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Vikings draft: Who will they pick and how will the approach be different? Plus keys for Wolves in Game 5 Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dissects the back-and-forth series between the Timberwolves and Grizzlies heading into Game 5 on Tuesday in Memphis and finds some pretty simple keys. The Wolves need to keep the Grizzlies from getting too many offensive rebounds -- a two-fold mission that limits Memphis' second-chance points and helps the Wolves get transition baskets. And they need to stay out of foul trouble. If they do that, they will have a chance to come back to Target Center leading the series.

8:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to help preview the upcoming NFL Draft. While there is always intrigue this time of year, it is heightened this week with new General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah making the picks instead of Rick Spielman. How will the Vikings' approach change in terms of what and who they value? And will that yield any different results starting Thursday when Minnesota has the No. 12 overall pick?

28:00: Taking note of Kevin Fiala's excellent season for the Wild and the big decision looming in the offseason.

Patrick Reusse on the dramatic Timberwolves victory and the greatness of Byron Buxton Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at an overwhelmingly positive weekend in Minnesota sports.

The Timberwolves proved that momentum can be a myth sometimes in sports by coming back after a devastating Game 3 loss to even their series against Memphis with a 119-118 victory at Target Center. Rand came to the realization that the games we watch are different from the games players play, while Reusse wants to know if the national narrative now shifts to Ja Morant being a poor clutch player.

The Twins, meanwhile, swept all four games from the White Sox -- including Sunday's dramatic 6-4 win in 10 innings thanks to a three-run walk-off blast from Byron Buxton. After a sluggish start, the Twins have evened their record at 8-8.

Meltdown at Target Center: Breaking down the Timberwolves' epic Game 3 collapse Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Host Michael Rand goes all-in on the Timberwolves after their stunning Game 3 loss to Memphis at Target Center.

Up by 26 points in the first half and 25 points late in the third quarter, the Wolves fell 104-95 after being outscored 37-12 in the fourth quarter.

You'll hear from head coach Chris Finch, players Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell, plus the Star Tribune's Chris Hine and Chip Scoggins as they try to explain what happened Thursday night.

NFL QB Trey Lance joins the show; Time to panic about Twins? Keys to Wolves in Game 3 Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand previews the critical Game 3 showdown between the Timberwolves and Grizzlies, noting that he considers the Wolves' emotional response to a Game 2 blowout loss to be of utmost importance. Can the Wolves navigate evolving matchups and ride the positive energy of what is sure to be an energized Target Center to take a series lead?

8:00: Former North Dakota State standout and Marshall native Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, joins the show to talk about his journey, his future and a recent opportunity he had to raise a lot of money for an organization in southwest Minnesota.

16:00: The Twins were shut out on Wednesday, prompting manager Rocco Baldelli to have some critical comments about their approach at the plate. At 4-8, is it time to panic -- or at least worry -- about the direction they are heading?

22:00: Rand rolls through some listener questions and takes note of some positive developments in Gophers basketball.

An unwatchable Wolves loss in more ways than one; Marcus Fuller on Gophers recruiting, Dawson Garcia Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: The Wolves' 124-96 loss to Memphis on Tuesday was predictable and unwatchable on multiple levels. Memphis had far more urgency than Minnesota after losing Game 1 at home, and the Grizzlies played to their strengths with depth, defensive tenacity and offensive rebounding. The Wolves, meanwhile, tried to generate too much offense in isolation and suffered through a night with Karl-Anthony Towns in foul trouble. It was a grinding game early, making it hard to watch -- if you could watch at all. Problems with blackouts and streaming services left many fans angry.

7:00: Marcus Fuller joins host Michael Rand for a breakdown of the Gophers men's basketball team's efforts in the transfer portal. After landing Dawson Garcia early in the week, Ben Johnson has turned his attention to bolstering the backcourt.

27:00: Kevin Fiala, Matt Boldy and Cam Talbot continued to shine for the Wild in an important 2-0 over Montreal, while the Twins bullpen blew another lead and misses Taylor Rogers more than ever.

Gophers land a huge recruit; La Velle E. Neal on Wolves, Wild and Twins Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: 21 different ESPN experts predicted how the Wolves vs. Grizzlies series would turn out, and all 21 picked Memphis. The Wolves are surely using perceptions like that as fuel as they try to take a 2-0 series lead Tuesday in Memphis, host Michael Rand said.

7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins the show to give his take on the Wolves, Wild and Twins. The Wild will be without Marcus Foligno for a few games after the wing went into COVID protocols. The Twins, meanwhile, have had surprisingly good starting pitching so far -- No. 5 in the majors in starter ERA through 10 games.

25:00: The Loons busted out for three goals over the weekend, the Gophers landed a huge recruit (more on that during Wednesday's show) and a major college hockey story.

Patrick Reusse on the Game 1 Wolves win, punchless Twins and playoff-bound Wild Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the biggest stories of the weekend and a look ahead at what's to come.

It was a double dose of good news when it comes to the playoffs: The Wolves controlled Game 1 against Memphis for almost all of the 48 minutes in earning a 130-117 road victory, while the Wild earned three points over the weekend to secure a playoff berth. It's just the third time in their combined history that the Wild and Wolves have made the playoffs in the same year.

We should savor this postseason because the way the Twins look through nine games, there won't be any October baseball. They have just 51 hits in nine games and injuries are already mounting.

Special Delivery! From Memphis after the Wolves' huge Game 1 playoff win Apr 17, 2022

Show notes

Host Michael Rand was joined by Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine, who was in Memphis for the Wolves' convincing 130-117 Game 1 victory in the Western Conference playoffs opener.

Rand and Hine talked about the big nights for Anthony Edwards (36 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (29) points and several supporting players.

Plus does one win change the perception of the series, and what should we expect in Game 2 on Tuesday night?

Patrick Beverley vs. Ja Morant; the Memphis perspective; Ryan Hartman's Venmo Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand identifies the single most important thing in the Wolves' upcoming playoff series against Memphis: Karl-Anthony Towns playing well and having control of his emotions. Towns talked about adversity on Thursday, but one gets the sense that he doesn't always understand that some of it is self-inflicted. Can he use Tuesday's win over the Clippers as motivation?

6:00: Drew Hill, who covers the Grizzlies in Memphis, joins Rand to help preview the series. What made Memphis so good this season? Why did Ja Morant struggle against the Wolves, contributing to a very even season series? They'll explore those ideas and more.

23:00: Patrick Beverley vs. Morant should be a matchup worth watching, and it could stoke the fire of an emotional series. ... Beverley and the Wild's Ryan Hartman were both fined for obscenities this week, and both found help from fans. ... Minnesota connections have been prevalent in the NCAA women's gymnastics meet.

Wolves will need more from KAT; Kershaw's controversial exit vs. floundering Twins; WNBA must expand Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: A generational argument played out again Wednesday when Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was pulled after 80 pitches and seven perfect innings at Target Field against the Twins. Should he have been allowed to try to finish the perfect game? It all depends on who you ask -- including Kershaw, who was fine with the move given the circumstances. Regardless, the Twins' offense is in rough shape with Miguel Sano starting the year 0-for-19, Alex Kirilloff going on the IL and their top minor league affiliate in St. Paul getting zero hits on Wednesday.

10:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins host Michael Rand as they spin forward to the Wolves' first-round playoff series starting Saturday in Memphis. The level of confidence in Anthony Edwards after his 30-point game against the Clippers is matched by the level of concern over Karl-Anthony Towns' growing portfolio of postseason struggles. Simply put, KAT needs to find his game and his composure.

26:00: The WNBA has fewer than one-third of the roster spots as the NBA. That's a major problem that is spotlighted during the draft, which was earlier this week. Plus a major Gophers departure -- and perhaps a major addition soon.

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