All Time. From NCAA Football and Madden to NBA Jam, MVP Baseball, and more, which classics make the cut?

And we wrap things up with another edition of World Cup Tweets, featuring the funniest posts from the international fans experiencing America for the first time.

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06/09/26 Hour 1: Illinois Football lands 3-Star Quarterback Sladen Shack - what you need to know; Cardinals vs Mets and Cubs vs Rockies Preview

Illinois football added another piece to its future quarterback room as three-star 2027 signal caller Sladen Shack from Brandon, Mississippi announced his commitment to Bret Bielema and the Illini. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound quarterback chose Illinois over offers from Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, UConn, South Florida, East Carolina and others. Shack is rated as one of Mississippi's top prospects in the Class of 2027 and becomes Illinois' quarterback commitment for the cycle after the staff reset its recruiting board this spring. Illinois coaches Art Sitkowski and Barry Lunney Jr. prioritized Shack following strong evaluations and an official visit to Champaign. The commitment continues Illinois' recent pipeline into Mississippi, following the success of former Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer. 

Then we shift to baseball as the Cardinals open a three-game series against the Mets at Citi Field. St. Louis enters the matchup at 35-28 and currently holds the top National League Wild Card position, while New York sits at 29-36 but comes home with momentum after winning series against both San Diego and Seattle. Young stars Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt continue to fuel the Cardinals' surprising season, while the Mets welcome catcher Francisco Alvarez back from the injured list ahead of the series opener. The matchup features two teams trying to strengthen their playoff positioning in a crowded National League race.

Meanwhile, the Cubs begin a six-game season series with the Rockies at Coors Field. Chicago enters the series looking to gain ground after an inconsistent stretch, while Colorado continues rebuilding after a difficult 2025 campaign. The probable pitching matchups feature Colin Rea vs. Tomoyuki Sugano, Shota Imanaga vs. Michael Lorenzen, and Edward Cabrera vs. Ryan Feltner. Despite Colorado's struggles, Coors Field has historically been a difficult place for the Cubs, making this an important road test as they try to stay in the National League playoff picture. 

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to break down the latest developments in the Bears stadium saga and explains why he believes the franchise ultimately won't be relocating to Indiana despite recent headlines and speculation. What hurdles remain, and what could keep the Bears rooted in Illinois?

The Illini continue to build for the future with the commitment of Kankakee star Lincoln Williams. The highly regarded prospect adds another talented in-state piece to Brad Underwood's recruiting efforts and gives Illinois fans plenty to be excited about moving forward.

Plus, we discuss another impressive performance from Quentin Coleman while representing Team USA at the U18 level. The rising Illini standout continues to showcase his talent on the international stage, further fueling expectations for his future in Champaign.

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The future continues to look bright in Champaign as Illinois basketball adds one of the state's rising stars, Kankakee standout Lincoln Williams. Williams turned heads throughout his high school career, including a record-setting 44-point performance that broke Kankakee's single-game scoring mark, and now gives the Illini another talented in-state piece for the future.

On the football side, Bret Bielema and his staff continue to build recruiting momentum, adding three more commitments as Illinois looks to follow up what has become one of the strongest recruiting stretches in program history. The Illini have elevated their recruiting profile significantly in recent years, consistently landing top in-state talent and competing for higher-ranked classes nationally.

Plus, we pay tribute to legendary Bulls broadcaster and former NBA champion Stacey King.

All that and more in today's Illini Headlines.

The Bears-to-Indiana conversation continues as Chris Kwiecinski from Fox 32 joins us with the latest from Halas Hall following Thursday's bombshell announcement from Chairman George McCaskey and President/CEO Kevin Warren. What hurdles remain before the Bears can officially call Indiana home? Chris brings the latest reporting and analysis.

Then, Kurtis takes over the classroom and gives Evan a crash course in modern baseball statistics. Which advanced metrics actually matter? Which ones are overrated? And can analytics really tell us more than the traditional numbers fans grew up with?

Plus, it's Friday, which means it's time for our weekly Toasts! We'll celebrate the best moments of the week, recognize the people who deserve a shoutout, and send everyone into the weekend on a positive note.

All that and more on Hour 2! 🍻

The Chicago Bears took their biggest step yet toward leaving Illinois, as Chairman George McCaskey and President/CEO Kevin Warren announced that the team's Board of Directors has voted to advance plans for a new stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. While an exact site has not yet been selected, the vote marks the first time the Bears' board has formally approved a stadium location path, signaling Indiana has become the franchise's preferred option.

We'll break down what this means for Bears fans, whether Illinois still has any chance of keeping the team, and if "The Hammond Bears" could actually become a reality after more than a century in Illinois.

Plus, the Cardinals open a key divisional series against the Reds as they look to continue their strong play in the NL Central race.

And after getting embarrassed by the Giants today, are the Cubs back to unraveling? We'll discuss what's gone wrong and whether concern is warranted on the North Side.

All that and more on Hour 1!

Hall of Fame baseball writer Rob Rains joins the show to discuss the Cardinals' recent surge and why this team appears to be playing with a loose, confident attitude. He shares his thoughts on what's fueling the club's success, the impact of manager Oliver Marmol, and identifies the player who has emerged as his biggest surprise star so far this season.

The NFL rumor mill is buzzing again as speculation grows about a potential return of Aaron Donald to the Los Angeles Rams. Is there any chance the future Hall of Famer comes out of retirement, and what would it mean for the Rams' Super Bowl hopes?

Plus, the show wraps up with another spirited Draft Day segment as the crew selects the most hateable athletes in sports history. From villains who dominated rival teams to controversial stars who seemed to thrive on fan outrage, the debate is sure to spark plenty of reactions.

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Isaac Ambrose joins the show to break down Bret Bielema's recent comments directed toward Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua and what they reveal about college football scheduling, playoff access, and the changing power structure of the sport.

The conversation then shifts to Illinois basketball and a debate that continues to gain steam in Champaign: has Brad Underwood already become the greatest coach in Illini history? With multiple Big Ten titles, deep NCAA Tournament runs, and the program's sustained success, the case for Underwood is stronger than ever. How does he stack up against Illinois legends such as Lou Henson and Harry Combes?

Plus, the NBA Finals opened with a surprise as the New York Knicks stunned the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1, stealing home-court advantage behind a strong fourth-quarter performance and putting early pressure on the Western Conference champions.

It's never too early to talk All-Stars! With the season approaching the midway point, we reveal our picks for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Who deserves a starting spot? Which players are having breakout seasons? And who are the biggest snubs if the voting ended today? We go position-by-position through our American League and National League selections.

Then it's time for another edition of Draft Day. This week's topic: The Most Hated Athletes in Sports History. From controversial stars and notorious villains to athletes fans loved to boo, we draft the biggest lightning rods sports has ever seen. Which names are automatic first-round picks, and which athletes generated the most passionate reactions from opposing fan bases?

Join us for All-Star debates, baseball talk, and one of the most entertaining Draft Day topics yet.

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The baseball season is a grind, and both the Cardinals and Cubs are feeling it right now as each club tries to stop recent losing stretches and stay in the thick of their division races. We break down what's gone wrong, what needs to change, and whether either team should be concerned long-term.

Plus, it's time for Illini Headlines as we catch up on the latest news surrounding Illinois athletics, including recruiting, summer workouts, and the biggest stories making waves around Champaign-Urbana.

And inspired by a conversation about sports rivalries, we ask: Who are the players from rival teams that you couldn't help but respect? Whether it was their talent, leadership, toughness, or ability to come through in big moments, we share the rivals we admired despite rooting against them.

Tune in for baseball talk, Illini updates, and a trip down memory lane with some of sports' most respected rivals.

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More discussion on Quinten Coleman's standout performance for Team USA and what it could mean for Illinois basketball moving forward.

Plus, Evan vs. Texters returns for Part 2 of the World Cup edition. What's more exciting - soccer or baseball?

And we discuss whether Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby should be banned after gambling scandal.

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Chris Kwiecinski joins the show to break down the latest on the Chicago Bears' stadium saga as Illinois lawmakers failed to approve a stadium financing bill, leaving Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, as the leading options for the franchise's future home.

Plus, Illini Headlines featuring a big performance from Quinten Coleman, Hall of Famer Jenna Hall takes over softball, and Evan takes on the texters in a World Cup-themed edition!

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Glenn Kinley from WCIA 3 Sports joins the show to discuss the IHSA Track & Field State Championships and what Andrej Stojakovic's return means for Illinois basketball. How real is the hype?

We also give our Cardinals vs. Cubs series predictions and our Friday Toasts to wrap up the week!

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Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports talks Illini basketball, Andrej Stojakovic, football schedule; Brian Walton previews Cards vs Cubs Series. 

Tristan Thomas joins the show to discuss Andrej Stojakovic officially returning to Illinois, previews of the IHSA State Track Meet, and his latest showdown with Evan Stone in a Champaign-Urbana celebrity basketball game.

Can the San Antonio Spurs force a Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals?

Plus, Evan somehow finds himself on the wrong side of the law! 

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Illini Headlines - Andrej Stojakovic is officially BACK with the Illini after withdrawing from the NBA Draft, giving Brad Underwood and Illinois another huge piece for a potential national title contender!

Cubs vs Cardinals rivalry renewed with a big weekend series at Busch Stadium. Pierce the Intern will have live updates for us.

MLB owners propose the league’s first salary cap since the 1994-95 strike — which teams and players would be impacted the most?

Plus, Evan Stone ranks the Illini football schedule from least exciting to most exciting.

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