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Critical stretch for Wolves without KAT; St. Thomas' early domination; USA World Cup drama Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: It's been proven through various studies that humans are wired to avoid pain more than they are wired to seek pleasure. That might explain some of the drama of sports, and particularly why it feels so draining while watching a team you are rooting for that is trying to protect a lead as opposed to one that is chasing a deficit. The U.S. men's soccer team gave us another lesson on Tuesday, as the Americans held on for a 1-0 win over Iran in a match that aged all of us more than 90 minutes (plus stoppage time).

8:00: With Karl-Anthony Towns out for several weeks with a calf strain, the Timberwolves are facing a critical (and fascinating) stretch of their season. Rand talked with Star Tribune beat writer Chris Hine about the implications of a KAT-free lineup and the various issues with the team that cropped up well before his injury.

30:00: St. Thomas is experiencing early D-I success, accelerating their football timeline and arrival on the local sports scene as a major player.

Bigger surprise: Vikings or Packers? + KAT's injury scare and Rossi's demotion Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the disaster that was the Wolves game on Monday, when the team gave up 77 first-half points in another lopsided loss and then lost Karl-Anthony Towns to a non-contact injury in the second half. The hope is that the injury is just a calf strain. The bigger issue is an inconsistency of effort that has led to a 10-11 record.

8:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins for a film review, looking at an offensive line that has bounced back against New England. Also this question: Should the Vikings be blitzing more? ... And the Vikings poetry segment explores the question of which team's record is more surprising: The 9-2 Vikings or 4-8 Packers.

34:00: A demotion for Wild rookie Marco Rossi.

Patrick Reusse on sensitive P.J. Fleck, the Vikings, Wolves and Gophers volleyball Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the long weekend in sports.

The Gophers football team beat Wisconsin for the second straight season and third time in five years Saturday, prompting a moment of honesty and sensitivity from head coach P.J. Fleck. Did reasonable people really want him fired after the loss to Iowa the previous week? No.

The Vikings can clinch the NFC North next week after another series of games went their way. The Wolves are 20 games into their season and no closer to answers than they were at the start. And Gophers volleyball has avoided the dreaded "distractions."

Can Vikings overcome injuries? + Gophers and the sting of disappointment Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: On a football-dominant Thanksgiving edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand is joined by Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling. The Vikings were demolished 40-3 on Sunday, and now face Bill Belichick's Patriots on short rest Thursday. Will their injuries -- and mounting inconsistencies -- be too much to overcome?

Later on, Gophers beat writer Randy Johnson joins the show to review the frustrating 13-10 loss to Iowa and to set up what's left to play for Saturday vs. Wisconsin.

WCCO's Henry Lake on Wolves and his journey; Kevin O'Connell's biggest coaching challenge Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at perhaps the biggest coaching challenge of Kevin O'Connell's young career. Not only is his team coming off a 40-3 loss to Dallas, but he now must face Bill Belichick -- his former coach -- on a short week. How the Vikings perform Thursday will tell us a lot about the rest of the season.

8:00: WCCO radio's Henry Lake joins Rand for a look at the Wolves, the Vikings and the path that led Lake to WCCO. It's an entertaining conversation you won't want to miss.

30:00: A busy night heading into the holiday.

Sarah McLellan on the Wild; Dave St. Peter on the Twins; Can Vikings rebound? Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the Timberwolves and Vikings and finds a common thread: Teams that shouldn't have to apologize for winning ugly -- but also teams that still have something to prove. The Wolves have won four in a row but heard some boos in the midst of their 105-101 comeback win Monday. The Vikings need to get their season back on track after Sunday's blowout loss.

10:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to talk about the evolving identity of the Wild, and how it is taking time to acclimate to a new style.

27:00: Twins President Dave St. Peter joins Rand to talk about the team's rebrand, on-field projections for 2023 and the TV situation.

Patrick Reusse on the Vikings' historic loss, Gophers' major disappointment and more Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

It wasn't an overly cheerful edition of the podcast as Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand to primarily talk about the Vikings' 40-3 drubbing at the hands of Dallas and the Gophers' 13-10 loss to Iowa -- two defeats that were frustrating for much different reasons.

The Vikings have major concerns, even at 8-2, after they had no answer for the Cowboys' pass rush nor get off the field on defense. With injuries mounting, Minnesota will need to prove that was just a one-game blip.

The Gophers, meanwhile, will never have an easier path to a Big Ten title. But it eluded them once again, as P.J. Fleck's conservative approach kept him winless still in his career against Iowa.

Plus thoughts on the Twins' new look -- and new left side of the infield.

Justin Jefferson for MVP? + What to expect from the U.S. in the World Cup Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling joins host Michael Rand for a look at the Vikings heading into Sunday's big game against Dallas. Minnesota is a betting underdog despite its 8-1 record, so in a sense this is another prove-it game. The Vikings' lead in the NFC North grew again Thursday when Green Bay lost at home to Tennessee.

17:00: Local soccer guru Jon Marthaler joins Rand to preview the World Cup in Qatar, which begins this weekend. The U.S. squad, after missing the tournament entirely in 2018, has a reasonable chance to get out of group play. They will open Monday against Wales with plenty of questions but some optimism as well.

Can the Gophers finally beat Iowa? + Did the light bulb turn on for Anthony Edwards? Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Wolves guard Anthony Edwards played perhaps his most complete game of the season Wednesday in a 126-108 victory over Orlando. The challenge now for Edwards and the Wolves is stacking those good performances on top of each other -- something both the player and team have struggled to do.

10:00: Star Tribune Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson joins host Michael Rand for a preview of Saturday's huge game against Iowa. Can the Gophers win a defensive battle and defeat the Hawkeyes for the first time since 2014?

24:00: Another key Wild injury and some national spotlight for Vikings voice Paul Allen.

The Wolves and a search for winning lineup combinations; Wild suddenly can't score Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand came away unimpressed after watching the Wild skate to a drowsy 2-1 loss at Nashville on Tuesday. Head coach Dean Evason said he liked the team's game and thought the Wild generated enough push to succeed, but from the outside looking in Minnesota just doesn't seem like a dangerous team right now.

6:00: Rand asked Wolves coach Chris Finch and guard D'Angelo Russell about lineup combinations and building chemistry. Their answers were pretty different, but both responses underscored things the Wolves are still searching for this season. Later, Rand was joined by Star Tribune beat writer Chris Hine for an even deeper dive into the Wolves.

33:00: Something to watch for in tonight's Wolves game in Orlando.

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