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Dane Moore on the Timberwolves at the break; Disappointing hockey; Tubby Smith calls it a career Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts the show with a pair of disappointing Wednesday hockey results, with the U.S. women falling 3-2 to Canada in the gold medal game and the Wild losing for the second time in a week to a mediocre Winnipeg team. Wild coach Dean Evason didn't mince words after the game, and you'll hear from him.

6:00: Timberwolves writer and podcaster Dane Moore joins the show for an examination of the Wolves at the All-Star break. They're 31-28 after Wednesday's loss to Toronto in what has been a very eventful first 59 games. Moore and Rand will put it all into perspective, with thoughts on the Patrick Beverley extension, defensive adjustments and more.

30:00: What to listen for when Kevin O'Connell is introduced today; and former Gophers coach Tubby Smith has called it a career.

Kent Hrbek and a 1987 Twins "season preview" + KAT rescues Wolves in big win Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gives baseball-starved fans a little treat with a "season preview" of the 1987 Twins. He analyzes the roster, looks at Bert Blyleven's bold prediction of World Series contention from the at the end of a 91-loss season in 1986 and concludes that such talk is wishful thinking. There's just not enough pitching and too much of a gap to overcome.

6:00: The 1987 Twins, of course, won the World Series. Rand welcomes one of the heroes of that team, Bloomington native and Twins legend Kent Hrbek, onto the show to talk about that team and the progression to winning it all. Plus Hrbek, whose career was bookended by labor stoppages, has thoughts on the current MLB negotiations.

23:00: The Wolves missed 42 three-pointers and 16 free throws but still managed to beat Charlotte on Tuesday. It wasn't a work of art, but wins like that are important in establishing yourself as a good team.

Ben Goessling on the big decisions awaiting Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand sings the praises of Wild rookie Matt Boldy, who has given the team another dimension since his arrival. Minnesota is 11-1-1 when Boldy has played, and he has given Kevin Fiala new energy. Boldy's hat trick in Monday's 7-4 win was just part of the story, as head coach Dean Evason said after the game.

6:00: Star Tribune Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling joins the show to talk through a number of different subjects. What can we expect new coach Kevin O'Connell to import from the Rams as he takes over this week? Does the Rams' success with Matthew Stafford influence the Vikings' decision on what to do with Kirk Cousins? Where is the money? And how closely should Minnesota monitor the Aaron Rodgers situation?

26:00: The Wolves secured Patrick Beverley for another season with a one-year extension on Monday, while MLB took another step back in negotiations.

Patrick Reusse saves the Super Bowl, college hockey and the Vikings Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at the Super Bowl, which was close but sometimes forgettable. Rand raves about the halftime show, while Reusse complains about how long it was.

Plus a look at the resurgence of Anthony Edwards on the Wolves' win over the Pacers, a radical solution to fix college hockey (from Reusse) and talk of what the Vikings will do now that Kevin O'Connell will officially be taking over as head coach.

A Ben Simmons blockbuster while the Wolves stand still; Super Bowl and new Vikings defensive coordinator Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: After months of speculation, the 76ers traded Ben Simmons on Thursday right before the NBA's deadline. But it was not, of course, to the Wolves. Minnesota stood still at the deadline while Simmons went to the Nets in a blockbuster for James Harden. In the end, the Wolves and 76ers had the correct outcome through patience. The Wolves have improved internally this year without a trade, and Philadelphia got the core player they craved in a deal.

6:00: Mark Craig joins to talk about the Super Bowl and to offer his thoughts on new Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. Plus the Vikings just agreed to hire a new defensive coordinator. What will veteran Ed Donatell bring to the team, and what does a potential shift to a 3-4 defense mean for some of the Vikings' highest-paid players?

26:00: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he is an "optimist" and noted the disaster it would be if regular-season games are missed as a result of the ongoing work stoppage. Pardon me if I'm not as optimistic.

The one thing every Minnesota team needs; Lynx guard Rachel Banham on hoops, engagement to Andre Hollins Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: With the NBA trade deadline approaching Thursday, the Wolves saw their five-game win streak end with a 132-119 loss to the Kings. It was more defensive slippage for the Wolves, whose offense has been clicking. One game shouldn't determine what happens at the trade deadline, but someone like Marcus Smart could be a big pickup. Plus the Gophers lost in both men's and women's basketball.

6:00: Lynx guard and former Gophers guard Rachel Banham joins the show after re-signing with the team for another year. She talked about her legendary marathon breakfasts with Cheryl Reeve, her goals for the season and the viral moment caught on video recently during which she got engaged to former Gophers men's basketball player Andre Hollins.

17:00: Host Michael Rand takes a look at all six Minnesota major pro teams and determines what one thing each of them needs the most.

Are the Timberwolves too good for a trade? Plus Rachel Blount from Beijing and Marcus Fuller on Gophers hoops Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: The Timberwolves won again Tuesday, taking care of a depleted Sacramento team as the trade deadline approaches. Minnesota is 29-25 and has a roster that might make it less tempting to make a trade than it appeared a month ago. But the Wolves also need Anthony Edwards to get going down the stretch. You'll hear from head coach Chris Finch on that subject and Jordan McLaughlin on the strength of the bench.

9:00: Rachel Blount, the Star Tribune's Olympics writer, checks in from Beijing where she has been very busy already. She provides insights into Jessie Diggins' historic bronze medal and details other major events coming up.

15:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller has details on that team's recent struggles and its hopes of getting back on track against Nebraska on Wednesday.

27:00: The Wild might want to flush Tuesday's game away.

Jim Souhan on Lindsay Whalen's future, the Vikings coaching hire and the Wolves at the trade deadline Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Afton's Jessie Diggins made history again early Tuesday, taking home the bronze medal in the women's individual freestyle sprint at the Beijing Games -- the first U.S. woman to win a medal in an individual cross-country skiing event.

5:00: Jim Souhan joins host Michael Rand as they discuss a variety of subjects, including: The Gophers women's basketball team is struggling this year in Lindsay Whalen's fourth season, but Souhan is urging patience as she continues to grow into the job and welcomes in a strong recruiting class next year. ... Plus thoughts on the Vikings' coaching hire and what the Wolves should do at the trade deadline.

25:00: It's important to remember as always when you hear trade rumors: Teams are often trying to create leverage, and they are doing it by filtering messages of varying degrees of truth through the national media.

Patrick Reusse on being right (sort of) about Jim Harbaugh, messed up MLB and the surging Wolves Feb 07, 2022

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at some of the biggest stories in sports. A week ago, Reusse declared he would be shocked if Jim Harbaugh got the job as Vikings head coach. On this week's show, Reusse says he was right ... but for all the wrong reasons. He noted that Harbaugh really wanted the job, but that for whatever reason it didn't work out. And now we will see if it was the correct choice for the Vikings to go with Kevin O'Connell. And Reusse isn't buying the O'Connell-Kirk Cousins connection.

Reusse also weighed in on the continued strong play of the Wolves and what they might do before the trade deadline this week, as well as the messed up negotiations in MLB and having a hard time getting into the Winter Games so far.

Kevin O'Connell's offense; La Velle from Beijing; Wild mid-year report; big move for Lynx Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

Introduction: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal checks in from Beijing where he is in semi-quarantine after being a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID. How is he adapting and what has he been able to cover so far?

7:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins host Michael Rand for a midseason report. The Wild was red-hot going into the break thanks to a lot of balance up and down its lineup. Will that continue during a condensed second-half schedule, and what might the team do in March when the trade deadline arrives?

25:00: Hear from the newest member of the Lynx, five-time All-Star Angel McCoughtry.

28:00: Some key statistical markers from new Vikings head coach Kevin McConnell's offense with the Rams this year.

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