StribSports Daily Delivery

Latest Episodes:

On final failed Vikings defensive possession, who was to blame? Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the Timberwolves' latest loss to Atlanta in which Minnesota allowed 25 three-pointers in a 121-110 defeat. Three-point defense has been a big part of the Wolves' improved play this season, but it has been slipping lately -- a troubling sign for Chris Finch's team.

5:00: Andrew Krammer joins for the weekly Vikings film review, breaking down the big question in the aftermath of the Vikings' 29-27 loss to the Lions on Sunday: Who or what was to blame on the Lions' game-winning touchdown drive?

15:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team, with more analysis of the Vikings' loss -- and what's left to play for this season.

Patrick Reusse on Mike Zimmer's coaching choke, Tony Oliva's HOF election and more Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for an unforgettable look back at another wild weekend in Minnesota sports.

They start, of course, with the utterly predictable yet still unthinkable: The Vikings' 29-27 loss to the previously winless Lions, with the final blow coming on the final play of the game. Mike Zimmer's curious coaching decisions, including moves along the offensive line and a soft defense on the game-winning final drive, contributed mightily to the loss.

From there, Reusse waxes poetic on the election of Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Oliva is one of Reusse's favorite players -- and people -- of all-time.

Plus thoughts on the Gophers football team, the Wild's surge, the Gophers volleyball team in the Sweet 16 and the Gophers men's basketball team surprisingly sitting 7-0 after a big Sunday win Over Mississippi State.

Wolves radio voice Alan Horton; Gophers coordinator intrigue; Could the Vikings ... lose? Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Thursday podcast guest Ryan Hartman's big night (three points, plus-4 for the game) in the Wild's 5-2 win over New Jersey and is intrigued by the Gophers' reported pursuit of former offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca.

5:00: Timberwolves radio voice Alan Horton, now in his 15th season calling Wolves games, joins the show for a look back at his history with the team and his optimism about this season. And yes, we had to talk about the Ed Malloy call from eight years ago.

28:00: Mark Craig joins for the weekly NFL picks segment. Did you think the Vikings might have an easy time this weekend against winless Detroit? Craig says think again. This one will be messy and will leave fans cringing until the final seconds.

42:00: Brian Kelly found himself a new accent.

Byron Buxton joy then MLB pain; Wild leading scorer Ryan Hartman joins the show; Marcus Fuller on Gophers hoops Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

In a sprawling edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand starts with a day of extremes for Twins baseball fans. Wednesday started with the news conference to formally announce Byron Buxton's seven-year contract extension, a joyous occasion for Twins fans. But then the Twins showed they didn't learn anything from last year's pitching missteps by signing Dylan Bundy. And later in the day, MLB's lockout became official, meaning a work stoppage and no other chances to improve the roster for what figures to be at least a couple months.

8:00: Wild forward Ryan Hartman, off to a blistering start with a team-leading 12 goals for one of the NHL's highest-scoring teams, joins the show to talk about his hot start, his journey to the NHL from South Carolina, the importance of taking time off, and how he skipped a Spanish test to watch a Stanley Cup parade in Chicago.

24:00: Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about that team's 6-0 start. Though much of that good start has come against lesser competition -- with tougher opponents soon to come -- it's still a surprisingly good beginning to the Ben Johnson era.

43:00: As D'Angelo Russell goes, so go the Wolves.

Three Gophers athletes join the show; winning Wild and Wolves; MLB's idiotic path Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a spin through three teams that have been hot lately. The Wild won its fourth game in a row and has scored the most goals (83) in the entire NHL. The Gophers men's basketball team is now 6-0 after a dramatic 54-53 win over Pittsburgh, which is more wins than Rand thought they might have all year. And the Wolves are 11-10 and sitting in good position in the Western Conference.

9:00: Three Gophers athletes join the show ahead of big games in the coming days. First up is Sara Scalia from the Gophers women's basketball team before Wednesday's game against North Carolina. Then Sammy Walker from the Gophers men's hockey team before they head to Michigan this weekend. And finally Abigail Boreen from the women's hockey team in advance of this weekend's showdown at No. 1 Wisconsin.

26:00: MLB is on a continued path of self-destruction with a work stoppage looming.

Gophers football: Axe won, Tanner Morgan back, Mike Sanford Jr. out -- and Las Vegas Bowl next? Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

A trio of football guests helped Michael Rand make some sense of a busy week:

*Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joined Daily Delivery to discuss a whirlwind week for that program. Let's see: On Saturday the Gophers beat Wisconsin to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe and to change the narrative on their season; Not long after, we learned that Tanner Morgan is returning for a sixth season while much-criticized offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. is departing. And on Sunday, we should find out which bowl game the Gophers have earned this season.

*Andrew Krammer joined for a film review of the Vikings, which wasn't pretty after a 34-26 loss to San Francisco. The Vikings were gouged against the run in the loss, and it wasn't just an isolated problem explained away by injuries.

*My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite team with Keith Richotte, now with ... limericks?

Patrick Reusse on the Buxton extension, Vikings loss and never doubting P.J. Fleck Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at a very busy weekend in sports. Topics covered:

*Byron Buxton's seven-year, $100 million extension with the Twins. While Reusse and Rand agreed it needed to happen, Reusse has a message for Buxton: Now you need to play.

*The Vikings were run over by the 49ers, though they made enough plays to keep the game close. Defensive shortcomings told the real story, though blaming Kirk Cousins is more fashionable.

*The Gophers beat Wisconsin for just the second time since 2003, and they would have had more than just a trophy (and big win) had Nebraska defeated Iowa. Still, it turned what would have been a disappointing season into a good one.

*The Wolves had a big win in Philadelphia. Ryan Hartman can't stop scoring, which is a good thing for the Wild. And Reusse witnessed perhaps the biggest win of all in Edina.

Will the Twins spend enough money to win? And will they trade Byron Buxton? Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Phil Miller joins host Michael Rand for a look at the Twins and an important offseason. They should have close to $50 million to spend on the open market. But a presumed labor stoppage will complicate any free agent pursuits, and their biggest question might be regarding a player already on their roster: Byron Buxton, and whether they extend or trade him.

Did the Wolves turn a corner? + Gophers QB Tanner Morgan on criticism, opportunity + NFL picks Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

Introduction: It was a winning night for Minnesota teams, with the Wolves, Wild and Gophers men's basketball team all earning victories. The biggest of the three was the Wolves' 113-101 win over the Heat, their fifth win in a row and a triumph over Jimmy Butler. Is it enough to declare this team has turned a corner? Not yet, since consistency has long been a problem. But it was a big step forward.

6:00: Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan joins the show to help set up Saturday's big game against Wisconsin and to answer a big question: How has he dealt with criticism this season?

11:00: Mark Craig's NFL picks.

Gophers DE Boye Mafe on the Badgers showdown; Wolves and Gophers winning with defense Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Introduction: It's an all-defense edition of Daily Delivery as host Michael Rand notes the impact of Minnehaha product and current Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren in Tuesday's 83-63 win over UCLA in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown. And the Gophers men's basketball team is carving out a defensive identity early this season, starting 4-0 thanks to its ability to limit teams from the three-point line.

5:00: Gophers football defensive end Boye Mafe joins the show to help set up Saturday's huge rivalry game against Wisconsin that could determine the Big Ten West champion. Mafe explains how P.J. Fleck keeps the team focused on a single-game mentality and looks back on a career playing in his home state.

10:00: Wolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at the team's recent four-game winning streak, which has been fueled by defense. The Wolves have the seventh-best defensive-rating in the NBA and the No. 1 defensive rating over the past five games, thanks in large part to being very good defending three-pointers. Can they keep it up against a tougher slate of opponents, including old friend Jimmy Butler and the Heat on Wednesday?

29:00: Winning a playoff game without taking a single shot on goal? It happened in Major League Soccer on Tuesday.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

StribSports Daily Delivery

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected