Rephonic
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
Illinois Fighting Illini
Indy 500
NIL (name, Image, Likeness)
Cubs
North Carolina
Arkansas
Baseball
Revenue Sharing
Illinois Baseball
NCAA Draft
NBA Draft
NCAA
NCAA Tournament
Basketball
Football

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
BasketballFootballSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

Evan and Kyle discuss a wide variety of topics including trending sports headlines, Illini spring football, the college basketball transfer portal and much more.

Illini Inquirer's Kyle Tausk is in studio filling in for Kurtis to discuss Illini basketball's offseason and retention & transfer portal efforts. Later, Illinois women's basketball head coach Shauna Green joins the show to talk about her team's offse... more

Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports joins the show to break down the latest movement in the Big Ten Transfer Portal and what it means for teams across the conference.

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini also stops by to discuss Stefan Vaaks’ transfer to Illinois... more

WCIA Sports Director Glenn Kinley joins the show to break down the latest developments in the Transfer Portal, including what it could mean for Illinois basketball. He also shares insight on the potential impact of John Blackwell, Keaton Wagler's fut... more

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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast
Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast247Sports, Illinois, Illinois Football, Illinois Basketball, Illinois Athletics, College Football, College Basketball
I on the Illini
I on the IlliniMike Cagley, Bleav
Inside Illini Basketball
Inside Illini BasketballChampaign Multimedia Group

Recent Guests

Jay Bilas
College basketball analyst
ESPN/analyst
Episode: 04/06/26 Hour 2: How will the Illini attack the Transfer Portal starting tomorrow? Could John Blackwell come to Champaign? Plus Jay Bilas vs John Calipari over the NCAA & NIL Money
John Calipari
College basketball coach
Kentucky
Episode: 04/06/26 Hour 2: How will the Illini attack the Transfer Portal starting tomorrow? Could John Blackwell come to Champaign? Plus Jay Bilas vs John Calipari over the NCAA & NIL Money
Dan Dakich
Sports radio host, controversial commentator referenced in episode
Former broadcaster; co-host on other stations
Episode: 04/03/26 Hour 2: Final Four preview part 2 - Illinois vs UConn; Dan Dakich vs Illini Fans; Score Predictions and Friday Toasts!
Chris Hightower
Comedian mentioned as on-air guest
Independent comedian
Episode: 04/03/26 Hour 2: Final Four preview part 2 - Illinois vs UConn; Dan Dakich vs Illini Fans; Score Predictions and Friday Toasts!
Dan Jockich
Radio personality mentioned in banter
Media figure
Episode: 04/03/26 Hour 2: Final Four preview part 2 - Illinois vs UConn; Dan Dakich vs Illini Fans; Score Predictions and Friday Toasts!
Lon Tay
Basketball analyst and Illinois basketball commentator
ESPN 93.5 The Drive
Episode: 04/02/26 Hour 2: Lon Tay is back in-studio to talk Illinois in the Final Four!
Tom Fornelli
CBS Sports writer, Illini basketball and football analyst
CBS Sports
Episode: 04/02/26 Hour 1: Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports; Brian Teague of Chicago State of Mind Sports talk Illinois in the Final Four
Roger Powell Jr.
Valpo head coach; 2005 Final Four Illini team member
Valparaiso University
Episode: 03/31/26 Hour 1: An Illini '05 Reunion! It's a full hour with Roger Powell Jr and Dee Brown
Dee Brown
Illini star, 2005 Final Four participant, media personality
Former Illini player, Roosevelt University coach
Episode: 03/31/26 Hour 1: An Illini '05 Reunion! It's a full hour with Roger Powell Jr and Dee Brown

Hosts

Kurtis Allen
Host of the show, known for engaging discussions on local sports with insightful analysis and a humorous tone.
Evan Stone
Co-host of the show, offering insights and humor alongside Kurtis Allen, enhancing the program's engaging atmosphere.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 186 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 States2 months ago
  • 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 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.

Many listeners find this podcast to be a crucial source of information about their local sports teams, particularly during basketball season.
Listeners appreciate the entertaining banter and insightful sports commentary that connects them to local sports culture.
Feedback indicates a mix of opinions, with some challenges regarding specific topics but a general love for the content.
The hosts' chemistry is often highlighted, making the show enjoyable to listen to on commutes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

03/30/26 Hour 1: The Fighting Illini are headed to The Final Four - Dave Wischnowsky discusses the win over Iowa & previews match against UCONN.
Q: Dave, how are you doing, sir?
Dave Wischnowsky says he's doing great and shares that he was at the Houston game, describing the atmosphere and the joy of Illinois returning to the Final Four after 21 years.
03/31/26 Hour 1: An Illini '05 Reunion! It's a full hour with Roger Powell Jr and Dee Brown
Q: What was the feeling inside the Final Four run moment against Arizona and how does that compare to today's expectations?
Powell describes the energy shift after steals and timely plays as the moment the team felt they had a real chance, illustrating the momentum swing that defines championship runs.
03/31/26 Hour 1: An Illini '05 Reunion! It's a full hour with Roger Powell Jr and Dee Brown
Q: From a coach's perspective, how does the 05 team's approach to preparation inform today's players dealing with pressure?
Brown and Powell suggest staying connected as a team, minimizing distractions, and focusing on preparation to translate talent into performance during elite moments.
03/31/26 Hour 1: An Illini '05 Reunion! It's a full hour with Roger Powell Jr and Dee Brown
Q: What stands out stylistically about this UConn Huskies team and what Illinois could exploit?
Powell emphasizes that UConn's size, versatility, and experience create a difficult matchup, but Illinois can leverage aggressiveness and know-how in rebounding and interior play to challenge them.
03/23/26 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer and Dave Wischnowsky talk Illinois moving on to The Sweet 16, preview Houston game
Q: Kyle, where can folks find your bold statements online and all your work with Illini Inquirer?
Kyle Tausk answered that you can follow him at ktos13 on Twitter (X), and that it remains the best place to track his Illini coverage and insights.

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?

This podcast focuses on local sports, specifically basketball and football, with an emphasis on the Illinois Fighting Illini. Episodes often feature lively discussions about recent games, player performances, and upcoming matchups, providing listeners with insightful analysis and expert commentary from sports journalists and analysts. Additionally, the hosts engage in candid conversations that explore various topics beyond sports, enhancing the entertainment value of the show. The dynamic between the hosts and their guests often yields a mix of serious insights and light-hearted banter, creating a vibrant atmosphere for fans of local athletics.

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Drive on ESPN 93.5, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

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

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Drive on ESPN 93.5, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Drive on ESPN 93.5 from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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. Jay Bilas
2. John Calipari
3. Dan Dakich
4. Chris Hightower
5. Dan Jockich
6. Lon Tay
7. Tom Fornelli
8. Roger Powell Jr.

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days