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A No. 1 seed for Gophers men's hockey -- and a coach soon for Gophers men's hoops? Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Patrick Reusse joins Michael Rand to break down the opening weekend of the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament -- and to provide an update on where the Gophers are in their search for a new men's basketball coach now that a few seasons are over for prospective coaches.

Puck Drop editor Randy Johnson also joins for a men's college hockey bracket breakdown. The Gophers got a No. 1 seed and all five teams from Minnesota made the NCAA field of 16 -- the first time that has ever happened.

Plus thoughts on United's Hassani Dotson dominating for U.S. Soccer, a big win for Gophers women's gymnastics and a big week for the Wild, Wolves and Vikings.

How the Vikings can make more moves; and many reasons to go deep into nature Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling joins Michael Rand to recap what the Vikings have done in free agency so far -- namely moving a lot of money around in an effort to bolster a defense that sagged in 2020. What else might they be able to do? Look for at least one contract extension for a veteran, Goessling said, to free up some more money to perhaps address the offensive line. And don't forget: Kirk Cousins' 2022 salary ($45 million) becomes fully guaranteed Friday afternoon.

Later in the show, Star Tribune outdoors writer Bob Timmons joins to talk about Friday's special section on going deep into nature. Getting outside for an hour or two is great. But to get an even richer benefit, try a week or more completely unplugged.

And remember when Rand said the Wolves should consider trading Anthony Edwards as part of a deal of John Collins? Yeah, forget all that after Ant dropped 42 on Phoenix on Thursday.

Ryan Longwell fixes the Vikings' kicking; Spielman and Zimmer's last (defensive) stand Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

Former Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, who gave the Vikings six seasons of stable kicking from 2006-2011, joins the show with insights into why the last several seasons have been so volatile in the kicking game -- and what the Vikings can do to fix it. What happens when you don't have stable kicking and every game is a struggle? "The coach is tight," Longwell says. "The GM is tight. The players play tight."

At the start of the show, host Michael Rand examines the latest Vikings free agent signing, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and notices a theme: GM Rick Spielman is loading up on defensive players and short-term fixes in 2021, perhaps as he and head coach Mike Zimmer recognize their jobs could be on the line.

Plus: Jamal Mashburn Jr. enters the transfer portal, a sign of how next season could be a tough one for any coach who lands the Gophers' job.

Lindsay Whalen on building a program + Vikings free agency strategy Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

Michael Rand is joined by Gophers women's basketball coach Lindsay Whalen for an examination of her program. In her third year as head coach, the Gophers went 8-13 -- a record that doesn't reflect the progress that was made under difficult circumstances, Whalen said. An avid local sports fan, Whalen also takes a spin through some of what she likes in Minnesota sports right now.

Also: Did the Gophers men's hockey team lock up a No. 1 seed by beating Wisconsin for the Big Ten title -- briefly stealing the spotlight from another Wild win. Are the Vikings taking the right approach in free agency? And did Gophers AD Mark Coyle signal the continuation of a philosophical shift in the department with his comments Tuesday?

The Richard Pitino firing: What happened and what comes next? Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Michael Rand takes a look at five questions in the wake of Monday night's announcement that Richard Pitino has been fired as Gophers men's basketball coach.

Rand is also joined by Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan for an overall look at the program and Pitino's tenure. How might this have turned out differently and what comes next?

And he takes listener questions from frustrated fans who want to see the Gophers take the next step forward.

Pitino to New Mexico? And the golden age of young Minnesota athletes Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

Patrick Reusse joins Michael Rand at the outset to discuss the latest reports that Richard Pitino could be headed to New Mexico to take the job there. Plus a look at what a return to having fans in the stands means to Minnesota sports and a report on how the Twins look down in Florida.

At the start of the show, Rand breaks down what might be the golden age of young athletes in Minnesota -- from Kirill Kaprizov on down, the list is impressive.

Who will coach the Gophers men's basketball team and what needs to change? Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins for a look at the Gophers men's basketball program. If the Gophers move on from Richard Pitino as head coach, as Scoggins expects them to, who are the front-runners to replace him? And a bigger-picture question: What needs to change within the program for any coach to find sustained success here?

Also, Rand discusses a stunning 30-point win for the Wolves coming out of the All-Star break and shakes his head at familiar problems plaguing Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton

The clock is ticking for the Timberwolves to prove plan is working Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Michael Rand on Thursday as the Timberwolves prepare to start the second half of their season. After a 7-29 first half that saw them fire head coach Ryan Saunders and play without several key starters for stretches, there is a lot to learn in the next 36 games. Will the Wolves make a major move at the trade deadline? Can Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell get on the court together and find chemistry? The clock is ticking.

Also, Rand breaks down the Vikings' decision to cut offensive tackle Riley Reiff, gives kudos to the Wild for another big win and talks about one Gophers basketball team extending its season by a day while another one is finished.

Are the pieces in place for the Wild to be a serious contender? Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

Michael Rand is joined by forward Marcus Foligno for a look at the somewhat surprising Wild. Foligno talks about the message of accountability coming from head coach Dean Evason and how the team navigated Zach Parise's one-game benching last week. Foligno also jokes about how he reminds Kirill Kaprizov that he's leading the rookie sensation in goals (7 to 6) and assigns a nickname to teammate Jordan Greenway.

Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan then joins the show to offer further perspectives on the team's 8-2-1 streak and the excellent goaltending coming from rookie Kaapo Kahkonen of late.

Also on the show: Is tonight going to be Richard Pitino's final game as Gophers men's basketball head coach? If he's replaced, will the U address its glaring diversity hiring shortcomings?

And an odd stat about Vikings kickers in the wake of Dan Bailey's release.

A Timberwolves trade proposal plus Minnesota United's great expectations Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

Michael Rand is joined by Minnesota United beat writer Jerry Zgoda for a look at where the Loons are in their roster building after a successful 2020 season. Minnesota United came within minutes of playing for the MLS Cup just a few months ago. Can they get back at least far this year?

Rand also reveals his latest Wolves obsession: trading for the Hawks' John Collins. He offers three Trade Machine proposals to make that work.

Also: A dive into Dak Prescott's contract, Kappo Kahkonen's emergence as a top goalie option for the Wild and a story about Naz Reid you won't want to miss.

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