The Drive on ESPN 93.5

11/26/25 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas previews IHSA State Championships; Local Celebrity votes; Thanksgiving Draft Results; Thanksgiving Toasts

Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 previews the IHSA State Championship games! Maroa-Forsyth, Tolono-Unity, and Rochester are all playing on Friday. 

Local celebrities voted in our Thanksgiving Side Dish draft, and one vote really hurt Kurtis' feelings. It's a familiar name...

And who WON our draft? The results are crazy!

Plus, our Thanksgiving Toasts!

11/26/25 Hour 1: Illinois vs Northwestern Preview & Weather Update; Bielema Presser; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Chris Kwiezinski from Fox32; Thanksgiving Sides Draft

The Illini wrap up their regular season on Saturday night at Gies Memorial Stadium against the Northwestern Wildcats. Snow is in the forecast - who does that benefit?

We talk with Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports takes us around the Big Ten football slate. Ravi previews Ohio State vs Michigan, Washington vs Oregon, and much more.

Chris Kwicinski from Fox32 covers Northwestern athletics and the Chicago Bears. He joins us to talk about both.

11/25/25 Hour 2: Bret Bielema talks Illini Seniors; Should Luke Altmyer play in a bowl game?; Our Tuesday Draft - Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

Bret Bielema met with the media and got emotional while talking about his group of Seniors on the Illini roster. What will you think of when you look back on the 2025 season?

Also, should Luke Altmyer play in a bowl game? Kurtis and Evan say "No."

And it's our Tuesday Draft! This week we're drafting "Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes." Vote for who won @thedrive935 on Instagram, Twitter, and by texting 217-359-2255!

11/25/25 Hour 1: Illini vs UTRGV Recap; Underwood calls Illinois' performance "Doo Doo"; The Great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illinois Men's basketball beat UT Rio Grande Valley 87-73 last night. Why did Brad Underwood call the performance "Doo Doo?" 

Our guy The Great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins us to break down the game and preview Friday's match-up with UCONN at Madison Square Garden.

Plus Kurtis has a check of the other Illini headlines and throws some serious Curveballs!

11/24/25 Hour 2: Illini Men's Basketball vs UT Rio Grande Valley; Bears pull over another stunner and beat the Steelers; Our next Tuesday Draft; Kurtis' Curveballs

The Illini Men's basketball team took care of business on Saturday against Long Island University. Brad Underwood was candid in his post-game presser about the performances of Kylan Boswell and a returning Brandon Lee. Plus, Underwood's comments about what he expects out of Andrej Stojackovic and we preview tonight's game against UT Rio Grande Valley.

Also, Da Bears did it again! Chicago now sits at 8-3 after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Are they really no longer "the same ol' Bears?"

Kurtis announces our next Tuesday draft and throws CURVEBALLS right at Evan.

11/24/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! The All-American is in-studio and fired up after the Illini's loss to Wisconsin.

J Leman is back in-studio to break down what went wrong for the Illini against Wisconsin. J talks Bielema, Barry Lunney, Bart Miller, Aaron Henry, and plenty more!

Plus Evan puts the current state of Illini football in a historical perspective and J brings out the "Rage Side" of Kurtis. 

We cover it all this hour of The Drive!

11/21/25 Hour 2: Eastern Illinois' play-by-play man Mike Bradd talks Panthers vs Alabama; Tolono Rockets Head Coach Tony Reetz; Illini score predictions & Friday Toasts

The EIU Panthers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa tomorrow. We talk with longtime EIU play-by-play man Mike Bradd about the game, the state of EIU's program, and plenty more.

It's a big weekend in the IHSA Playoffs, including Tolono-Unity vs St. Joe-Ogden. We talk with Tolono head coach Tony Reetz about the game, the community, and the opportunity coach a state championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

Plus we give our score predictions for Illini basketball against Long Island University and Illini football against Wisconsin. 

AND FRIDAY TOASTS!

11/21/25 Hour 1: Joey Wagner from Illini Inquirer talks Illini vs Wisconsin, Barry Lunney's future, Bears vs Packers, and more; Lucas Morillo signs with Illini Hoops

It's a busy Friday on The Drive!

Joey Wagner from Illini Inquirer joins us this hour to talk Illini vs Wisconsin, Barry Lunney's future, Bears vs Packers, and much more!

Plus we get a check of today's Illini Headlines and Kurtis throws some Curveballs!

11/20/25 Hour 2: David Mirkovic's awesome tattoo; Breaking News for The Bears; Etched in Stone Bets for this week;

Kurtis noticed David Mirkovic has an "awesome tattoo" on his right leg. Did you catch it last night during the Illini vs Crimson Tide game? 

Da Bears will have a couple of key defensive pieces back as soon as Sunday against the Steelers. Who's in and who's out?

We need some money! Evan has those Etched in Stone bets for this week and he's feeling extra generous ahead of Thanksgiving.

Plus, wanna feel old? Evan has a few stats that just might do the trick.

11/20/25 Hour 1: Our reactions to the Illini's loss to Alabama; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Mark Stewart of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks Illini vs Badgers Football

The Fighting Illini men's basketball lost against Alabama at the United Center in Chicago. We answer your texts and give our reactions to the 90-86 loss. 

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins us to talk Big Ten Football for this weekend and why USC could spoil Oregon's playoff hopes.

Mark Stewart covers Wisconsin Badgers football for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He gives us the Badgers perspective ahead of Saturday's showdown with Bret Bielema and the Illini at Camp Randall.

11/19/25 Hour 2: Carson Gourdie last-minute details before Illini vs Crimson Tide; Illini Football vs Badgers; Bielema in Wisconsin; Denzel Movie Draft Winner; Final Score Predictions for tonight

Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois & WICS joins us this hour to preview Illinois vs Alabama, give his insight, last-minute injury updates from Brad Underwood, and more. Plus, we talk Illini Football ahead of Saturday's showdown at Camp Randall.

Who won our Denzel Movie Draft? It wasn't as close as some people thought!

We give our final score predictions for tonight's Illinois vs Alabama game. Lets go!

11/19/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Crimson Tide in Chicago; Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs, ALAH vs Maroa, Tolono-Unity vs St. Joe; Kurtis' Curveballs; Denzel Movie Draft Update

We preview tonight's #8 Fighting Illini men's basketball game against #11 Alabama Crimson Tide at the United Center in Chicago! Who's in and who's out? 

We'll talk with Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 about tonight's game, plus 2 area schools are guaranteed to play for a State Championship. We'll preview Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond vs Maroa-Forsyth and Tolono-Unity vs St. Joe-Ogden.

Kurtis throws some serious Curveballs at Evan and more on our Denzel Movie Draft.

11/18/25 Hour 2: Illini Football prepares for Wisconsin; Bielema on the Coaching Carousel; Our Tuesday Draft - Denzel Washington movies!

Illini Football head coach Bret Bielema met with the media and talks about the upcoming trip to his former stomping grounds in Wisconsin. Plus, Bielema expects a very busy coaching carousel this offseason for college football. And he gives us some insight into the "good problems" that Illinois athletics have right now.

It's Tuesday and that means DRAFT DAY! This week's subject: Denzel Washington Movies! Who wins? Vote on our Instagram & Twitter pages @thedrive935 or text your vote to 217-359-2255!

11/18/25 Hour 1: Barry Lunney's future; Illini men's basketball injury report update & game preview; A LOUD Field Trip Day for Illini Women's Basketball; Why Don't Teams Practice at State Farm Center

Bret Bielema addressed the media and discussed OC Barry Lunney's potential as a head coaching candidate. We share your reactions.

Brad Underwood also met with the media and gave an injury report update before tomorrow night's game against Alabama at the United Center. Who's in and who's out? 

It was Field Trip Day at State Farm Center for Illini Women's Basketball and it was LOUD! How crazy did the kids get when the Illini scored "67?" It was over 110 decibels!

And an interesting conversation takes off after a texter wants to know "Why don't the Illini practice at State Farm Center?"

11/17/25 Hour 2: David Mirkovic's historic night for the Illini; Bears Walk-Off Win and Step Into First Place; Our next draft; Kurtis' Curveballs

David Mirkovic had an all-time performance for the Illini against Colgate on Friday night, finishing with 27 points and 21 rebounds; the first 20-20 game for an Illini in 53 years! We recap the game and look ahead to Wednesday's showdown with Alabama at the United Center in Chicago.

Speaking of Chicago...Da Bears are in first place! How did the Bears pull off another stunning win? Are they for real and can they make noise in the playoffs? We go through the remaining schedule.

It's Evan's turn to choose our Tuesday Draft category. What will he pick?

And Kurtis throws them Curveballs!

11/17/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! J talks Illini beating Maryland; The D's performance; Luke Altmyer & Hudson Clement's connection; James Franklin's new coaching gig; J answers your texts

The All-American J Leman is back in the studio after the Illini cruised past Maryland 24-6. J talks about the great performance by the Illini defense,  Luke Altmyer's connection with Hudson Clement, the future of the O-Line, and answers your texts. 

11/14/25 Hour 2: An All-Illini Friday continues! Robert Rosenthal from Illini Board on why Barry Lunney could stay in Champaign; Kurtis' Curveballs; Evan with a surprise call-in; Friday Toasts!

Robert Rosenthal from Illini Board joins us to talk about a big weekend of Illinois sports and why he thinks OC Barry Lunney will stay in Champaign! Plus, how did Robert save Evan on Tuesday night at the Illinois vs Texas Tech game?

Kurtis checks the Illini headlines, throws out some wild curveballs, and we get a surprise call-in from Evan.

We give your score predictions and Friday Toasts! I-L-L!

11/14/25 Hour 1: An All-Illini Friday with Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer, Carson Gourdie of WICS, and Cooper O'Kelly of Champaign Room!

It's a HUGE All-Illini Friday with an All-Star lineup. "The Great" Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer talks Illini basketball, Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV has insight into why Mike Locksley is possibly out as Maryland's head coach if they to the Illini, and Cooper O'Kelly from Champaign Room & Big Ten+ joins us in-studio to talk Illini athletics.

Lets goooo!

11/13/25 Hour 2: Brad Underwood Presser ahead of the Colgate game; Etched in Stone Picks; Evan's predictions for both Illini football & basketball games

Coach Brad Underwood met with the media today ahead of Friday night's game against Colgate. Get the latest injury news and our reactions.

We need some money! Evan gives us this week's Etched in Stone picks and is ready to go 5-0. But will he? 

And what Evan's final predictions for this weekend's slate of Illinois football & basketball?

11/13/25 Hour 1: Sam Jane from The Athletic talks Illini vs Maryland; Ravi Lulla from HurrDat talks Big Ten Football; Illini Headlines; Kurtis' Curveballs

Sam Jane works for The Athletic, previously with the Baltimore Sun & Washington Post, and covers Maryland Football. He joins us to chat about Saturday's game at Gies Memorial Stadium and plenty more!

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports takes us around the Big Ten football schedule. Can Iowa win at USC? Is this the year Northwestern wins their Wrigley Field game?

Kurtis gives us a check of today's Illini Headlines and throws some Curveballs!