
The Drive is your daily Illini sports podcast from ESPN 93.5. Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone cover Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball, Illinois Fighting Illini football, the Chicago Bears, Cardinals, Cubs and the biggest sports stories in Champaign-Urbana with interviews, analysis, and a lot of laughs. New episodes every weekday. 🎙️
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Episodes

Feb 19, 2024
Feb 19, 2024
54 min
Lon and Derek discuss some more Illini hoops including Justin Harmon's big impact against Maryland. Hear from Brad Underwood following his first win at Maryland as Illinois head coach. Later, the guys talk about whether Coleman Hawkins has become the Big Ten's newest villian.

Feb 19, 2024
Feb 19, 2024
54 min
Lon and Derek break down the Illini's 85-80 victory over Maryland after years of struggles against the Terps. Later, the guys share their thoughts on this season's Big Ten Coach of the Year race and if Brad Underwood has a chance to win it.

Feb 15, 2024
Feb 15, 2024
1hr 45 sec
Derek and Kyle share some thoughts on some recent college basketball results including some surprising blowouts around the country. Later, the guys discuss some of MLB's top remaining free agents and where they could land.

Feb 15, 2024
Feb 15, 2024
53 min
Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Athletic's MLB Power Rankings heading into Spring Training. Later, Jeff Jones from the Belleville News-Democrat joins the show live from the Cardinals complex to share some updates from the start of Cardinals camp.

Feb 14, 2024
Feb 14, 2024
49 min
Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to recap the Illini's dominant win over Michigan, what it's like to have such a lopsided record against one program, and the team's emphasis on defense. Later, the guys discuss Ohio State firing head coach Chris Holtmann and who could be next in Columbus.

Feb 14, 2024
Feb 14, 2024
54 min
Lon and Derek break down the Illini's blowout victory over Michigan and Brad Underwood's continued dominance over Juwan Howard. Later, the guys discuss Coleman Hawkins's impressive consistency and whether or not he's done enough to be highly drafted in the NBA Draft.

Feb 13, 2024
Feb 13, 2024
53 min
Lon and Derek discuss the Illini's relatively flat home performance this season and the need to take care of Michigan in dominant fashion. Later, hear from Brad Underwood as he shares his thoughts following his team's late game failures against MSU and the game ahead vs the Wolverines.

Feb 13, 2024
Feb 13, 2024
54 min
Lon and Derek discuss what the primary causes of the Illini's defensive struggles are and what some adjustments could be to improve going forward. Later, the guys share some thoughts on MLB free agency and if the Cubs or Cardinals will still be involved in the late stages.

Feb 12, 2024
Feb 12, 2024
53 min
Derek and Kyle discuss the Illini's lackluster NCAA Tournament resume and the disappointment of squandering a Quad 1 opportunity against Michigan State. Later, the guys try to diagnose the Illini's defensive struggles and whether or not they can be fixed.

Feb 12, 2024
Feb 12, 2024
54 min
Derek and Kyle share their thoughts on the Super Bowl and where Patrick Mahomes's greatness at the quarterback position stacks up after leading the Chiefs to their third ring. Later, the guys discuss the Illini's late game collapse in East Lansing.

Feb 8, 2024
Feb 8, 2024
54 min
Former Illinois defensive back Tailon Leitzsey joins the show to share some stories about being in a loaded DB room filled with future NFL players and discuss some of his work with his foundation along with local company Two Men and a Truck. Later, new Illinois TE transfer Cole Rusk talks about committing to Illinois and the year ahead.

Feb 8, 2024
Feb 8, 2024
54 min
Lon and Kyle share some thoughts on Illinois' matchup with Michigan State and react to Wisconsin taking a stunning loss to Michigan. Later, Stephen Brooks from 247 Sports' Spartan Tailgate site joins the show to share some insight on Michigan State.

Feb 7, 2024
Feb 7, 2024
53 min
Illinois forward Luke Goode joins the show for his weekly interview to recap the team's thrilling win against Nebraska, his cold shooting stretch and his week off before the Illini's next game. Later, hear from Bret Bielema as he discusses his team's new signee and some recent changes to his staff.

Feb 7, 2024
Feb 7, 2024
53 min
Lon and Kyle discuss whether Illinois will ever compete in football in the Big Ten again and some ideas for a conference division that gives them a fighting chance. Later, Andy Olson from WCIA 3 joins the show to share some thoughts on the Illini and area high school basketball.

Feb 6, 2024
Feb 6, 2024
53 min
NBA expert and former Drive intern Matt Silich joins the show to share insight into the NBA Trade Deadline, the Bulls' future, and Ayo Dosunmu's continued development. Later, Lon and Kyle give some initial thoughts on the Super Bowl matchup.

Feb 6, 2024
Feb 6, 2024
54 min
Lon and Kyle discuss some trending sports stories such as Rick Pitino's college basketball proposal and the Blackhawks-Blues winter classic gam. Later, the guys discuss which Big Ten basketball coaches are most on the hot seat.

Feb 5, 2024
Feb 5, 2024
53 min
Lon and Kyle discuss where Illinois stands and what their upcoming schedule holds. Hear from Ty Rodgers, Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins and Brad Underwood following the Illini's overtime victory over Nebraska.

Feb 5, 2024
Feb 5, 2024
54 min
Lon and Kyle break down the Illini's thrilling OT escape of Nebraska 87-84 and how the Illini were able to survive a red hot Husker team. Later, the guys discuss a variety of Illini hoops topics including the team's relative struggles at home this year and their defensive strategy on opposing big men.

Feb 2, 2024
Feb 2, 2024
56 min
Lon, Kyle, and Hans discuss the places they most want to travel to and give an update on the Big Ten's latest Bracketology standing. Later, Hans Dee leads his award-winning segment "Who Ya Got?" with predictions for the weekend's slate of college hoops.

Feb 2, 2024
Feb 2, 2024
53 min
Lon and Kyle discuss Nebraska's comeback win over Wisconsin and its effect on the Big Ten title race. Later, hear from new Illinois football transfers Cole Rusk and Kevin Wigenton in their introductory media sessions.
