The Drive on ESPN 93.5

03/23/26 Hour 1: Illini men are headed to the Sweet 16! We preview with Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports; Preview Illini women vs Vanderbilt

The Illini men are headed to the Sweet 16 after an impressive victory over VCU. Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to break down what’s clicking for Illinois and what lies ahead against #2 Houston.

The focus then shifts to the Illini women as they prepare for their matchup against Vanderbilt in the 2nd round. We preview the key storylines, matchups, and what Illinois needs to do to advance.

03/20/26 Hour 2: Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini talks Illinois' win over Penn & previews the VCU game; Would you rather Illini win a title & be mediocre for 5 years or go to the Elite 8 every year?

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins us t0 break down Illinois’ win over Penn and looking ahead to their matchup with VCU. He shares key insights on what carried the Illini in the opening round and what challenges await in the next game. The conversation also dives into expectations for Illinois moving forward in the tournament.

Plus, we debate a fun hypothetical: would you rather the Illini win one national title and be mediocre for five years, or make the Elite Eight every season?

Evan has your tourney bets with Etched in Stone and our Friday Toasts!

03/20/26 Hour 1: Recap of Illinois' dominant win over Penn; Dr. Daniel Thompson previews Illini women's game vs Colorado

We opened Hour 1 by recapping Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball’s dominant NCAA Tournament win over the Penn Quakers men's basketball. It was a historic night for David Mirkovic! The Illini controlled the game from start to finish, showcasing their depth and offensive firepower. 

Then, Dr. Daniel Thompson joined the show to preview the upcoming matchup for Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball. He broke down what to expect as they prepare to face the Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball.

03/19/26 Hour 2: Illinois vs Penn preview part 2 with WCIA3 Sports Director Glenn Kinley, Score predictions, and Evan's very strange contest

Hour 2 continues the Illinois vs. Penn preview with great insight from WCIA3 Sports Director Glenn Kinley joining the show. The conversation dives deeper into matchups and what the Illini need to do to advance. The guys also give their final score predictions for the game.

Plus, Evan introduces a very strange contest for listeners to win a brand new Illini crewneck sweatshirt.

 

 

 

03/19/26 Hour 1: Preview Illinois vs Penn with Carson Gourdie of WICS-TV & Fox Illinois and Valerie Guevarra & Emilie Chi from The Daily Pennsylvanian

The NCAA Tournament is here!

We preview Illinois vs. Penn in the NCAA Tournament with insight from Carson Gourdie of WICS-TV and Fox Illinois. Valerie Guevarra and Emilie Chi from The Daily Pennsylvanian join the show to provide the Penn perspective. The discussion breaks down key matchups, strengths, and potential X-factors on both sides. It’s a well-rounded look at what to expect as the Illini and Quakers get set to clash.

03/18/26 Hour 2: Isaac Ambrose from The Champaign Room helps us break down the NCAA Bracket & Illini odds; Our Final Four picks; Etched in Stone

Isaac Ambrose joins the show to break down the NCAA Tournament bracket and assess the odds for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball. The conversation dives into key matchups, potential upset alerts, and how the Illini stack up against the field.

The guys also reveal their Final Four picks and debate which teams have the best path to a title run.

Plus, another edition of “Etched in Stone” locks in the day’s best bets.

01/18/26 Hour 1: Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 Sports talks what Illini need to do to make a postseason run; Keaton Wagler is a Consensus All-American

Tristan Thomas from WCIA3 Sports joins the show to break down what the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball must do to make a deep postseason run. He highlights the importance of consistency on both ends of the floor and improved shot selection in key moments. The conversation also touches on leadership and the need for veteran players to step up in high-pressure situations.

Plus, Keaton Wagler earns recognition as a Consensus All-American, capping off an outstanding season.

03/17/26 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer talks Illinois & NCAA Tournament, Five Tournament Guarantees From Evan Stone

"The Great" Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins the show to break down Illinois basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook. He shares insight on matchups, expectations, and what the Illini need to make a deep run. What will help or hinder the Illini? The conversation covers both strengths and potential concerns heading into March Madness.

Plus, Evan Stone delivers his Five Tournament Guarantees with bold predictions for the bracket. We get an official report "From the Office of Evan Stone."

03/17/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler is an All-American, Rapheal Davis talks NCAA Tournament, Big Ten teams & gives a STRONG opinion on the Illini basketball team

Rapheal Davis joins the show to break down the NCAA Tournament and evaluate how Big Ten teams stack up nationally. He offers insight into matchups, strengths, and potential pitfalls for the conference.

Davis also gives praise to AP Second Team All-American Keaton Wagler and dives deep into Illinois, analyzing their postseason outlook. He doesn’t hold back, delivering a strong and candid opinion on what the Illini are—and aren’t—capable of in March. Who did Rapheal call "soft" and what will carry Illinois on a deep run?

03/16/26 Hour 2: Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports talks Illini hoops; What carries Illini men's team - scoring or defense? Illini Women are the youngest in the tournament

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to talk all things Illini basketball as both teams prepare for the NCAA Tournament.

We break down the outlook for the Illinois men and what they need to make a deep run. Will this team be carried more by its scoring ability or by its defense?

Plus, we discuss the Illinois women entering the tournament as the youngest team in the field and what that could mean for their run. 

03/16/26 Hour 1: All Tournament Talk for Illini men's & women's at-large bids, Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports discusses which tournament teams are on Upset Alert

The brackets are set and the Illini are dancing. The Illinois men’s team earns a 3-seed and will face Penn in the first round, while the Illinois women’s team lands a 7-seed and takes on Colorado. We break down both matchups and what the paths could look like for each team in the tournament.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports also joins us to discuss the teams across the bracket that could be on upset alert. 🏀

Plus a full slate of Illini Headlines!

 

 

 

03/13/26 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas from WCIA3 Sports joins us for live reactions to Illinois' 91-88 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament

Tristan Thomas from WCIA 3 Sports joins us for live reactions after Illinois falls to Wisconsin 91–88 in the Big Ten Tournament. We break down the key moments that swung the game and what went wrong for the Illini down the stretch. Tristan shares his perspective from courtside and what the loss means heading into the NCAA Tournament. Plus, our biggest takeaways from a wild finish in Chicago. 🏀

03/13/26 Hour 1: Our Immediate Live Reactions of Illinois' 91-88 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament

We react live to Illinois vs Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament and break down everything that happened on the court. From the biggest moments to the turning points that decided the game, we give our immediate takeaways. Plus, what the result means for Illinois moving forward in the postseason. 🏀

03/12/26 Hour 2: A preview of Illinois vs Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament; Bears Mock Draft; Etched in Stone

We preview Illinois vs Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament and what the Illini need to do to advance. The guys break down the key matchups, including how Illinois can attack Wisconsin’s defense.

Later, they dive into a Chicago Bears Mock Draft and discuss potential targets at DE & DT.

The hour wraps up with another edition of Etched in Stone.

03/12/26 Hour 1: Illini NFL Pro Day Coverage; Brad Sturdy from Illini Guys talks upsetting Brad Underwood and Illinois basketball's postseason prospects

Our coverage from the Illini NFL Pro Day, highlighting which Illinois players impressed scouts ahead of the upcoming draft. The show broke down key performances and what they could mean for players hoping to boost their draft stock.

Brad Sturdy from Illini Guys joined the us to talk about upsetting Brad Underwood and the current direction of Illinois basketball. The conversation also turned to the Illini’s postseason outlook and what needs to happen for the team to make a deep run.

03/11/26 Hour 2: Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini talks Illinois & Big Ten Tournament and Bret Bielema's new coaching staff; Etched in Stone; Tuesday Draft Winner; Bam Adebayo's 83 vs Kobe Bryant's 81

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins the show to talk Illinois basketball and preview the Big Ten Tournament. He also shares his thoughts on Bret Bielema’s updated coaching staff and what it could mean for Illini football.

Later, the guys dive into another edition of Etched in Stone with Evan's bets for tonight. Plus they reveal the winner of the Tuesday Draft.

And they wrap up by debating Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance versus Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game. Evan explains why Bam's game was NOT that impressive.

03/11/26 Hour 1: Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports on Keaton Wagler's season, David Mirkovic's post game, Big Ten Tournament, and the latest on Maxx Crosby & The Chicago Bears

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to break down Keaton Wagler’s impressive season and his latest accolades as an All-American. We also discuss David Mirkovic’s post game play and the team’s mindset heading into the Big Ten Tournament. Later, the conversation shifts to the NFL and the latest rumors involving Maxx Crosby. They also talk about what the potential move could mean for the Chicago Bears.

03/10/26 Hour 2: "The Great" Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer; Tuesday Draft: Best Gardens

The Great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer is back with us! We talk about the end of the Illini regular season, preview the Big Ten Tournament, and even a little banter about Kyle's beloved Miami Dolphins. Plus, who is the one team he wouldn't want to run into in the tournament?

It's Tuesday and it's Spring Time! So we're drafting our Best Gardens. What we're planting might surprise you. Vote for who wins on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

03/10/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler wins Freshman of the Year; Doug Bucshon from Orange & Blue News talks Illini end of season & Big Ten Tournament; more NFL Free Agency news

Keaton Wagler was named Freshman of the Year, highlighting a strong debut season. How good is his year compared to the last 5 FOTY winners? 

Doug Bucshon of Orange & Blue News joined the show to break down the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball season and what to expect in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. The conversation focused on how Illinois can position itself for a postseason run and the key factors that will determine success.

The hour also featured the latest updates and major moves from around the NFL as teams continue making deals during NFL Free Agency.

03-09-26 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla talks NCAA Tournament and bad QB Deals

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports discusses why the NCAA Tournament selection committee has screwed up. Who should get automatic bids? Also, NFL QB contracts are out of control.