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Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

The Drive on ESPN 93.5

ESPN 93.5
Illinois Basketball
Coleman Hawkins
College Athletics
NCAA Settlement
College Basketball
Indy 500
Illinois Fighting Illini
NIL (name, Image, Likeness)
Cubs
North Carolina
Arkansas
Baseball
Revenue Sharing
Illinois Baseball
NCAA Draft
NBA Draft
NCAA
NCAA Tournament
Football
Basketball

The Drive airs weekdays 3-6pm on ESPN 93.5 in Champaign-Urbana!

PublishesDailyEpisodes177Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BasketballFootballSports

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Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

Cooper O'Kelly covers the Illini for The Champaign Room and has joined The Drive in an intern role. We dive into the numbers ahead of Saturday's game.

Plus more on the conditions at Soldier Field this Sunday, the coldest games YOU have ever attended... more

We have the latest on Sherrone Moore's firing at Michingan, the future of the program, potential coaching replacements, what the university knew, and much more.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk about Saturday's game between the Illini... more

NCAA National Champion Lucas Byrd joins us this hour to talk the 2025-2026 Wrestling Season, his career, and much more.

More reactions to Michigan's firing of Sherrone Moore "for cause." More details emerge this hour.

The votes have been tallied an... more

The Illinois Men's basketball team went to Columbus last night and walked out with a W. We break down the game.

Also, Isaac Trotter from 247 Sports & CBS Sports joins us to discuss Keaton Wagler's performance, the state of Illini basketball, and Big... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Lucas Byrd
2025 Big Ten Champion and NCAA Champion wrestler for the University of Illinois
University of Illinois
Episode: 12/10/25 Hour 2: Illini Wrestling's Lucas Byrd; More on Sherrone Moore's Firing; Best Board Games Draft Results
Colleen Kane
Sports reporter for the Chicago Tribune covering college sports
Chicago Tribune
Episode: 12/05/25 Hour 2: Colleen Kane from the Chicago Tribune discusses Illini vs Vols; Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV; Friday Toasts and Game Predictions
Chris Kwiecinski
Sports reporter from Fox32 in Chicago
Fox32
Episode: 12/05/25 Hour 1: Brad Underwood's Pre-Game Press Conference (IL vs TN); Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 talks Bears vs Packers; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Championship Game
Ben McKee
Covers Tennessee Vols Athletics for GoVols247
GoVols247
Episode: 12/04/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal talks Illini Football & Basketball; Ben McKee from GoVols247 talks Illini vs Vols basketball; Etched In Stone "Championship Weekend Edition"
Zack Pearson
Bears reporter for BearReport
BearReport, part of 24-7 Sports
Episode: 12/04/25 Hour 1: Illini Football Accolades; Zack Pearson talks Bears vs Packers; Bielema's Non-Compete; Kurtis' Curveballs
Chris Kwiezinski
Sports reporter covering Northwestern and the Bears
Fox32 Chicago
Episode: 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
Jay Lehman
Former football player and sports analyst
Episode: 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
Mike Bradd
Longtime play-by-play announcer for Eastern Illinois University Athletics
Eastern Illinois University Athletics
Episode: 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
Tony Reetz
Head Coach of the Tolono Rockets
Tolono Unity Rockets
Episode: 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

Hosts

Curtis Allen
Host and sports commentator, providing engaging discussions about college sports, particularly focusing on the Fighting Illini.
Evan Stone
Co-host and sports analyst, known for his insights into college basketball and engaging with various guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 183 ratings
  • Chiefs

    I’m so sick of the chiefs hate on this show

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bullsfan1991
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fun show

    Living in Atlanta this show is a lifeline that keeps me connected to IL sports. Love the sports content but so enjoy when the guys get down a rabbit hole on other topics too. Good chemistry between Lon and Derek keeps it fresh. And have to say for an 18 year old Kyle more than holds his own on air. Keep it going guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Atlanta Illiniman
    United States2 years ago
  • The best show!

    I have listened to nearly every show ever done. I have streamed it for years and was my go to for my commute home in Indy. Very entertaining plus great talk about sports. Lon is the glue that keeps this show going for so many years…..Hopefully for many more years to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Illini 29
    United States3 years ago
  • The best show!

    I have listened to nearly every show ever done. I have streamed it for years and was my go to for my commute home in Indy. Very entertaining plus great talk about sports. Lon is the clue that keeps this show going for so many years…..Hopefully for many more years to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Illini 29
    United States3 years ago
  • No thanks

    Derek is solid. The Tay guy is a gargling mumble jumble hack who likes to hear himself talk while saying nothing insightful or intelligent. Hard pass.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Treerollins
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many listeners feel a strong connection to the hosts and their discussions, especially concerning their support for the Fighting Illini.
The chemistry between hosts creates a lively atmosphere that resonates well with fans of local sports.
Listeners enjoy the engaging and humorous exchanges between the hosts, appreciating their insights into Illinois sports.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

12/10/25 Hour 1: Illini Basketball Beat OSU; Isaac Trotter talks Illini & College hoops; BREAKING Sherrone Moore OUT as Michigan Head Coach
Q: What can we expect from the Illini as they continue the season?
The team's adaptability will be tested as they face different styles in upcoming games, particularly against Nebraska and Missouri.
12/10/25 Hour 1: Illini Basketball Beat OSU; Isaac Trotter talks Illini & College hoops; BREAKING Sherrone Moore OUT as Michigan Head Coach
Q: How does Bill Self let this kid leave Kansas and end up here?
Keaton Wagler didn't play on a big circuit in high school, impacting visibility, and his rapid development caught many by surprise.
12/10/25 Hour 1: Illini Basketball Beat OSU; Isaac Trotter talks Illini & College hoops; BREAKING Sherrone Moore OUT as Michigan Head Coach
Q: What did you make of the game last night?
It was a mature win for the Illini, showcasing their offensive capabilities despite Ohio State's strong performance from Thornton.
12/04/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal talks Illini Football & Basketball; Ben McKee from GoVols247 talks Illini vs Vols basketball; Etched In Stone "Championship Weekend Edition"
Q: What do you think this game goes?
I think Illinois wins a close one given Tennessee is going through some growing pains right now.
12/04/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal talks Illini Football & Basketball; Ben McKee from GoVols247 talks Illini vs Vols basketball; Etched In Stone "Championship Weekend Edition"
Q: What was your first thoughts when Underwood said that Andrej Stojakovic had been playing with an injured ankle?
It was shocking given the injury issues now plaguing the basketball team.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Drive on ESPN 93.5

What is The Drive on ESPN 93.5 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content covers a wide array of topics related to college sports, particularly focusing on the Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball teams. The discussions include game previews and recaps, player injury updates, and insights into coaching strategies, with notable emphasis on recruitment processes. The hosts frequently engage with various sports journalists and analysts to provide expert opinions and entertaining commentary, creating a lively atmosphere that combines analysis with humor. Noteworthy is the podcast's strong listener engagement through discussions that not only analyze sports events but also incorporate personal anecdotes and broader sports culture, making it a relatable experience for fans.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Drive on ESPN 93.5. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Drive on ESPN 93.5 get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

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How many subscribers and views does The Drive on ESPN 93.5 have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Drive on ESPN 93.5 has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Drive on ESPN 93.5:

1. Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast
2. The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini Fan Podcast
3. I on the Illini
4. Inside Illini Basketball
5. We Love No Other

How many episodes of The Drive on ESPN 93.5 are there?

The Drive on ESPN 93.5 launched 6 years ago and published 177 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

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View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

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What guests have appeared on The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Recent guests on The Drive on ESPN 93.5 include:

1. Lucas Byrd
2. Colleen Kane
3. Chris Kwiecinski
4. Ben McKee
5. Zack Pearson
6. Chris Kwiezinski
7. Jay Lehman
8. Mike Bradd

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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