The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Former Illini forward Morez Johnson explains why he transferred, saying he "didn't feel comfortable with my future being" at Illinois, and we break down what his comments mean for the program. Plus, Chris Hightower joins us in studio to discuss a memorable NBA Draft night for Illinois basketball, the futures of the Illini draft picks, and what it says about the direction of the program. Follow The Drive on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Former Illini star Marcus Domask joins the show to discuss his basketball journey, life since Illinois, the excitement surrounding the NBA Draft, and his upcoming youth basketball camp. Plus, some breaking news on his infamous Bonneville! Then, Bulls insider Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports breaks down the Bulls draft haul, what No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler brings to the Los Angeles Clippers, Kylan Boswell's NBA outlook, and the biggest winners and losers from draft night. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Illinois star Keaton Wagler officially became the second-highest NBA Draft selection in program history Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Wagler's remarkable freshman season included consensus All-America honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Jerry West Award, and a trip to the Final Four. He now joins an organization looking to build around a talented young core and is the highest Illini draft pick since Deron Williams went No. 3 overall in 2005. We'll break down why the Clippers viewed Wagler as the perfect fit at No. 5, what his NBA role could look like immediately, and how his selection continues Illinois' recent pipeline of NBA talent. Plus, the St. Louis Cardinals announced significant organizational changes as Bill DeWitt III was promoted from President to Chief Executive Officer. Meanwhile, Anuk Karunaratne was elevated to President of Business Operations, while Bill DeWitt Jr. remains Chairman and Principal Owner. The move represents the next phase of the Cardinals' long-term succession plan and further separates baseball operations under Chaim Bloom from the club's business operations. We'll discuss why many Cardinals fans are reacting skeptically to the announcement, what it means for the future direction of the franchise, and whether this signals meaningful change or simply a reshuffling of titles.

Hour 1 of The Drive features an in-depth conversation with Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Chris Hine on former Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu and his massive new five-year, $112 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hine explained how Minnesota's trade of Julius Randle created the salary flexibility needed to retain Dosunmu and why the franchise views him as a long-term core piece alongside Anthony Edwards after his breakout 2025-26 season. The show also examined the latest buzz surrounding Illinois freshman sensation Keaton Wagler ahead of tonight's NBA Draft. With most mock drafts placing Wagler firmly in the lottery, discussion centered on potential landing spots including the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and other teams selecting in the top 10. Wagler's elite shooting, playmaking ability, and rapid rise from overlooked recruit to projected lottery pick have made him one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's class. The hour wrapped up with a preview of the upcoming series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks as St. Louis looks to continue its recent winning stretch and build momentum heading toward the All-Star break. The Cardinals have an opportunity to gain ground in the National League standings before a much tougher portion of their schedule arrives.

Michigan basketball was rocked by the stunning news that national championship-winning head coach Dusty May is leaving for the Dallas Mavericks, creating a massive shakeup across the Big Ten and college basketball landscape. Reports indicate May is headed to Dallas after leading Michigan to the 2026 national title, opening a transfer portal window and leaving uncertainty around one of the conference's top programs. Alex Kyi of Armchair Illini joined the show to break down the ripple effects of May's departure, including how it could impact the Big Ten title race and potentially benefit programs like Illinois Fighting Illini heading into the 2026-27 season. The conversation also focused on former Illini star Keaton Wagler and the latest intel surrounding the 2026 NBA Draft. According to Kyi's reporting, Wagler is expected to land somewhere between picks 5 and 9, with teams such as the Clippers, Nets, Kings, Hawks, and Mavericks all viewed as potential destinations. Kyi discussed why Wagler remains one of the most intriguing lottery prospects, and what his sources are hearing just days before draft night. The hour also examined how May's exit could reshape the national college basketball hierarchy and what it means for Illinois' championship aspirations entering next season.

The Fighting Illini continue to build one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules as Illinois and Texas Tech officially move forward with a marquee home-and-home basketball series. The grumbles of Big Ten schools NOT playing Texas Tech, post-Brendan Sorsby, amounts to nothing. Illinois hosted the first matchup in Champaign, with a return trip to Lubbock set for the 2026-27 season, giving Brad Underwood another high-profile test against a perennial Big 12 contender. On the international stage, Team USA delivered an impressive World Cup performance, defeating Australia 2-0 in Group D action. The Americans improved their position in the group standings with a dominant defensive effort and continued momentum after their strong tournament-opening victory over Paraguay. The win sets up a crucial stretch run as the United States looks to advance to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals endured one of their roughest losses of the season, falling 14-6 to the Kansas City Royals. Matthew Liberatore struggled early, allowing the Royals to erupt for a six-run second inning. Kansas City finished with 17 hits and three home runs, while Bobby Witt Jr. homered before leaving with knee discomfort. Salvador Perez added a historic blast at Kauffman Stadium, and despite collecting 13 hits of their own, the Cardinals stranded 15 runners in the lopsided defeat.

On Hour 1 of The Drive, Brian Teague of Chicago State of Mind Sports joined the show to discuss Illinois football's newest commitments and recruiting momentum. Teague explained why four-star wide receiver Bennett Konkey reminds him of former Illini standout Pat Bryant, citing similarities in physicality, route-running, and the ability to become a reliable target in critical situations. He also weighed in on the future of Illinois basketball star Keaton Wagler, explaining why he doesn't believe the Chicago Bulls are the best fit for the talented prospect. Brian also broke down the introductory press conference of new Chicago Bulls head coach Thiago Splitter, discussing his vision for the team's future. Plus, the latest Illini Headlines featuring football recruiting updates, tennis news, track & field, and everything Illinois fans need to know as another busy week unfolds in Champaign.

Illinois football continued its strong 2027 recruiting momentum by securing a commitment from 4-star wide receiver Bennett Konkey and flipping 3-star running back Steven Alexis, giving Bret Bielema's staff two major offensive additions for the future. The duo adds speed, playmaking ability, and depth to an already impressive Illini recruiting class. On the diamond, the Cardinals received a dominant performance from pitcher Dustin May, who shut down the Padres lineup and delivered one of St. Louis' best starting pitching outings of the season. Meanwhile, the Cubs earned a dramatic 5-4 comeback win over the Rockies behind a historic night from centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Crow-Armstrong became the first player in Major League Baseball to hit for the cycle during the 2026 season, completing the feat in reverse order (home run, triple, double, single) while helping spark Chicago's late rally at Wrigley Field. The Cubs capped the comeback with a walk-off victory and have now won four of their last five games.

The Drive kicks off the week with a championship celebration as St. Joseph-Ogden baseball head coach Josh Haley joins the show to discuss the Spartans' incredible run to the IHSA Class 2A State Championship, the key moments from the title game, and what the historic achievement means for the program and community. The guys also break down the New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship in decades, what it means for the league, and where the defeated San Antonio Spurs go from here. Plus, the latest Illinois Fighting Illini football and Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball headlines, recruiting updates, and a recap of Evan Stone's celebrity basketball appearance. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Illinois quarterback commit Dane Eisenmenger meets the media for the first time and discusses why he chose the Illini, his fit in Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense, and what he hopes to bring to the future of Illinois football. Plus, Jordan Sigler from Chi City Sports joins the show to break down the next steps in the Bears' proposed move to Indiana, the political and NFL hurdles that remain, impressions from Bears minicamp, the growing buzz around Caleb Williams, and his recent "war of words" with Micah Parsons. We also hit the latest Illini and Bears headlines and react to a busy day across the sports landscape. Follow The Drive on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!