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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
Revenue Sharing
Baseball
Illinois Baseball
NCAA Draft
NBA Draft
NCAA
NCAA Tournament
Basketball
Football

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes177Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsBasketballFootball

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Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

Illini football have a bye week, but the rest of the conference is in action. Kurtis & Evan break down games and make their predictions.

Evan gives an in-depth preview of Illini Wrestling for 2025-2026. Some great information in this segment!

Also,... more

Game 2 of the Illini men's basketball season is tonight! Florida Gulf Coast comes to town and we'll preview the game. Plus, Alex Martin from the Naples Daily News calls in to tell us about the FGC roster.

And Kurtis has your Friday Curveballs that c... more

Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talks with the media as the team heads into an off week. Coach Bielema addresses injuries, the future the quaterback position, transfer portal, and more.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat sports takes on a trip around t... more

Illini Basketball head coach Brad Underwood met with the media today before tomorrow night's game against Florida Gulf Coast. Coach Underwood gave the latest injury report, talked about defensive concerns, and who will be starting week to week.

Plus... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Alex Martin
Sports writer covering Florida Gulf Coast
News Press, Naples Daily News
Episode: 11/07/25 Hour 1: Illini Men's Basketball vs FGC Tonight; Alex Martin talks tonight's game; Kurtis' Curveballs
Daniel Thompson
Basketball analyst and contributor
Basketball Society
Episode: 11/05/25 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs; Daniel Thompson talks Bulls & Illini hoops; Our Roadside Snack Draft Results
Zack Pearson
Covers the Bears for BearReport.
BearReport, part of 247Sports
Episode: 11/04/25 Hour 2: Zack Pearson from BearReport joins us to talks the Bears so far; Cardinals & Cubs Gold Gloves; Roadside Snacks Draft
Kyle Tausk
Covers Illinois Hoops for Illini Enquirer
Illini Enquirer
Episode: 10/31/25 Hour 2: The Great Kyle Tausk talks Illini basketball's home opener & 2025 season; World Series Game 6; Illini vs Rutgers Final Predictions; Friday Toasts
Kendall Bostic
Color analyst for Illinois Women's Basketball Radio
Illinois Women's Basketball
Episode: 10/31/25 Hour 1: Kendall Bostic talks Illini Women's Basketball; Illini Headlines; Illinois vs Rutgers; Kurtis CURVEBALLS
Ravi Lulla
Sports commentator and analyst
Hurdat Sports
Episode: 10/30/25 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla from HURRDAT Sports talks Big Ten Football; Etched in Stone; Illini Soccer vs Buckeyes
Richie O'Leary
Publisher of The Knight Report covering Rutgers sports
The Knight Report
Episode: 10/29/25 Hour 2: Richie O'Leary from The Knight Report talks Illini vs Rutgers; Horror Draft Recap; More Illini Headlines; World Series Game 5 Preview
Tristan Thomas
Sports reporter from WCIA covering high school football
WCIA 3
Episode: 10/29/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Rutgers preview; Illini Headlines; Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs; Kurtis' Curveballs
Roman Tomashoff
Sports journalist covering the Washington Huskies
Husky Wire, USA Today Sports
Episode: 10/23/25 Hour 1: Fomer Illini & current State Rep. Kam Buckner talks his STARS Bill; Roman Tomashoff talks Huskies vs Illini; Bret Bielema Presser

Hosts

Curtis Allen
Host on ESPN 93.5 with extensive experience discussing sports analysis and engaging with audiences over various sports topics.
Evan Stone
Co-Host on The Drive, known for insightful sports commentary and engaging discussions on local and professional sports.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 178 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.

A portion of listeners feels critical of certain hosts, pointing out moments they find less engaging or insightful.
The chemistry between the hosts is often highlighted as a strong point of the show, enhancing the listening experience.
Some audience members express loyalty to the program over the years, noting it as a staple in their daily routines.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions and insights into local sports, particularly the high-quality commentary on the Illinois teams.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#223
United States/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#206
Austria/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#210
Mexico/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#221
Hong Kong/Sports/Basketball

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

11/07/25 Hour 1: Illini Men's Basketball vs FGC Tonight; Alex Martin talks tonight's game; Kurtis' Curveballs
Q: What is the expectation for Ramir Barno this season?
He is expected to play a crucial role as a scorer and facilitator, potentially averaging between fourteen to sixteen points per game.
11/07/25 Hour 1: Illini Men's Basketball vs FGC Tonight; Alex Martin talks tonight's game; Kurtis' Curveballs
Q: What has Pat Chambers meant to the Florida Gulf Coast program?
He has been trying to revive a program that hasn't been relevant on the national scene in about ten years, with the goal of getting back to the NCAA Tournament.
11/06/25 Hour 1: Illini Headlines; Brad Underwood's Press Conference Before the FGC Game; Kurtis' Curveballs
Q: Any update on Andre or just how much progress he's making?
Brad Underwood mentioned that Andre still hasn't participated in an entire practice and is a game-time decision.
11/04/25 Hour 2: Zack Pearson from BearReport joins us to talks the Bears so far; Cardinals & Cubs Gold Gloves; Roadside Snacks Draft
Q: How do the players feel about the offensive line and its future?
For the most part, they feel they have solid pieces in place, but left tackle remains a concern. There's optimism about upgrading positions in the future.
11/04/25 Hour 2: Zack Pearson from BearReport joins us to talks the Bears so far; Cardinals & Cubs Gold Gloves; Roadside Snacks Draft
Q: What can you tell us about the Bears' secondary situation and any hope for a wild card run?
Kyler Gordon appears most likely to return from IR, but overall, injuries have made the secondary vulnerable. Getting one player back would be seen as a bonus.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

Featuring a dynamic combination of sports discourse and insightful commentary, this podcast focuses on various aspects of American football and basketball, with a pronounced emphasis on local teams in the Champaign-Urbana area. The hosts engage in lively discussions about game previews, player performances, and the evolving fan experiences at major events, particularly relating to the University of Illinois. Unique perspectives are offered by a variety of guests, encompassing expert analysts and sports commentators, which enriches the conversation around both professional and college sports.

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

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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?

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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?

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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. Alex Martin
2. Daniel Thompson
3. Zack Pearson
4. Kyle Tausk
5. Kendall Bostic
6. Ravi Lulla
7. Richie O'Leary
8. Tristan Thomas

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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