The Drive on ESPN 93.5

The Cardinals open a pivotal weekend series against the Atlanta Braves, and we break down the pitching matchups, key storylines, and what St. Louis needs to do to keep building momentum in the National League race. We also discuss top prospect JJ Wetherholt officially signing his first professional contract, what the deal means for the former first-round pick, and why Cardinals fans should be exci...

Former Illinois star Keaton Wagler made his long-awaited NBA Summer League debut with the Los Angeles Clippers, and we break down what stood out despite a challenging first game. We discuss Wagler's performance, what it means moving forward, and why Illini fans shouldn't overreact after one Summer League appearance. Later, Brian Ames joins the show to preview the annual Illini ReBounders Golf Outi...

Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer joins the show to break down the latest from Illinois basketball summer workouts, what the newly announced Illinois vs. UConn matchup on December 4th at the United Center means for the Illini, and which freshmen are already generating buzz heading into the season. We dive into where Brad Underwood’s roster stands this summer, what early takeaways matter most from offs...

Illinois basketball's marquee non-conference matchup with UCONN is locked in for December 4th at the United Center in Chicago. We break down what the high-profile showdown means for Brad Underwood’s team, how it strengthens Illinois’ schedule, and why it could be one of the most anticipated games of the season. Plus, we preview the Cardinals vs. Brewers matchup, recap the Cubs’ loss to the Orioles...

Evan Stone and Pierce the Fierce talk about Cubs Cardinals 4th of July series and World cup!

Carson and Evan break down the Illini football schedule. How many wins are on the schedule? We find out Quinn doesn't like popcorn, but she does like crime.

Carson Gourdie is IN STUDIO to kick off the show as we talk about the HOT Cubs and surprising White Sox start. Jaylen Brown traded FOR WHAT???? And the USMNT beats Bosnia to move on to the Round of 16. What is a red card anyways?

Hour 2 Evan and Pierce talk about World cup matches as well as NBA offseason and the upcoming NFL season!

Hour 1 Evan and Pierce talk about game one between Cardinals and Braves, as well as the match-up for USA Mens soccer, and Pierce the Fierce gets a chance at redemption!

Hour 2 Kicks off with Evan and Quinn discussing Cardinals/Cubs and then jumping into the Tuesday Draft! Greatest Iconic Games of all time!

The Drive looks ahead to one of the biggest baseball weekends of the summer with an early breakdown of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Fourth of July showdown at Wrigley Field. Kurtis and Evan discuss the pitching matchups, division implications, and why the rivalry series could help shape the National League race heading into the All-Star break. Later, the guys hit the latest NBA headlin...

Illinois basketball continues to generate recruiting buzz as the Illini host a highly touted 5-star prospect for an unofficial visit. Kurtis and Evan break down what the visit could mean for Brad Underwood's program and recap the latest headlines surrounding Illinois athletics. Later, Chris Hightower returns to the studio for another entertaining showdown, challenging Pierce the Intern in a spirit...

On Hour 2, Chris Hightower stays in studio to continue breaking down an exciting NBA Draft for Illinois basketball and what it means for the Illini moving forward. We also preview this weekend's Cardinals vs. Marlins series, discussing what's at stake as St. Louis looks to keep building momentum before a tougher stretch of the schedule. Plus, we have some fun with the news that the Chicago Bears a...

Former Illini forward Morez Johnson explains why he transferred, saying he "didn't feel comfortable with my future being" at Illinois, and we break down what his comments mean for the program. Plus, Chris Hightower joins us in studio to discuss a memorable NBA Draft night for Illinois basketball, the futures of the Illini draft picks, and what it says about the direction of the program. Follow The...

The guys react to Illinois Fighting Illini and North Carolina Tar Heels announcing a matchup in the 2027 Nashville Hoops Showdown, then take a deep dive into Illinois' basketball schedule, biggest challenges, and early expectations for the season while covering the latest Illini headlines. Plus, United States men's national soccer team looks to make World Cup history, and Evan gets a lesson on com...

Former Illini star Marcus Domask joins the show to discuss his basketball journey, life since Illinois, the excitement surrounding the NBA Draft, and his upcoming youth basketball camp. Plus, some breaking news on his infamous Bonneville! Then, Bulls insider Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports breaks down the Bulls draft haul, what No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler brings to the Los Angeles Clip...

Illinois basketball insider Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini joins the show to discuss Keaton Wagler's selection by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 5 overall pick in the NBA Draft. How does Wagler fit with the Clippers' roster? What expectations should Illini fans have for his rookie season? And what does another top-five pick mean for the future of Illinois basketball? Later, Pierre Noujai...

Illinois star Keaton Wagler officially became the second-highest NBA Draft selection in program history Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Wagler's remarkable freshman season included consensus All-America honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Jerry West Award, and a trip to the Final Four. He now joins an organization lo...

Hour 2 of The Drive opened with Illinois football adding another piece to its 2027 recruiting class, securing a commitment from defensive back Tyrone Howard Jr. The talented secondary prospect gives head coach Bret Bielema and the Illini another athletic defender as the program continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail.  The show also highlighted new Illinois wide receiver commit Brody K...

Hour 1 of The Drive features an in-depth conversation with Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Chris Hine on former Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu and his massive new five-year, $112 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hine explained how Minnesota's trade of Julius Randle created the salary flexibility needed to retain Dosunmu and why the franchise views him as a long-term core piece alongsid...

The Cardinals enter a pivotal point in their season as they begin a six-game stretch against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins, two series they may need to win before facing a significantly tougher schedule leading into the All-Star Break. The discussion centered on St. Louis' playoff positioning, the importance of taking advantage of favorable matchups, and how a strong week could shape...

Michigan basketball was rocked by the stunning news that national championship-winning head coach Dusty May is leaving for the Dallas Mavericks, creating a massive shakeup across the Big Ten and college basketball landscape. Reports indicate May is headed to Dallas after leading Michigan to the 2026 national title, opening a transfer portal window and leaving uncertainty around one of the conferen...

Hour 2 featured a deep dive into the ever-changing Big Ten football landscape with Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports. Ravi examined which conference programs made the biggest strides during the offseason, which contenders may have taken a step back, and where Illinois fits into the 2026 race. The conversation focused on roster development, transfer portal additions, coaching continuity, and the realist...

The Fighting Illini continue to build one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules as Illinois and Texas Tech officially move forward with a marquee home-and-home basketball series. The grumbles of Big Ten schools NOT playing Texas Tech, post-Brendan Sorsby, amounts to nothing. Illinois hosted the first matchup in Champaign, with a return trip to Lubbock set for the 2026-27 season, giving...

Hour 2 of The Drive featured a deep dive into Illinois football's evolving 3-3-5 defensive scheme, with a special focus on the safety positions and the versatile "Chief" role. The guys discussed how the position functions as a hybrid defender, blending responsibilities of a nickelback, linebacker, and safety while creating flexibility for defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's aggressive approach. Th...