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"Everything in play" with Kirk Cousins this offseason; Minneapolis makes hockey history Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of the Minneapolis boys' hockey team, a cooperative of all seven public high schools in the city, reaching the state tournament after a 3-1 section final victory over Delano. It's the first time any Minneapolis School has been in the boys' hockey state tournament since 1994. They will play Wednesday in the Class 1A state quarterfinals at Xcel Energy Center.

5:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand from Indianapolis with the latest from the NFL Scouting Combine. The big headline this week was GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledging that with QB Kirk Cousins this offseason everything is "in play" -- whether that means a trade, an extension or some other option.

25:00: Jamison Battle's 39-point effort in a Gophers loss on Wednesday was a "what-if" moment for this season ... if not now, then when for the Wild? ... A wonderful Patrick Reusse column on Tony Oliva.

Rob Manfred, the worst commissioner; Feed the KAT; More offseason Kirk Cousins fuel Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand lays out his case for why Rob Manfred is the worst commissioner of any sport during his lifetime. It's not just this year's labor dispute -- which has resulted in the first two series of the regular season being canceled -- but rather the cumulative effect of Manfred's seven years.

7:00: Star Tribune writer Randy Johnson joins the show to discuss three hot topics: The success of the Gophers men's hockey team, a big weekend for Gophers women's hockey and the outlook for Gophers football at the NFL Scouting Combine.

19:00: Speaking of the Scouting Combine, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had some interesting comments about Kirk Cousins on Tuesday.

24:00: A big Wolves win and a continued tailspin for the Wild.

When lockout ends, will Twins be able to compete + Dramatic Wolves win and good NBA expansion news Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes that by virtue of a dramatic 127-122 win over Cleveland on Monday -- keyed by a Karl-Anthony Towns three-pointer in the final minute -- the Wolves have already passed their four-game post-All Star Break schedule test with one game to go. At 2-1 and set to face Golden State in a back-to-back on Tuesday, the Wolves now have a chance to be taken even more seriously.

6:00: MLB's labor negotiations intensified Monday and enough progress was made that the two sides extended the deadline to avoid missing the start of the regular season. But the whole process has left baseball fans frustrated, and Twins Daily founder Seth Stohs joins the podcast to give voice to some of that -- and to analyze how and if the Twins will be able to compete for a postseason berth in 2022.

25:00: The Wild is in the midst of a major funk ... the Packers left Aaron Rodgers out of an important photo ... and is the NBA expanding to Seattle and Las Vegas -- which would be good news for nervous Wolves fans.

Patrick Reusse on Gophers hockey, MLB's mess and the end of moral victories Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a run through the weekend in sports, including:

*The Gophers men's hockey team shut out Wisconsin twice and claimed the Big Ten title. The Gophers have been on a huge and somewhat unlikely run lately, fueled by goalie Justen Close.

*MLB is headed for missed games if it can't resolve its labor situation today. Will there be any progress?

*The Gophers men's and women's basketball teams had opposite results over the weekend, with the women winning and the men losing. One thing is for sure: Moral victories will no longer apply to either team next season.

A playoff-like Wolves win; Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath; a reason for Vikings optimism Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Whether it was the recognition of the post-break stretch run, the opponent or some combination of both, Thursday's Wolves game against Memphis had a playoff-like feel to it. The intensity was excellent, the game was entertaining and the result for the Wolves was earned in a 119-114 victory. Getting the No. 6 seed in the West will still be a long climb, but Thursday was an encouraging sign.

8:00: Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath joins the show ahead of Saturday's season opener in Philadelphia. He talks about the increased role for midfielder Hassani Dotson, expresses optimism about this year's roster and has a fresh perspective on the Michigan/Wisconsin altercation.

25:00: The Wild's recent mini-slide continued with a 3-1 loss in Toronto ... the Gophers women's basketball team celebrated Senior Day in style ... some encouraging words from new Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

Timberwolves closing stretch preview; Is it Cam Talbot's fault?; Border battle; Aaron Rodgers not promised anything Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand liked a lot of what he saw in Wednesday's men's basketball game between the Gophers and rival Badgers, even if Minnesota came up just short in a 68-67 loss. Moral victories aren't a thing in the standings, but you can see the foundation being put in place by head coach Ben Johnson. Plus Rand takes a second-day look at the Wild's budding goalie dilemma, fresh with remarks from head coach Dean Evason shifting blame away from Cam Talbot.

9:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins the show as the Wolves prepare to play the final 23 games of their post-All Star schedule. It starts with four tough games, including Thursday against Memphis -- a possible playoff preview if things go well for the Wolves down the stretch. What are realistic expectations, and what does Hine want to see from this team as games become more meaningful?

29:00: A quick run through three interesting stories: Troy Aikman reportedly is going to join Monday Night Football; Aaron Rodgers reportedly wasn't promised a trade; and MLB has set a Monday deadline for a resolution to its labor standoff, after regular-season games will be impacted.

Ben Goessling on Vikings coordinators, Cousins trade talk; A goalie controversy for the Wild? Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: A third poor start in a row for Wild goalie Cam Talbot has host Michael Rand wondering about the team's short-term and long-term plans at the position. Kaapo Kahkonen has better numbers in fewer opportunities this season and could soon supplant Talbot as the Wild's go-to netminder. But are either of them of a caliber that could win a playoff series for the Wild? That's a question they will need to answer.

7:00: Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling joins the show to talk about Kevin O'Connell's picks for his coordinators and what they might tell us about the direction of the team in 2022. Plus Rand and Goessling talk about why a Kirk Cousins trade to Carolina doesn't make any sense.

27:00: Aaron Rodgers attempts to clarify himself, Part 17 ... Gophers vs. Badgers on Wednesday has plenty of intrigue ... A must-read Patrick Reusse column.

Aaron Rodgers seeks more attention; Kirk Cousins and Carolina; Chip Scoggins on Vikings Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand reads aloud from Aaron Rodgers' latest search for attention, a lengthy Instagram post in which he expresses gratitude and thanks several people -- including teammates -- for the past year. Is it an indication that he's happy where he is? Is it a farewell? Only Rodgers knows, and hopefully we will know soon what he is actually going to do in the future. Rand also takes note of a report Monday that suggests Carolina is interested in Kirk Cousins.

9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to give his thoughts on Cousins, new Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and the Michigan/Wisconsin fight on Monday.

29:00: The local sports calendar hit a little lull, but it's coming back now.

Patrick Reusse ranks the Vikings head coaches and gets Bud Grant's take on Kirk Cousins Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a spin through some of the biggest stories in sports. They start with the brawl between the Michigan and Wisconsin men's basketball teams on Sunday, which started with a confrontation between head coaches Juwan Howard and Greg Gard. Reusse's takeaway: Do away with handshakes.

Plus Reusse walks us through is ranking of the nine previous coaches in Vikings history, which includes a controversial pick at No. 3. And he gets Bud Grant's thoughts on Kirk Cousins.

The five most important things Kevin O'Connell said; hear from O'Connell's college coach; La Velle from Beijing Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand listened (and listened again) to new Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell's introductory news conference and picked out what he deems the five most important things from what was said. You'll hear audio clips from those five moments -- including O'Connell's thoughts on Kirk Cousins, his defensive philosophy and that ever-important "collaboration" -- along with why Rand thinks they are so important.

15:00: Rand caught up with Tom Craft, who recruited O'Connell and was his head coach at San Diego State in the mid-2000s. Craft gives perspectives on O'Connell's personality and why he thinks O'Connell will succeed as a head coach.

22:00: Jim Harbaugh shockingly got a contract extension and raise from Michigan after his flirtation with the Vikings ... the Gophers basketball teams had a pair of ugly losses, but the hockey team got a big recruit ... and La Velle E. Neal III checked in from Beijing with an Olympic dispatch.

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