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Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

The Drive on ESPN 93.5

ESPN 93.5
Illinois Basketball
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois
Chicago Bears
NCAA Tournament
Big Ten Conference
Illinois Football
Super Bowl
Basketball
Keaton Wagler
NFL Draft
Big Ten
St. Louis Cardinals
Michigan
Senior Bowl
NCAA Basketball
Bobby Hauck
UCLA
Cardinals
USC Basketball

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. 🎙️

Follow The Drive on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

PublishesDailyEpisodes177Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsFootballBasketball

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

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!

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Chris Hightower
In-studio guest, comedian and local figure
Episode: 06/26/26 Hour 2: Cardinals vs. Marlins Weekend Preview, Chris Hightower Talks NBA Draft & Chicago Bears Hallmark Movie, Friday Toasts
Marcus Domask
Former Illinois/Illini basketball player, mentor pioneer
VIP Sports LLC Core Three Mentorship
Episode: 06/25/26 Hour 1: Former Illini Marcus Domask Joins the Show; Brian Teague Talks Bulls & NBA Draft Breakdown
Sonny Verma
Analyst from Locked on Illini
Locked on Illini
Episode: 06/24/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler Drafted No. 5 Overall by Clippers; Cardinals Announce Major Front Office Changes
Pierre Neuhain
Analyst familiar with Timberwolves era
Minnesota market
Episode: 06/24/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler Drafted No. 5 Overall by Clippers; Cardinals Announce Major Front Office Changes
Anuk Karunaratne
President/Executive leader at Cardinals (Business Operations)
Cardinals
Episode: 06/24/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler Drafted No. 5 Overall by Clippers; Cardinals Announce Major Front Office Changes
Dirk Nowitzki
Hall of Fame basketball player, former Dirk Nowitzki video message recipient
Basketball, Dallas Mavericks
Episode: 06/23/26 Hour 2: Illinois Football Lands DB Tyrone Howard Jr., Brody Knowles Gets A Greeting From Dirk Nowitzki & Biggest NBA Draft Busts Ever
Christopher Hine
Timberwolves beat writer for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Episode: 06/23/26 Hour 1: Chris Hine Breaks Down Ayo Dosunmu’s $112 Million Timberwolves Deal, NBA Draft Night for Keaton Wagler & Cardinals-Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview
Pierce The Fierce
Intern, pro wrestling enthusiast
In-studio guest on The Drive
Episode: 06/22/26 Hour 2: Cardinals Face Critical Stretch Before All-Star Break; Messi Sets Another World Cup Record; Intern Pierce Takes on MLB All-Star Voting and Canada
Riley Kachaturian
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Episode: 06/19/26 Hour 1: Illinois Basketball vs Texas Tech Home-and-Home Series Is A Go; Team USA Shuts Out Australia; Cardinals Crushed by Royals

Hosts

Kurtis Allen
Host of The Drive on ESPN 93.5
Evan Stone
Co-host of The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 188 ratings
  • Senior Bowl Content

    Kurtis and his team do a great job of introducing new voices to the audience. I’ve enjoyed the relaunch of this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SovereignWoody
    United States5 months ago
  • Chiefs

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bullsfan1991
    United States2 years 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 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 glue that keeps this show going for so many years…..Hopefully for many more years to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Illini 29
    United States4 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 States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes show a polarizing take on teams like the Chiefs; fans either love the banter or dislike the bias.
Kurtis and his team introduce new voices and diversify the show's perspectives.
Listeners appreciate strong host chemistry and entertaining, insightful Illini-focused content.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#214
United States/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#15
Spain/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#96
India/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#138
Hong Kong/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#186
Spain/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

06/24/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler Drafted No. 5 Overall by Clippers; Cardinals Announce Major Front Office Changes
Q: What stood out most about Wagler's draft-night presentation and fit with the Clippers?
The analysts noted Wagler's high-effort game, versatility, and potential to contribute as a multi-position wing off the bench behind established veterans.
06/23/26 Hour 1: Chris Hine Breaks Down Ayo Dosunmu’s $112 Million Timberwolves Deal, NBA Draft Night for Keaton Wagler & Cardinals-Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview
Q: Walk us through how the Ayo Dosunmu deal came together and what ultimately made him stay with the Timberwolves.
Chris Hine explains the Wolves' month-long process to evaluate Dosunmu after acquiring him, the decision to match or offer, and how his postseason performances, especially the 43-point game in the Denver series, boosted his value and fit with the team culture, leading to a multi-year, well-compensated deal.
06/24/26 Hour 2: Sunny Verma on Wagler-to-Clippers & Bulls Big Night; Pierre Noujaim Breaks Down Ayo's Massive Payday; Biggest Draft Bust Results; Intern Pierce vs. A Map
Q: How does Ayo Dosunmu's new contract impact Minnesota's roster construction and its guard depth going forward?
Pierre explains that Dosunmu provides a reliable backcourt option alongside Edwards, helping balance scoring and defense while the team navigates injury concerns and Dante DiVincenzo's injury impact.
06/24/26 Hour 2: Sunny Verma on Wagler-to-Clippers & Bulls Big Night; Pierre Noujaim Breaks Down Ayo's Massive Payday; Biggest Draft Bust Results; Intern Pierce vs. A Map
Q: Sunny, what stood out to you about the Bulls' top four picks and how Caleb Wilson fit into their plans?
Sunny notes that the top four players formed a clear tier and Caleb Wilson's size and versatility could offer a strong two-way presence, with the Bulls aiming to build youth and potential around strong athletic profiles.
06/25/26 Hour 1: Former Illini Marcus Domask Joins the Show; Brian Teague Talks Bulls & NBA Draft Breakdown
Q: What is Core Three Mentorship and why did you start it?
Domask explains it as a program with three pillars—building a better player, a better person, and building relationships—stemming from his overseas experience and desire to give back to younger athletes with a holistic developmental approach.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

Two hosts deliver a fast-paced, locally flavored sports show focused on Illinois Fighting Illini basketball and football, plus Bears, Cardinals, Cubs, and wide Champaign-Urbana coverage. Episodes blend headlines, in-studio banter, guest expert analysis, and crowd-sourced fan interaction, with occasional light-hearted segments and an intern feature that adds fresh perspectives. Noteworthy are the frequent cross-sport discussions, deep dives with regional reporters and national writers, and a humor-forward style that keeps the conversation accessible to a broad Illinois sports audience. This mix likely appeals to listeners seeking timely team updates, insider takes, and entertaining banter tied to local sports culture.

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. I on the Illini
3. Inside Illini Basketball
4. IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
5. Illini Pella Saturday SportsTalk

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

The Drive on ESPN 93.5 launched 7 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?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Drive on ESPN 93.5. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Recent guests on The Drive on ESPN 93.5 include:

1. Chris Hightower
2. Marcus Domask
3. Sonny Verma
4. Pierre Neuhain
5. Anuk Karunaratne
6. Dirk Nowitzki
7. Christopher Hine
8. Pierce The Fierce

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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