The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

7/11/23 Hour 1: Illini football players Dylan Davis & Kirkland Michaux in studio!

Lon and Derek have Illini football DL Dylan Davis and QB Kirkland Michaux in studio to talk about the offseason and a number of other topics.

7/10/23 Hour 2: Home Run Derby idea; Pat Fitzgerald in trouble at Northwestern

Lon and Derek talk about the Home Run Derby and their idea to incorporate former star sluggers. Later, the guys give their thoughts on the hazing situation at Northwestern.

7/10/23 Hour 1: Piper’s thoughts on Peach Jam; Nic DiFilippo (Mahomet baseball) on Blake Wolters

Derek is back from Peach Jam and he shares his thoughts on Morez Johnson and more. Later, the guys are joined by Mahomet baseball coach Nic DiFiippo to discuss Blake Wolters getting picked by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday night.

07/07/23 Hour 2: Piper checks in from Peach Jam

Derek Piper joins the show live from Peach Jam in South Carolina to share some thoughts on Morez Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, and other Illinois basketball recruiting targets.

07/07/23: Illini football loses out on one RB but may gain another; Jason Heggemeyer (Illinois Ticket Office) discusses ticket promotions and increased fan support

Lon and Kyle discuss Illinois football losing out on 4-star RB Darrion Dupree but potentially landing another running back. Later, Jason Heggemeyer from the Illinois athletic department joins the show to discuss ticketing.

07/06/23 Hour 2: Grange Grove introducing tailgate reservations; Who are the biggest stars to come through Champaign?

Lon and Kyle discuss some of the new changes that have been made in the athletic department when it comes to tailgating and ticketing. Later, the guys reflect on some of the biggest stars to come to Champaign to play against Illinois.

07/06/23 Hour 1: Tyler Underwood talks promotion to assistant coach and Illini offseason; Plans for Cubs and Cardinals at the trade deadline

Illinois basketball assistant coach Tyler Underwood joins the show to discuss being promoted and his thoughts on this year's Illini basketball team. Later, Lon and Kyle discuss what they want to see happen from the Cubs and Cardinals at the trade deadline.

07/05/23 Hour 2: Has Adam Wainwright’s time come to an end?; Ken Rosenthal discusses Cardinals’ trade deadline plans

Lon and Kyle discuss Adam Wainwright heading to the injured list and how disastrous his final season has gone. Later, hear a podcast appearance from MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal as he discusses how he sees the trade deadline playing out for the Cardinals.

07/05/23 Hour 1: Bielema bringing bigger recruiting wins to Illinois football; Which road game would you most want to attend this season?

Lon and Kyle discuss Bret Bielema and the Illinois football coaching staff picking up a pattern of bigger recruiting wins in recent years over proven Power 5 programs. Later, the guys share which road game they would most want to attend this football season.  

6/29/23 Hour 2: Ty Rodgers (Illini MBB) on summer workouts & playing PG; Jenna Giacone (Illini WBB) on her role & Year 2 with Shauna Green

Derek and guest co-host Joey Wagner catch up with Ty Rodgers to discuss summer workouts and his transition to point guard this offseason. Later, the guys are joined by Jenna Giacone, who is the Director of Scouting & Player Development for Illini women's basketball.

6/29/23 Hour 1: Bielema makes another recruiting splash; Illini LB Kenenna Odeluga on Lift for Life & upcoming season

Derek and guest co-host Joey Wagner discuss Bret Bielema's latest addition to the 2024 class. Later, the guys are joined by Illini linebacker Kenenna Odeluga to talk about Lift for Life and the upcoming season.

6/28/23 Hour 2: 247Sports’ Big Ten football predictions; Most memorable games as a fan

Lon and Derek talk about their most memorable games watching as a fan. Later, the guys go through 247Sports' preseason predictions for Big Ten football.

6/28/23 Hour 1: What should the Trade Deadline look like for the Cardinals?

Lon and Derek discuss Ken Rosenthal's recent article on the Cardinals and what they should do at the Trade Deadline.

6/27/23 Hour 2: Ty Rodgers’ transition to PG; Hanging jerseys at Ubben

Lon and Derek discuss what Ty Rodgers' transition to point guard will look like and how they feel about it. Later, the guys jokingly put jerseys up in the rafters at Ubben for players who didn't live up the hype.

6/27/23 Hour 1: Illinois’ interest level in Joe Toussaint; Should any other sports follow College World Series format?

Lon and Derek begin the show discussing whether any other sports could implement a best-of-3 format for the championship like the College World Series. Later, the guys talk about West Virginia transfer Joe Toussaint and Illinois' interest level.

6/26/23 Hour 2: Is it time to jump on the Reds bandwagon?; Bret Bielema audio

Lon and Derek talk some baseball after the Cards-Cubs series in London. Do you believe in the Reds to win the Central? Later, hear from Bret Bielema.

6/26/23 Hour 1: Where would you draft Justin Fields in fantasy football?, Illini basketball still has an open spot

Lon and Derek talk a little fantasy football and where Justin Fields could get picked in drafts this year. Later, the guys discuss whether Illinois basketball will add anyone else to the roster.

6/23/23 Hour 2: Which Illini have won an NBA title?; Piper tells Podz stories

Lon and Derek go through the list of former Illini who have won an NBA title. Later, the guys talk about the NBA Draft coverage and Derek tells a few Brandin Podziemski stories.

6/23/23 Hour 1: Jeremiah Williams decommits from Illinois; Illini football commit Karsen Konkel (Pinckneyville)

Lon and Derek discuss Iowa State transfer Jeremiah Williams decommitting from Illinois. Later, the guys visit with new Illini football commit Karsen Konkel.

6/20/23 Hour 2: Scott Burgess (Prep Hoops) talks in-state high school prospects; What will Ty Rodgers at point guard look like?

Scott Burgess from Prep Hoops joins the show to break down some upcoming in-state high school basketball prospects that Illinois is targeting. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss some more Illini hoops and what lineups could look like with Ty Rodgers at point guard.