Rephonic
Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

The Drive on ESPN 93.5

ESPN 93.5
Illinois Basketball
Coleman Hawkins
NCAA Settlement
College Athletics
College Basketball
Illinois Fighting Illini
Indy 500
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
FootballSportsBasketball

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

Our guy Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV and Fox Illinois joins us to preview Illinois vs Minnesota. Carson has great insight and statistical breakdowns as always. Plus we talk about the Illinois football transfer portal and some of the odd pictures on Ca... more

The St. Louis Cardinals rolled into Champaign today for our annual Cardinals Caravan! This hour you'll hear from several of the stars for this year's team. Players included Michael McGreevy, Thomas Saggese, Yohel Pozo, Andre Pallante, and alumni favo... more

Can you guess how many Super Bowls the Top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL have won? The number might surprise you. Evan has done the research and explains why overpaying a QB won't win a championship.

Sean Payton did not like a reporter's question about... more

The #13 Illini men's team landed another win last night, this time in Evanston against Northwestern, 79-68. Keaton Wagler led the Illini once again with 22 points, and Tomislav Ivisic also added 21 points and 7 rebounds.

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inqui... 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
We Love No Other
We Love No OtherIlliniBoard

Recent Guests

Zack Pearson
Sports journalist covering the Chicago Bears for BearWire
BearWire, part of 247Sports
Episode: 01/16/26 Hour 1: Cardinals Caravan 2026, Zack Pearson talks Bears vs Rams, Brad Underwood's Press Conference before Illinois vs Minnesota
Carson Gourdie
Sports reporter covering Illinois athletics
WICS TV
Episode: 01/07/26 Hour 1: Carson Gourdie talks Illini Football's biggest need in Transfer Portal & Men's Basketball vs Rutgers, Cubs trade for Edward Cabrera, Cardinals news, Kurtis' Curveballs
Big Def
A celebrity listener and guest on the show, known for his insights on sports and pop culture.
Episode: 01/06/26 Hour 2: BREAKING - John Harbaugh FIRED from Ravens, Illinois State's loss in the FCS Championship, and Tuesday Draft: Best NFL QBs of All Time
Stephen Igoe
Covers East Carolina sports and hosts the Hoist the Colours podcast.
94.3 The Game
Episode: 01/06/26 Hour 1: Stephen Igoe talks Katin Houser & Illini Football, Richie O'Leary talks Rutgers vs Illini Basketball, and Tuesday Draft Announcement
Richie O'Leary
Covers Rutgers basketball for On Three Sports.
On Three Sports
Episode: 01/06/26 Hour 1: Stephen Igoe talks Katin Houser & Illini Football, Richie O'Leary talks Rutgers vs Illini Basketball, and Tuesday Draft Announcement
Glenn Kinley
Sports Director at WCIA-3
WCIA-3 Sports
Episode: 12/30/25 Hour 2: Music City Bowl part 2, Glenn Kinley from WCIA-3 live from Nissan Stadium, Tuesday Draft - Best Movie Sequels
Glenn Kenley
Sports director at WCIA 3
WCIA 3 Sports
Episode: 12/30/25 Hour 1: Music City Bowl 2025 part 1, Keys to the Game, Kurtis' Tennessee Curveballs,
Chris Kwiecinski
Sports reporter for Fox32 Chicago, covering the Bears
Fox32 Chicago
Episode: 12/19/25 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla breaks down the College Football Playoffs opening round, Chris Kwiecinski fom Fox32 with the latest on Bears vs Packers, Friday Toasts
Ally Schneipp
Covers Mizzou Basketball for the Columbia Missourian
Columbia Missourian
Episode: 12/18/25 Hour 2: Illini vs Mizzou Braggin' Rights talk with Ally Schneipp & Joseph Pasthila, Etched in Stone bets, Cardinals & Cubs updates, and more Bears vs Packers

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 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 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 States4 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.

01/13/26 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 discusses new Scoreboard at Gies Memorial Stadium, Illini basketball vs Northwestern, and our Tuesday Draft - Celebrity Crushes
Q: Is there anyone else on the Illini team who could potentially make an early jump to the NBA?
Tristan suggests that Andre Curbelo could be a candidate given his skills and performance.
01/13/26 Hour 2: Tristan Thomas from WCIA-3 discusses new Scoreboard at Gies Memorial Stadium, Illini basketball vs Northwestern, and our Tuesday Draft - Celebrity Crushes
Q: Why did Illinois decide to upgrade the Jumbotron rather than invest in the transfer portal?
Tristan explains that the investment is part of enhancing the overall game day experience for fans, a commitment mentioned by Josh Whitman.
01/16/26 Hour 1: Cardinals Caravan 2026, Zack Pearson talks Bears vs Rams, Brad Underwood's Press Conference before Illinois vs Minnesota
Q: What are your expectations for the Bears playoff performance?
The Bears need to capitalize on opportunities, play consistently, and take advantage of home-field advantage.
01/16/26 Hour 1: Cardinals Caravan 2026, Zack Pearson talks Bears vs Rams, Brad Underwood's Press Conference before Illinois vs Minnesota
Q: What does the Bears need to do this weekend against a Rams team?
They need to run the football, keep Matthew Stafford off the field, and control time of possession.
01/16/26 Hour 2: Carson Gourdie talks Illini vs Gophers & football transfer portal, Etched in Stone, NFL Playoff Predictions, Friday Toasts
Q: What would you like to see him do next in the portal or recruitment wise?
Illinois needs to fill holes in the defensive line, particularly bringing in more bodies and solid talent.

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?

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?

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. 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?

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. Zack Pearson
2. Carson Gourdie
3. Big Def
4. Stephen Igoe
5. Richie O'Leary
6. Glenn Kinley
7. Glenn Kenley
8. Chris Kwiecinski

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