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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
Illinois Fighting Illini
Indy 500
NIL (name, Image, Likeness)
Cubs
Arkansas
North Carolina
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
FootballSportsBasketball

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

We dive into the MLB postseason picture. Find out why Evan hopes the Reds get to the World Series!

Plus, MLB has approved "robot umpires" for next year.

What are the worst losses you've experienced as a fan?

Also, why it's time for Illini fans to ... more

Illinois O-Line coach Bart Miller addressed the media today. What are his concerns going forward and what does he hope to accomplish against USC?

Plus, ESPN's Dan Wetzel wrote an article stating "Indiana has yet to beat anyone" and that upset a few ... more

Kurtis and Evan go through your Illini texts at 217-359-2255.

Plus, the Bears beat the Cowboys on a wild NFL Sunday.

And Bruce Pearl announced his retirement. We read your unfiltered texts to the announcement.

Saturday night was a rough one for Illini football and fans. Is it time to push the panic button? J Leman says no way!

J breaks down Saturday night's loss, looks ahead to homecoming against USC, and reacts to Bret Bielema's press conference.

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Nick Rodecap
Beat writer for The Hoosier Network covering Indiana football
The Hoosier Network
Episode: 09/19/25 Hour 1: Illinois vs Indiana preview with Nick Rodecap from The Hoosier Network
Mike Schumann
Founder and Chief Editor of The Daily Hoosier
The Daily Hoosier
Episode: 09/18/25 Hour 2: Mike Schumann from The Daily Hoosier talks Illinois vs Indiana; Etched in Stone Bets for the weekend
Rachel Bachman
Senior sports writer for The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: 09/17/25 Hour 2: The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Bachman talks Illini Mom's Practice; Ben Johnson's Bears press conference, and our reactions
Paul Rican
President of Dick Van Dyke Appliance World
Episode: 09/16/25 Hour 2: Illini tix for Homecoming, Illini basketball nugget, and weird ways we've hurt ourselves
Jeremiah Cox
Local Cardinals expert and fan
Episode: 09/16/25 Hour 1: Curt Cignetti's Presser, Illini LG Josh Gesky, and Jeremiah Cox talks Cardinals
Josh Gesky
Illinois LG
Illinois Football
Episode: 09/16/25 Hour 1: Curt Cignetti's Presser, Illini LG Josh Gesky, and Jeremiah Cox talks Cardinals
Jeff Joniak
Voice of the Chicago Bears for over 25 years
Chicago Bears
Episode: 09/12/25 Hour 1: Illini vs WMU preview, Packers dominate, and Jeff Joniak calls in
Jared White
Cardinals fan and guest on The Drive
Episode: 09/11/25 Hour 2: Etched In Stone moneylines, Cards talk, and good news for the Bears
Paul Reiken
Representative from Dick Van Dyke Appliance World
Dick Van Dyke Appliance World
Episode: 09-08-25 Hour 2: The Chicago Bears are moving to Arlington Heights, and Monday Night Football Preview

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 States9 months 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

09/19/25 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk talks Illini basketball schedule & Cubs playoffs; Illini vs IU score predictions; Friday Toasts
Q: What are the realistic expectations for Illini men's basketball this year?
There should be a higher floor for this team, and it is expected to be competitive in the Big Ten, targeting the top four positions.
09/19/25 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk talks Illini basketball schedule & Cubs playoffs; Illini vs IU score predictions; Friday Toasts
Q: What was your first impression of the Illinois men's basketball team's Big Ten schedule?
The schedule is interesting and somewhat imbalanced, with a tough finish and many teams likely heading to the NCAA tournament.
09/18/25 Hour 2: Mike Schumann from The Daily Hoosier talks Illinois vs Indiana; Etched in Stone Bets for the weekend
Q: What is the temperature of Indiana fans going into this game?
Mike indicates that fans are expecting a close game and are ebullient, despite some comparisons to earlier years, reflecting a positive sentiment.
09/18/25 Hour 2: Mike Schumann from The Daily Hoosier talks Illinois vs Indiana; Etched in Stone Bets for the weekend
Q: Where do you see this game being won on Saturday night and why?
Mike Schumann notes that special teams' plays, turnover margin, and splash plays will be key, emphasizing the talent level being fairly even between the teams.
09/17/25 Hour 2: The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Bachman talks Illini Mom's Practice; Ben Johnson's Bears press conference, and our reactions
Q: How much impact do you think losing his mom to breast cancer has had on Coach Bielema's approach?
It deeply matters to him and affects how he connects with players' families.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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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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?

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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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What guests have appeared on The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Recent guests on The Drive on ESPN 93.5 include:

1. Nick Rodecap
2. Mike Schumann
3. Rachel Bachman
4. Paul Rican
5. Jeremiah Cox
6. Josh Gesky
7. Jeff Joniak
8. Jared White

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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