The Drive on ESPN 93.5
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The Drive on ESPN 93.5
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...
Recent Episodes
323 episodes
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 Biele...
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-Ameri...
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 eve...
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?
Dou...
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 contr...
03-09-26 Hour 1: Illini beat Maryland; NFL Free Agency BIG MOVES
The Illini head home from College Park with a tough win over Maryland, on to the Big Ten Tournament. Free Agency kicks off with TONS of money flying a...
03/06/26 Hour 2: Glenn Kinley from WCIA-3 talks Shauna Green's impact on Illini basketball, Big Ten Tournament, and local high school hoops; Etched in Stone, Friday Toasts
WCIA 3's Sports Director Glenn Kinley joins the show to discuss the impact that Shauna Green has had on Illini women’s basketball. He also shared insi...
03/06/26 Hour 1: Tribute to listener Anonymous Randy, Dr. Daniel Thomspon calls in from the Women's Big Ten Tournament, Carson Gourdie talks all things Illini
We start the show with a tribute to longtime listener Anonymous Randy.
Then, Dr. Daniel Thompson called in from the Big Ten Women’s Basketball T...
03/05/26 Hour 2: What's more important for Illini Basketball in the post season: 3-point percentage or limiting turnovers?, Evan & Coop learn about Snipe Hunts, Etched in Stone
The guys debated what will matter more for Illinois basketball in the postseason: knocking down three-pointers or limiting costly turnovers. The conve...
03/05/26 Hour 1: Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports talks Bears trading DJ Moore to Bills, Bret Bielema & Illini Football Coaches presser, and Illini Women in the Big Ten Tournament
It was a BUSY news day. Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joined the show to discuss the Chicago Bears trading wide receiver DJ Moore to...
03/04/26 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer breaks down Illinois cruising past Oregon & previews the Maryland game, Etched in Stone, and Best Jersey Draft Winner
Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer breaks down how Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball cruised past Oregon Ducks and what clicked for Andrej Stojak...
03/04/26 Hour 1: Brad Sturdy from Illini Guys talks Illinois' dominant win over Oregon & football landing CB Justin Johnson, Illini Headlines, Lou Holtz passes away
Brad Sturdy from Illini Guys breaks down Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball’s dominant win over the Oregon Ducks and what it means moving forwa...
03/03/26 Hour 2: Chris Kwiecinski of Fox32 Chicago talks Drew Dalman retiring & impact on Bears, Tuesday Draft - Best Sports Jerseys, Illinois vs Oregon score predictions
Chris Kwiecinski of Fox 32 Chicago joins the show to break down Drew Dalman’s retirement and what it means for the Chicago Bears moving forward. The c...
03/03/26 Hour 1: Tristan Thomas previews Illini vs Oregon, Dr. Daniel Thompson talks Illini Women's Basketball & Big Ten Tournament, Drew Dalman tells Chicago Bears he's retiring
Tristan Thomas previews Senior Night as the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball get set to host the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Center.
Dr....
03/02/26 HOUR 2: "From The Office of Evan Stone - getting the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl," Cardinals offer perks for fans this year
“From the Office of Evan Stone” lays out a blueprint for getting the Chicago Bears back to the Super Bowl and what it will take to make that dream a r...
03/02/26 HOUR 1: Doug Bucshon from Orange and Blue News talks Illini's loss to Michigan, Illini Headlines
Doug Bucshon from Orange and Blue News joins the show to break down Illinois’ loss to Michigan Wolverines and what went wrong down the stretch. He sha...
02/27/26 Hour 2: Rob Connolly of Finlete Sports talks Cardinals & Investments, Isaac Ambrose on Illini vs Wolverines, Score Predictions
Rob Connolly of Finlete Sports joins the show to talk Cardinals baseball and explains how you can invest in a player's future MLB earnings. It's a fas...
02/27/26 Hour 1: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer Previews Illinois vs Michigan and his "Rivalry" with Rapheal Davis, Illini Headlines
Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer previews Illinois vs. Michigan Wolverines and breaks down the keys for the Illini to get a big rivalry win. He also sh...
02/26/26 Hour 2: Rapheal Davis vs Illini Fans and the Illinois vs Michigan Rivalry, Orange Krush President Kale Rauman, Draft Day - Best "M" Things
Rapheal Davis from Big Ten Network calls the show and addresses his recent Twitter spat with Illinois fans. Why did Rapheal take exception with a stor...
02/26/26 Hour 1: Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports talks Illini at the NFL Combine, Champaign Central Head Football Coach Matt Leskis talks IHSA Rule Changes, Illini Headlines
Brian Teague of Chicago State of Mind Sports calls in with an update on which Illinois players are making the biggest impressions at the NFL Combine a...
02/25/26 Hour 2: Carson Bounds of Orange & Blue News on Illinois vs Michigan, Cardinals early season rankings, Illini at NFL Combine, and Etched in Stone
Carson Bounds from Orange and Blue News joins the show to preview the huge game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan Wolverines on Fr...
02/25/26 Hour 1: Dave Wischnowsky talks Illini loss to UCLA & previews Illinois vs Michigan, Illini Headlines, and Kurtis' Curveballs
Dave Wischnowsky breaks down what went wrong in Illinois’ loss to the UCLA Bruins and what the team must clean up moving forward. He also previews a b...
02/24/26 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas from WCIA3 talks Illini vs Bruins & IHSA Wrestling State Tournament, Kurtis takes over Etched in Stone, Cooper O'Kelly from The Champaign Room
Tristan Thomas from WCIA breaks down Illinois vs UCLA Bruins men's basketball and shares the highlights from the IHSA Wrestling State Finals. He highl...
02/24/26 Hour 1: Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois & WICS talks Illini's loss to UCLA, Illini Headlines, Kurtis' Beer-related Curveballs
Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois and WICS breaks down what went wrong in Illinois’ loss to UCLA Bruins men's basketball, including late-game execution...
02/20/26 Hour 2: Tim Sinclair talks his career & Illini history, Bob McCoppin of the Chicago Tribune talks Bears moving to Indiana, Illini vs Bruins score predictions, and Etched in Stone
PA announcer Tim Sinclair joins the show to reflect on his broadcasting career and share some of his favorite moments in Illini history.
Bob McC...
02/20/26 Hour 1: Illinois vs UCLA Preview, Aaron Heisen of SoCal News Group & Fox Sports talks Mick Cronin's apology, Illini Headlines
Aaron Heisen of SoCal News Group and Fox Sports joins the show to preview the matchup and break down what to expect from both sides. He also discusses...
02/19/26 Hour 2: Brad Evans breaks down Illinois' path to a National Title, Etched in Stone
Bracket expert Brad Evans from The Athletic breaks down Illinois’ path to a potential National Championship and what the Illini need to do to make a d...
02/19/26 Hour 1: Illinois dominates USC with a record setting performance, Chris Kwiecinski on the Bears potential move to Indiana
Illinois basketball delivered a dominant, record-setting performance in a blowout win over USC, showcasing one of its most impressive outings of the s...
02/18/26 Hour 2: WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas discusses Illinois vs USC, IHSA basketball headlines, and new IHSA Football rule changes, Kurtis covers Etched in Stone, Oscars Tuesday Draft Winner
WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas breaks down the matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the USC Trojans, along with the biggest Illinois High School...
02/18/26 Hour 1: Brian Teague of Chicago State of Mind Sports previews Illinois vs USC, Illini Headlines
Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports previews the matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the USC Trojans. He breaks down key story...
02/17/26 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer previews Illinois vs USC, Tuesday Draft - Best Movies to Win Best Picture at the Oscars, Etched in Stone
Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer previews Illinois vs. USC and breaks down the biggest matchups to watch. We dive into what the Illini must do to contr...
02/17/26 Hour 1: Carson Gourdie from WICS & Fox Illinois talks Illini vs Trojans, Adam Bradford from Trojans Wire, and Jordan Thomas is the new D-Line Coach
Carson Gourdie from WICS and Fox Illinois breaks down the Illini matchup with the Trojans and what to expect on game day. Adam Bradford of Trojans Wir...
02/16/26 Hour 2: Another award for Keaton Wagler, Sarah Warren's Olympic performance, Etched in Stone, Tuesday Draft Announcement
Another award rolls in for Keaton Wagler, as his standout season continues to earn well-deserved recognition. What did he win now?
We also highl...
02/16/26 Hour 1: Doug Bucshon of Orange and Blue News talks Illinois beating Indiana & Tyrone Wheatley joining Bret Bielema's staff, Today's Illini Headlines, Kurtis' Curveballs from The Olympics
Doug Bucshon of Orange and Blue News joins the show to break down Illinois’ win over Indiana Hoosiers and what it means moving forward. Doug also give...
02/13/26 Hour 2: Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini talks Illinois vs Indiana, Samuel Akem with a must-listen about Bobby Hauck's defense, Friday Toasts
Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini joins the show to break down Illinois vs. Indiana and what’s at stake in the Big Ten race.
Samuel Akem is an A...
02/13/26 Hour 1: Ronnie Bradford & Roger Cooper join Bret Bielema's defensive staff; Nick Rodecap talks Illinois vs Indiana basketball
Ronnie Bradford and Roger Cooper are former Defensive Coordinators for Bobby Hauck and they're the latest additions to Bret Bielema’s staff. Bielema c...
02/12/26 Hour 2: More from Bobby Hauck's press conference, Etched in Stone, and we get to know Cooper O'Kelly from The Champaign Room.
More highlights rolled in from Bobby Hauck’s press conference, where he mixed serious football talk with a few personality-filled moments.
We al...
02/12/26 Hour 1: Updates From Bobby Hauck Introductory Press Conference, Kaden Feagan moves from RB to TE, Carson Gourdie talks Illini basketball
Bobby Hauck’s introductory press conference highlighted his vision for Illinois’ defense and the culture he wants to build moving forward. Cooper O’Ke...
02/11/26 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports talks remaining Big Ten Basketball schedule, Draft Results - Best Illini Players Post-2000
Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports joins the show to break down the remaining Big Ten basketball schedule and which teams have the clearest path to a confer...
02/11/26 Hour 1: Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune discusses Illinois' 92-90 loss to Wisconsin
Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune joins the show to break down Illinois’ tough 92–90 loss to Wisconsin. The narrow defeat had head coach Brad Unde...