The Drive on ESPN 93.5
Your daily Illini sports podcast from The Drive on ESPN 93.5 with Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone. 🎙️
Insights from recent episode analysis
On the show
- Brian Teague5 eps
- Kyle Tausk3 eps
- Jeff Jones3 eps
Also: Carson Gourdie, Glenn Kinley, Jacob Infante, Chris Block, Chris Kwiecinski, Chris Hine, Alex Kyi, J Leman, Zac Braunagel, Kurt Kittner, Sean Hammond, Brian Walton, Dave Wishnowsky, Michael Rand, Pierre Noujaim, Evan Stone, Steve Greenberg
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on the show's feed history.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇭🇰HK · Basketball#616.9K to 84K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
6.9K to 84K🎙 Daily cadence·100 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
23K to 280K🇺🇸71%🇭🇰29% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
13K to 154K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/27/26 | 10/27/26 Hour 2: Brewers’ Historic World Series Run, How Cubs & Cardinals Fans Can Unite, Best Scary Movies Draft & Bears-Khalil Mack Trade Rumors | The Drive on ESPN 93.5 is back with another jam-packed Hour 2! The Milwaukee Brewers are making postseason history and stand one win away from the first World Series championship in franchise history. We break down their incredible October run and discuss how Cubs and Cardinals fans can put their rivalry aside and unite. Then it’s time for the Tuesday Draft, as we each pick our favorite scary movies just in time for Halloween! Which horror films make the cut, and who builds the best lineup? Plus, Montez Sweat is back with the Chicago Bears after serving his suspension, and trade rumors are heating up ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Could Khalil Mack return to Chicago? We discuss whether the Bears should make a move to strengthen their pass rush. Subscribe to The Drive, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Bears, Cubs, Cardinals, and sports talk! | 53m 23s | ||||||
| 10/27/26 | 10/27/26 Hour 1: Illinois Basketball Injury Update with Kyle Tausk, Colts Trade Quenton Nelson & DeForest Buckner, Evan's NFL Top 5 / Bottom 5 | The Drive on ESPN 93.5 breaks down the latest Illinois Fighting Illini basketball injury news with Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer. Which key players are sidelined, how serious are the injuries, and what does it mean for Brad Underwood and Illinois heading into the regular season? Plus, the Indianapolis Colts make major roster moves, trading Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner as the franchise reshapes its future. Plus, Evan's Top 5 / Bottom 5 for Week 7 in the NFL. And in MLB, the Milwaukee Brewers are one win away from a World Series championship after taking a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Subscribe to The Drive, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, NFL, and MLB coverage! | 54m 55s | ||||||
| 10/26/26 | 10/26/26 Hour 2: Illinois Basketball Injury Updates, David Mirkovic Foot Injury Concerns, Jonathan Taylor Trade Talk & Evan Watches The Sixth Sense | 🏀 Illinois Basketball Injury Updates & David Mirkovic Concerns The Drive breaks down the latest injury updates following Illinois basketball’s exhibition game against Baylor. What do we know about the Illini’s health, and should fans be concerned about David Mirkovic’s foot? We discuss the potential impact on Illinois basketball as the regular season approaches. 🏈 Should the Indianapolis Colts Trade Jonathan Taylor? We shift to the NFL to debate whether the Indianapolis Colts should consider trading star running back Jonathan Taylor. Would moving Taylor make sense for the Colts, or should they keep one of their biggest offensive weapons? 🎬 Evan Watched The Sixth Sense We wrap things up with Evan’s thoughts on the classic psychological thriller The Sixth Sense. Does the movie still hold up, and how does its legendary twist land today? 🎧 Subscribe to The Drive, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok. Catch more sports talk and entertainment on the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page! | 51m 05s | ||||||
| 10/26/26 | 10/26/26 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour: Illinois Stuns Oregon! Illini Football vs. Maryland Halloween Showdown Preview | The J Leman Hour is back! 🟠🔵 Illinois football is coming off a huge win over Oregon, and we’re breaking down how the Illini got it done against one of the Big Ten’s top teams. J Leman joins The Drive to analyze Illinois’ biggest takeaways from the victory, what it means for the Illini moving forward, and whether this team can keep the momentum rolling. Plus, we look ahead to a Halloween showdown with Maryland! What must Illinois do to secure another Big Ten win, and what are the biggest matchups to watch as the Illini prepare for their next test? 🎧 Subscribe to The Drive, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also catch us on the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini football coverage, analysis, and sports talk! | 55m 42s | ||||||
| 10/23/26 | 10-23-26 Hour 2 - Show continues with Mike Latulip and Brian Teague as guests and ends with a toast. | Evan brings on former Illini Mike Latulip to talk basketball and his live alt-cast during the Illinois/Baylor basketball game. Then Bryan Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins to talk Bears win (positives and negatives) and looks ahead to Illinois vs Oregon. How can Coach Lunney put Michael Clayton in the best position to succeed? Show ends with Evan's prediction and a toast! | 50m 39s | ||||||
| 10/23/26 | 10-23-26 Hour 1 - Stone Alone AGAIN - What is your Dash for? Bears win, ETCHED in Stone, IHSA Football playoffs BEGIN! | Join Evan as he captains the ship solo again. Follow along as he describes making his kids look for headstones in a cemetery, breaks down a BIG Bears victory, and gives his Week 8 Etched in Stone picks. Evan is then joined by WCIA 3's Glenn Kinley to talk IHSA Football Playoffs! | 54m 26s | ||||||
| 10/22/26 | 10/22/26 Hour 2: FOX32 Chicago's Chris Kwiecinski on the Chicago Bears, Thursday Night Football Predictions & Illinois vs. Baylor Preview | The Drive on ESPN 93.5 closes out Thursday with a packed hour of Chicago Bears analysis, final predictions for Thursday Night Football, and a look ahead to Illinois men's basketball's exhibition matchup against Baylor! 🐻 Chris Kwiecinski of FOX 32 Chicago Joins the ShowFOX 32 Chicago digital sports producer Chris Kwiecinski joins us to talk Chicago Bears football. We discuss the latest surrounding the Bears, key storylines heading into their Thursday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots, and what Chicago needs to do to keep its momentum going. 🏈 Final Bears vs. Patriots PredictionsIt's time to make our final predictions for Thursday Night Football! We break down the matchup, share our expectations for the game, and give our picks for how the Bears and Patriots will fare under the primetime spotlight. 🏀 Illinois Basketball vs. Baylor Exhibition PreviewThe Fighting Illini return to State Farm Center on Friday night to face Baylor in an exhibition matchup. We look ahead to the game, discuss what Illini fans should watch for, and consider what this final tune-up can reveal about Illinois heading into the 2026-27 college basketball season. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and check out the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears and Chicago sports coverage. | 51m 36s | ||||||
| 10/22/26 | 10/22/26 Hour 1: Keaton Wagler's NBA Debut with the Clippers, Chicago Bears vs. Patriots Offensive Breakdown & Thursday Night Props | Keaton Wagler makes his NBA debut, and we break down the Chicago Bears' matchup against the New England Patriots! The Drive on ESPN 93.5 dives into the latest Illinois basketball news and analyzes the key matchups that could decide Thursday Night Football. 🏀 Keaton Wagler's NBA DebutFormer Illinois Fighting Illini star Keaton Wagler made an impressive first impression with the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 121-96 win over the Sacramento Kings. We discuss his performance, his transition from Champaign to the NBA, and what Illini fans should expect from the rookie moving forward. 🐻 Breaking Down Bears Offense vs. Patriots DefenseThe Chicago Bears face the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football. We break down the matchup between Chicago's offense and New England's defense, examining what the Bears need to do to move the ball, create scoring opportunities and come away with a big road-tested challenge under the primetime spotlight at home. 🎯 Thursday Night Football Prop BetsIt's time to put our picks on the table! Each of us gives one player prop bet for Bears vs. Patriots. Who are we backing, which matchups are worth watching, and whose pick will come through on Thursday night? We make our selections and put them up against each other. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and check out the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears and Chicago sports coverage. | 55m 06s | ||||||
| 10/21/26 | 10/21/26 Hour 2: Illinois Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown, Bears Face Former Illini Gabe Jacas & Oregon Preview | The Drive on ESPN 93.5 breaks down the biggest storylines in Illinois sports, from a loaded Illini basketball non-conference schedule to the Chicago Bears’ matchup against former Illinois standout Gabe Jacas and a preview of Illinois football vs. Oregon. 🏀 Breaking Down the Illini Basketball Non-Conference ScheduleBrad Underwood and Illinois men's basketball have a challenging slate ahead, featuring marquee matchups against Texas Tech, Duke, UConn and Missouri in the annual Braggin’ Rights game. We break down the schedule, highlight the biggest tests, and discuss what these games could mean for the Illini’s 2026-27 season. 🐻 Bears vs. Former Illini Gabe JacasThe Chicago Bears are preparing for their Thursday night matchup against the New England Patriots, featuring former Fighting Illini edge rusher Gabe Jacas. We discuss Jacas making the jump from Illinois to the NFL and what to watch for in the Bears’ matchup with New England. 🏈 Illinois Football vs. Oregon PreviewThe Illini return from their bye week for a major Big Ten showdown against Oregon at Memorial Stadium. We take a quick look at the matchup and what Illinois needs to do to pull off a statement win. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and check out the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears and Chicago sports coverage. | 52m 10s | ||||||
| 10/21/26 | 10/21/26 Hour 1: Illinois Basketball Preview with Kyle Tausk, Text Line Hijinks & Bears vs. Patriots Preview | Illinois basketball is right around the corner! Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins Evan Stone and Cooper O'Kelly on The Drive to break down the Fighting Illini ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season. What should fans expect from Brad Underwood's squad, and which players could make the biggest impact this year? Plus, Coop and Evan unpack the latest Text Line hijinks, and the guys get you ready for Thursday Night Football as the Chicago Bears prepare to host the New England Patriots in a pivotal Week 7 matchup. 🏀 Illinois Basketball with Kyle Tausk: The Illini Inquirer reporter joins the show to discuss Illinois basketball, key players, and expectations for the upcoming season. 📱 Text Line Hijinks: Coop and Evan break down the latest shenanigans and reactions from The Drive's text line. 🐻 Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots Preview: Can Caleb Williams and the Bears keep building momentum after their Week 6 win over Atlanta? We break down the Thursday Night Football matchup, key storylines, and what Chicago needs to do to come away with a victory. Subscribe to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illinois Fighting Illini basketball coverage, Chicago Bears analysis, and Central Illinois sports talk. | 53m 19s | ||||||
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| 10/20/26 | 10/20/26 Hour 2: Bears Prepare For Short Week Vs Patriots; NBA Season Kicks Off; World Series is Set; Tuesday Draft - Mascots That Can Actually Fight | The Chicago Bears are back in action Thursday night with a short week and a primetime showdown against the New England Patriots. Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone preview the Week 7 matchup, discuss Caleb Williams and the Bears’ momentum after their win over Atlanta, and break down what Chicago needs to do to keep rolling. Plus, the 2026-27 NBA season tips off, and the World Series matchup is officially set! The Milwaukee Brewers will face the Tampa Bay Rays in a battle for the championship, with both franchises looking to win their first World Series title. 🏈 Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots: Can Caleb Williams and the Bears carry their momentum into Thursday Night Football? We break down the matchup, the short-week challenge, and the keys to victory. 🏀 NBA Opening Night: The 2026-27 NBA season is here! We discuss the opening-night matchups and storylines to watch this season. ⚾ 2026 World Series Preview: The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the Fall Classic. Who has the edge in this unexpected championship matchup? 💪 Tuesday Draft – Mascots That Can Actually Fight: It's time for another edition of the Tuesday Draft! We debate which sports mascots would hold their own in a real fight and build our ultimate mascot fighting lineups. Subscribe to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Chicago Bears coverage, NBA discussion, MLB analysis, and sports debates. | 51m 32s | ||||||
| 10/20/26 | 10/20/26 Hour 1: Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini on Illinois Football vs. Oregon Preview, Michael Clayton’s Keys to Success & Illini Basketball's Quentin Coleman | How can Illinois football set up freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II for success against Oregon? Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone on The Drive to break down the Illini’s quarterback situation, what Clayton needs to succeed in his first start, and how Illinois can compete with the Ducks this Saturday. Plus, how good is incoming Illinois basketball guard Quentin Coleman, and what kind of impact could he make for the Fighting Illini? Evan delivers his Top 5 and Bottom 5 teams from NFL Week 6, and we cover the latest Illini headlines in another action-packed hour of sports talk. 🏈 Illinois Football vs. Oregon: Keys to helping Michael Clayton succeed in a challenging Big Ten matchup. 🏀 Illini Basketball Recruiting: Alex Kyi evaluates Quentin Coleman’s talent and potential in Champaign. 🏆 Evan’s NFL Top 5 / Bottom 5: Which teams impressed and disappointed in Week 6? 🟠 Illini Headlines: The latest news and discussion surrounding Illinois football and basketball. Subscribe to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini coverage, NFL analysis, and Central Illinois sports talk. | 58m 42s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 | 10/19/26 Hour 2: Illinois Basketball Defeats Cincinnati In First Exhibition Game; Caleb Williams Leads Bears to Win & College Football Week 7 Upsets | The Drive breaks down a busy weekend in sports, starting with Illinois basketball's exhibition victory over Cincinnati as the Illini begin preparing for the upcoming college basketball season. What stood out in the first preseason test, and what can fans take away from the performance? Plus, Caleb Williams returns to action and the Chicago Bears dominate the Atlanta Falcons. We recap the Bears' performance, discuss Williams' impact, and look at what the win means for Chicago moving forward. We also dive into the biggest surprises from Week 7 of college football, breaking down the weekend's biggest upsets, shocking results, and what they mean for the College Football Playoff picture. In this episode: Illinois basketball defeats Cincinnati in its first exhibition game Caleb Williams returns as the Chicago Bears dominate the Falcons Chicago Bears takeaways and the latest NFL storylines College football Week 7 recap: biggest upsets and surprises What the weekend's results mean for the college football landscape Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow the show on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini sports coverage, Chicago Bears analysis, and college football talk. | 51m 13s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 | 10/19/26 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour: How Illinois Football Can Upset Oregon | Keys to Victory | Can Illinois football pull off a major upset against Oregon this weekend? On The J Leman Hour, former Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman breaks down the matchup with the Ducks and explains why he believes the Fighting Illini have a real chance to come away with a statement victory. J shares his keys to victory for Illinois, what the Illini must do to compete with Oregon, and why this weekend's Big Ten showdown could be an opportunity for Illinois to prove itself on the national stage. Can the Illini shock the college football world? Tune in for J Leman's breakdown and predictions ahead of Illinois vs. Oregon! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illinois football coverage, Illini analysis, and Big Ten sports talk. | 57m 57s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 | 10/15/26 Hour 2: Sunny Verma on Illinois Football & Michael Clayton, Tristan Thomas on Illini Basketball, High School Football & Lovie Smith's Viral Video; Friday Toasts on a Thursday | On this hour of The Drive, Sunny Verma joins us to break down Illinois Fighting Illini football, including the team's struggles, the outlook for the rest of the season, and what Michael Clayton brings to the quarterback position moving forward. Tristan Thomas stops by to discuss the latest on Illinois Fighting Illini basketball, expectations for the upcoming season, and key local high school football matchups to watch. Plus, we react to Lovie Smith's viral video where he confronted a parent and bring you Friday Toasts on a Thursday, featuring the latest takes, hot topics, and sports opinions from the crew! Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and check out the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Chicago sports, and local sports coverage. | 1h 01m 09s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 | 10/15/26 Hour 1: Zain Bando talks Illini Football At 3-3, Are Expectations Too High for Illinois Basketball, and more; College Playoffs Expanding to 24 Teams; Etched in Stone | Kurtis and Evan are joined by Zain Bando to break down Illinois football's 3-3 start, evaluate whether expectations are too high for Brad Underwood and the Illini basketball team, and discuss the latest Fighting Illini headlines. Plus, the guys react to the College Football Playoff potentially expanding to 24 teams and wrap things up with another edition of Etched in Stone. Subscribe to The Drive, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini and sports talk! | 54m 54s | ||||||
| 10/14/26 | 10/14/26 Hour 2: Brad Underwood Named Among College Basketball’s Most Hated Coaches? Bill Speros Interview & Best Backup QB Draft | RotoWire lists Illinois basketball head coach Brad Underwood among the most hated coaches in the country. We discuss the list, the reaction, and what it means for Illini basketball with RotoWire's Bill Speros, who joins The Drive for a conversation you won’t want to miss. Plus, we crown the winner of our Best Backup Quarterbacks of All Time Draft! Which former NFL backups earned a spot, and whose picks came out on top? Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illinois Fighting Illini, college basketball, and NFL discussion. | 52m 39s | ||||||
| 10/14/26 | 10/14/26 Hour 1: Mike Cagley from IlliniGuys Reacts To Illinois QB Katin Houser's Injury Update, Michael Clayton Takes Over At QB; Evan’s NFL Top 5/Bottom 5 | Mike Cagley from IlliniGuys joins The Drive to break down Katin Houser’s injury and what it means for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team moving forward. With true freshman Michael Clayton II stepping into the starting quarterback role, we discuss his impressive performance against Michigan State and what Illini fans can expect from the offense going forward. Plus, Evan reveals his NFL Top 5 and Bottom 5 teams! Which teams are rising, which are falling, and who deserves to be ranked among the league’s best and worst? Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, NFL, and sports talk. | 55m 19s | ||||||
| 10/13/26 | 10/13/26 Hour 2: Brian Teague on Bears Trade Deadline Moves, Montez Sweat’s Suspension, Caleb Williams & Illini vs. MSU; Tuesday Draft: Best Backup QBs Ever | Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins The Drive to break down the latest Chicago Bears storylines, including Montez Sweat’s suspension, whether the Bears should be buyers at the NFL trade deadline, Caleb Williams’ return, and the loss to the Packers. Plus, Brian recaps Illinois’ matchup against Michigan State and discusses the latest surrounding the Fighting Illini. Then it’s time for the Tuesday Draft, as Kurtis, Evan and Coop debate the best backup quarterbacks of all time. Who makes the list, and who gets left on the bench? Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok, and check out the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more sports talk and show highlights. | 54m 19s | ||||||
| 10/13/26 | 10/13/26 Hour 1: Illini Football & Basketball Headlines, Michael Clayton II’s Future at QB & Coop Goes to Olivia Rodrigo | The Drive kicks off with the latest Illinois Fighting Illini headlines, covering the biggest news in football and basketball. With Michael Clayton II stepping up in Illinois’ thrilling overtime win over Michigan State, Kurtis and Evan discuss what the freshman quarterback’s emergence could mean for the future of the Illini offense. Plus, Coop heads to Olivia Rodrigo! Hear the latest Illini talk, football storylines, basketball updates and more on ESPN 93.5’s The Drive. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok, and check out the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more sports talk and show highlights. | 54m 39s | ||||||
| 10/12/26 | 10/12/26 Hour 2: Packers Crush Bears in Green Bay, Mike Ditka’s Legacy & The Latest Illini Headlines | The Drive | The Packers dominate the Bears in Green Bay! The Drive breaks down Chicago’s tough loss to Green Bay, what went wrong for the Bears, and what the result means moving forward. Plus, the show continues reflecting on the legacy of Mike Ditka and his lasting impact on Chicago sports. We also cover the latest Illinois Fighting Illini headlines and everything fans need to know. Subscribe to The Drive and leave a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Bears, Illini, and Chicago sports coverage. | 51m 13s | ||||||
| 10/12/26 | 10/12/26 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour: Illinois Beats Michigan State in OT, Katin Houser Out Indefinitely & Is Michael Clayton the Real Deal? | The J Leman Hour is back! Former Illinois All-American J Leman breaks down Illinois' overtime victory over Michigan State, the loss of quarterback Katin Houser for possibly the remainder of the season, and whether Michael Clayton is the real deal. J dives into the biggest takeaways from the Illini's latest win, how Houser's injury impacts the team moving forward, and what Clayton could bring to the table as Illinois looks to keep its momentum going. Subscribe to The Drive and leave a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini football coverage, analysis, and sports talk. | 59m 17s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 | 10/09/26 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk on Illinois Basketball, Stefan Vaaks & Big Ten Media Day; Illini vs. MSU Predictions | Etched in Stone & Friday Toasts | Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to break down Illinois basketball following Big Ten Media Day! Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone discuss Stefan Vaaks' role in the Illini rotation, what to expect from Brad Underwood's squad heading into the 2026-27 season, and the biggest takeaways from the conference's preseason event. Plus, it's time for Etched in Stone, as the guys share their thoughts on the latest in Illinois sports, make their score predictions for Illinois vs. Michigan State, and wrap up the week with Friday Toasts! Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and like the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears, and Chicago sports coverage. | 56m 08s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 | 10/09/26 Hour 1: Stevie Jay Honors Mike Ditka’s ESPN 93.5 Legacy + Carson Gourdie Previews Illinois vs. Michigan State | Stevie Jay reflects on Mike Ditka’s 20-plus-year history with ESPN 93.5 and honors the legendary Chicago Bears icon’s lasting connection to the station. Then, Carson Gourdie joins The Drive to explain why Illinois can beat Michigan State, break down the Illini’s upcoming matchup, and preview this weekend’s high school football slate. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating and review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and like the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears, and local sports coverage. | 56m 56s | ||||||
| 10/8/26 | 10-8-26 Hour 2 - Evan talks to Brian Teague about Sox and Illini, Evan gets to talk about a forbidden topic... | In Hour 2 Evan not only gets to play the music he likes, but also gets to talk about the topics he likes.... Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to talk White Sox, Illini, and the Bears. | 50m 55s | ||||||
| 9/8/26 | British influencersBig Ten+4 | JoshJase | Big Ten | ChampaignDuke+1 | British influencersBig Ten+6 | — | 29m 31s | ||
| 9/4/26 | Illinois footballUAB game analysis+5 | Brian Teague | Chicago State of Mind Sports | IllinoisUAB+8 | Illinois footballUAB+6 | — | 52m 55s | ||
| 9/4/26 | Illinois footballUAB game analysis+4 | Tristan Thomas | WCIA 3 | IllinoisUAB | IllinoisUAB+8 | — | 54m 55s | ||
| 9/4/26 | Illinois footballsports legends+3 | J LemanKevin Mitchell+1 | IllinoisPia’s Sports Bar | Champaign | Illinois footballJ Leman+5 | — | 1h 53m 58s | ||
| 9/3/26 | Illinois footballUAB matchup+4 | Alex Kyi | Armchair Illini | IllinoisUAB | Illinois footballUAB+5 | — | 49m 12s | ||
| 9/3/26 | Illinois footballUAB preview+3 | Brit Miller | IllinoisUAB | ChampaignGies Memorial Stadium | Illinois footballUAB+5 | — | 1h 00m 44s | ||
| 9/1/26 | UAB footballIllinois football+4 | David Crane | UABIllinois | Gies Memorial Stadium | UABIllinois+6 | — | 52m 02s | ||
| 9/1/26 | Illinois footballUAB+5 | Dave Wischnowsky | Chicago CubsMilwaukee Brewers | Gies Memorial Stadium | Illinois footballUAB+6 | — | 55m 05s | ||
| 8/31/26 | NFL newsMLB updates+4 | — | Detroit LionsCubs+2 | — | Luke AltmyerNFL+5 | — | 50m 48s | ||
| 8/31/26 | Illinois Fighting Illini footballJ Leman analysis+5 | J Leman | Illinois Fighting IlliniUAB | — | Illinois footballJ Leman+7 | — | 57m 17s | ||
| 7/20/26 | MLB trade deadlineCardinals+4 | — | ESPNCardinals+1 | St. LouisArizona+1 | CardinalsAngels+5 | — | 50m 26s | ||
| 7/20/26 | Illinois Football2026 FIFA World Cup+4 | — | SpainCardinals+1 | Illinois | Illinois Football2026 schedule+7 | — | 49m 12s | ||
| 7/17/26 | Josh Whitman's contractIllinois Athletics+3 | Glenn Kinley | Illinois AthleticsNFL | — | Josh WhitmanGlenn Kinley+6 | — | 53m 59s | ||
| 7/17/26 | Illinois FootballCardinals+4 | Adam Wainwright | Barstool SportsCardinals+3 | IllinoisSt. Louis+2 | Illinois FootballTory Tekyl+7 | — | 54m 58s | ||
| 7/16/26 | Cardinals baseballNBA Summer League+4 | Scott SpiezioBrian Teague | Chicago State of Mind SportsIllinois+2 | — | Scott SpiezioCardinals+5 | — | 52m 24s | ||
| 7/16/26 | Illinois AthleticsJosh Whitman+4 | Cooper O'Kelly | Illinois AthleticsCharlotte Hornets+1 | — | Illinois AthleticsJosh Whitman+6 | — | 54m 59s | ||
| 7/15/26 | Illinois basketballBig Ten+4 | Carson Gourdie | FOX IllinoisFinal Four | IllinoisMichigan | Illinois basketballMichigan+5 | — | 51m 13s | ||
| 7/15/26 | Illinois FootballNBA Summer League+5 | — | Illinois footballLos Angeles Clippers | ArgentinaEngland+1 | Illinois footballTrezavant Boyd+6 | — | 54m 58s | ||
| 7/14/26 | MLB All-Star DraftNBA Summer League+4 | — | IllinoisEngland+1 | — | MLB All-Star GameNBA Summer League+6 | — | 50m 58s | ||
| 7/14/26 | St. Louis CardinalsJordan Walker+4 | Jeff Jones | Belleville News-DemocratSt. Louis Cardinals | SpainFrance+2 | St. Louis CardinalsJeff Jones+5 | — | 55m 03s | ||
| 6/11/26 | Keaton WaglerChicago Bulls+5 | Sunny Verma | Chicago BullsIllinois+1 | — | Keaton WaglerChicago Bulls+6 | — | 53m 48s | ||
| 6/11/26 | NBA FinalsNew York Knicks+4 | Carson Gourdie | WICS-TVFox-Illinois+1 | St. Joe-OgdenNew York+1 | KnicksSpurs+7 | — | 52m 30s | ||
| 6/10/26 | NBA FinalsVictor Wembanyama+3 | — | New York KnicksSan Antonio Spurs+4 | — | NBA FinalsVictor Wembanyama+7 | — | 51m 43s | ||
| 6/10/26 | Illinois BasketballRecruiting+3 | Kyle Tausk | Illini InquirerIllinois Basketball+3 | — | Lincoln WilliamsQuentin Coleman+4 | — | 54m 52s | ||
| 6/9/26 | Illinois football recruitmentbasketball recruitment+4 | Alex Kyi | NCAA FootballMadden+4 | — | Sladen ShackLincoln Williams+3 | — | 51m 14s | ||
| 6/9/26 | Illinois FootballSladen Shack commitment+5 | — | Illinois FootballBret Bielema+9 | ChampaignMississippi+2 | Illinois FootballSladen Shack+8 | — | 54m 51s | ||
| 6/8/26 | Bears stadium sagaIllinois recruiting+3 | Brian Teague | Chicago State of Mind SportsIllini+1 | IndianaChampaign | BearsIndiana+5 | — | 52m 23s | ||
| 6/8/26 | Illinois BasketballRecruiting+3 | — | Illinois basketballIllinois football+2 | — | Illinois basketballLincoln Williams+5 | — | 54m 59s | ||
| 6/5/26 | Bears relocationbaseball statistics+3 | Chris Kwiecinski | Fox32Halas Hall+1 | — | BearsIndiana+5 | — | 54m 08s | ||
| 6/5/26 | Chicago BearsHammond Indiana+4 | — | Chicago BearsCardinals+3 | IllinoisIndiana | BearsHammond+7 | — | 54m 59s | ||
| 5/8/26 | Chicago CubsBig Ten Football+4 | Steve GreenbergRavi Lulla | Chicago Sun-TimesHurrdat Sports+1 | Chicago | Chicago Cubswinning streak+5 | — | 53m 59s | ||
| 5/8/26 | Illinois basketball offseasonhigh school recruitment+4 | Kyle Tausk | Illini InquirerIllinois Fighting Illini+2 | — | Illinois basketballhigh school recruitment+4 | — | 55m 02s | ||
| 5/7/26 | Illinois basketballIllinois football+3 | — | Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketballIllinois Fighting Illini football+2 | ChampaignDetroit | Illinois Fighting IlliniNational Title+5 | — | 52m 02s | ||
| 5/7/26 | NCAA March MadnessChicago Bears+4 | Jacob Infante | NCAAChicago Bears+1 | — | NCAAMarch Madness+5 | — | 54m 58s | ||
| 5/6/26 | Ayo DosunmuTimberwolves+4 | — | TimberwolvesSpurs+1 | — | Ayo DosunmuTimberwolves+5 | — | 52m 32s | ||
| 5/6/26 | Illini Men's TennisSuper Regional+4 | Brad Dancer | Ohio StateThunder+1 | — | Illini Men's TennisBrad Dancer+8 | — | 47m 30s | ||
| 5/5/26 | NBA debateLakers vs Thunder+3 | — | LakersThunder+1 | — | JordanLeBron+5 | — | 51m 56s | ||
| 5/5/26 | University of IllinoisMinnesota Timberwolves+5 | Chris Hine | University of IllinoisMinnesota Star Tribune+4 | — | Tom MichaelUniversity of Illinois+6 | — | 54m 57s | ||
| 5/4/26 | Kentucky DerbySt. Louis Cardinals+4 | Chris BlockJeff Jones | Golden TempoSt. Louis Cardinals+1 | — | Kentucky DerbyGolden Tempo+5 | — | 52m 33s | ||
| 5/4/26 | Illinois Fighting Illini sportsMLB season grades+5 | Evan Stone | Illinois Fighting IlliniSt. Louis Cardinals+1 | — | Illinois sportsCardinals+7 | — | 54m 58s | ||
| 5/1/26 | Bret Bielema press conferenceIllinois freshmen playing time+3 | Carson Gourdie | — | — | Bret BielemaIllinois freshmen+4 | — | 49m 47s | ||
| 5/1/26 | NBA PlayoffsTerrence Shannon Jr.+3 | Michael RandChris Block | Minneapolis Star TribuneT-Wolves+1 | — | Terrence Shannon Jr.Timberwolves+5 | — | 1h 03m 19s | ||
| 4/30/26 | Chicago Bears draftAyo Dosunmu impact+3 | Chris KwiecinskiChris Hine | FOX32 ChicagoMinnesota Star Tribune+3 | — | NFL DraftChicago Bears+5 | — | 50m 45s | ||
| 4/30/26 | NBA PlayoffsAyo Dosunmu+3 | Pierre Noujaim | Fox9 MinneapolisIllinois Athletics Hall of Fame+1 | — | Ayo DosunmuNBA Playoffs+3 | — | 54m 54s | ||
| 4/29/26 | NCAA Tournamentsports expansion+3 | — | NCAA Tournament | — | NCAA Tournament76 teams+3 | — | 36m 55s | ||
| 4/29/26 | NBA DraftAndrej Stojakovic+4 | — | IlliniCubs+1 | NL Central | Andrej StojakovicNBA Draft+5 | — | 54m 55s | ||
| 4/28/26 | NFL DraftIllinois Fighting Illini+3 | Brian Teague | Chicago State of Mind SportsIllinois Fighting Illini+1 | — | NFL DraftIllinois Fighting Illini+3 | — | 36m 35s | ||
| 4/28/26 | NFL DraftChicago Bears+3 | — | Illinois footballChicago Bears | State Farm Center | Illinois footballNFL Draft+3 | — | 54m 59s | ||
| 4/24/26 | NFL DraftIllinois Marathon+3 | Glenn Kinley | Illinois Fighting IlliniMajor League Baseball | Illinois | Glenn KinleyIllinois Fighting Illini+3 | — | 52m 21s | ||
| 4/24/26 | Chicago BearsNFL Draft+3 | Jacob Infante | Pro Football & Sports NewsChicago Bears+1 | — | Chicago BearsNFL Draft+3 | — | 54m 59s | ||
| 4/23/26 | WrestlingNFL Draft+3 | Zac Braunagel | Illini wrestlingChicago Cubs+1 | — | Zac BraunagelIllini wrestling+5 | — | 51m 35s | ||
| 4/23/26 | NFL DraftKurt Kittner+4 | Kurt KittnerSean Hammond | Chicago TribuneESPN 93.5 | — | NFL DraftKurt Kittner+5 | — | 54m 57s | ||
| 4/22/26 | St. Louis baseballCardinals farm system+5 | Brian Walton | The Cardinal NationSt. Louis+1 | CardinalsRedbirds | RedbirdsCardinals+5 | — | 51m 53s | ||
| 4/22/26 | Illinois basketball2026-2027 roster+3 | Kyle Tausk | Illini Inquirer | Illinois | Illinois basketballKyle Tausk+4 | — | 54m 51s | ||
| 4/21/26 | Chicago BearsNFL Draft+3 | Brian Teague | Chicago State of Mind SportsChicago Bears+1 | — | Chicago BearsNFL Draft+3 | — | 36m 46s | ||
| 4/21/26 | Cardinals successIllini basketball offseason+3 | Jeff JonesDave Wishnowsky | Belleville News-DemocratIllini+1 | — | CardinalsIllini basketball+3 | — | 54m 54s | ||
| 4/20/26 | NL CentralNBA Playoffs+3 | — | ESPN 93.5 | National League CentralThe City Center+1 | NL CentralNBA Playoffs+3 | — | 32m 42s | ||
| 4/20/26 | Illini basketballTransfer Portal+3 | — | Illini basketball | — | Quentin ColemanBrandon Lee+4 | — | 54m 56s | ||
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Chart history for The Drive on ESPN 93.5
Peaked at #61 in HK, currently #61 in HK.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HK | — | #61 | #61 | — |
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.