The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Dave Wischnowsky has covered Illini athletics for years. So when he says this year's men's team is as good as the 04-05 squad, you should listen. Check out this great conversation! Plus, the Cardinals moved Brendan Donovan. We look at their current draft stock and farm system.

Our guy the All-American J Leman joins us this hour to discuss Aaron Henry's departure from Illinois football. Henry is headed to Notre Dame to be the new Co-Defensive Coordinator. Who will replace him? J discusses possible replacements and how much it might cost Illinois to pay a new coordinator. Plus, Illinois Athletics had an incredible weekend with ranked wins in basketball, track & field, tennis, and wrestling. This led to an all-timer moment from Evan Stone. Plus, Evan is on a roll with Etched in Stone. Will that continue tonight?

The Illinois Men's basketball team got their 2nd road win against a Top 5 opponent in as many weeks, 77-69 over Nebraska. Now the Illini are ranked Number 5 in the country and Keaton Wagler earned his fifth Freshman of the Week award. It's a lot of numbers and our guy "The Great" Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins us this hour to break it all down!

We break down predictions for Illini vs. Cornhuskers and what to expect in the matchup. Who will handle Pryce Sandifort defensively and will the Keaton Wagler train keep rolling? Plus, news broke this afternoon that the Seattle Seahawks could actually be up for sale with the Super Bowl approaching. Is this a distraction or a nothing before the game? Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey says he wants out of the NBA after 10 games to return to college basketball. He's hired a lawyer and an agent to make it happen. What will this mean for the game? And Etched in Stone & Friday Toasts!

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins us once again from the Senior Bowl in Mobile. Gabe Jacas continues to be the best defensive player on the field. Plus, Luke Altmyer and JC Davis had their best practices of the week! Illini basketball got a solid win last night at home against Washington. Now they head to Nebraska for a showdown that could decide the Big Ten Championship. Ravi Lulla from HurrDat Sports joins us to break down the game.

We've had great guests on this week ahead of the Illinois vs Washington game, with a few people calling it a definite trap game. So how confident are YOU about tonight's game? We answer your texts at 217-359-2255. Have you seen ONE person agree with the decision to keep Bill Belichick out of the Hall of Fame? Neither have we. Evan got things back on track with Etched in Stone last night. He's got 3 new bets for tonight. Lets go!

Brian Teague checks in again from Mobile, Alabama at the Senior Bowl. Is Gabe Jacas still the best player on the field? How did Luke Altmyer's running ability impress coaches? And why did JC Davis have a rough day? Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV joins us to talk about tonight's Illinois vs Washington game at State Farm Center. Carson tells us why he thinks tonight IS a trap game, but the Illini will ultimately win.

Brad Underwood's squad is coming off their biggest win of the season and an all-time performance from Keaton Wagler at Purdue. Will that success carry over to tomorrow night at State Farm Center against Washington? We talk with Roman Tomashoff from Huskie Wire if this is a Trap Game for Illinois. We take another look at the Illinois 2026 football schedule, who has the easiest and the toughest schedules in the Big Ten. Evan's heater came to a screeching halt last night with Etched in Stone. Let's see if he cooks tonight. And who won the Tuesday Draft for our Super Bowl Spreads?!

We're traveling the globe this hour and we start at The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports is live on location with updates on Luke Altmyer, Gabe Jacas, and JC Davis. Which of the 3 did Brian say was "the best player on the field?" Sarah Warren is representing the United States in speedskating at the Winter Olympics. She's also a U of I grad and called us from Germany! Sarah tells us how she overcame TEN knee surgeries to make the Olympic team. This is an incredible conversation! Illinois football released their schedule yesterday and dive in a little bit more.

The Fighting Illini football schedule is out for 2026 and we have it for you this hour! Plus, Tuesday is Draft Day! We're drafting our Super Bowl Spreads. Who won? Vote on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Our guy The Great Kyle Tausk is back with us! Kyle breaks down Keaton Wagler's historic performance against Purdue and the Illini win. Plus Illini Headlines, Curveballs, and plenty more!

The Super Bowl is now set! The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are headed to Santa Clara. Who ya got?! We discuss. Plus, Evan is on a HEATER with Etched in Stone! It's a 20-4 run last week. Will he cash in again?

The Illini men's basketball team got their biggest win of the year with an 88-82 upset over Purdue on Saturday. Keaton Wagler turned in an all-time performance with 46 points, a record for a Freshman and the most ever scored by an opposing player in Mackey. Evan and Cooper are holding it down on Hour 1!

Nick Rodecap covers Indiana athletics for WIUX-FM, The Hoosier Network, and Inside The Hall. Nick was in Miami for their National Championship win and gives us his view of the game. Plus, where does Cignetti & CO go from here? A great listen! Evan was out of the studio, but still called in for "Etched in Stone." He's on a 8-2 heater over the last two days. Will that continue tonight? Plus we preview Championship Weekend in the NFL. Who's going to The Super Bowl? And Friday Toasts! Cheers!

Illinois basketball has its biggest test of the season tomorrow at Purdue! We preview the game with Jimmy Sobeski from the "Flag on the Play" Podcast. Jimmy's been covering Purdue athletics for years and stopped by the studio before heading to Mackey for the game. Brad Underwood met with the media today ahead of the game. We bring you his press conference and get his thoughts on how Illinois will defend Braden Smith. Plus, how much revenue does the Super Bowl actually bring to a city? A new study out today with the answer might surprise you on how the actual dollar amount.

Illini wrestling legend Zane Richards joins us to talk the free RTC clinic after Illinois vs. Rutgers. Evan checks in with his latest Etched in Stone picks after going 4–1, and we debate what the Bears should do with their first-round pick. Like ESPN 93.5 on Facebook and follow us on Twitter & Instagram.

Things went pretty well for Brad Underwood's squad in their first game without Kylan Boswell. The Illini beat Maryland 89-70 and now turn their attention to Purdue. The Great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins to break down the win and preview Saturday's game.

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins us this hour to discuss the National Championship Game. Where does Indiana football go from here? How will Miami reload their roster? We also chat about Big Ten basketball and the NFL Playoffs. Who won our Tuesday Draft and why did they do a victory lap around the radio station? Evan has FIVE bets for Etched in Stone. And we give our score predictions for Illinois vs Maryland.

Tonight is Illinois' first game without guard Kylan Boswell. We preview the Illini vs Maryland and answer your texts. Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 Chicago is back on the show with us. Chris was at Halas Hall for the Bears year-end presser. Where does Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles see the Bears going from their playoff run? And why did Ben Johnson say they "can't build off of 2025?" Also, why did Evan draft Ty Cobb in our Tuesday Draft? The text line was on fire for this one!