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Patrick Reusse on the stumbling Twins, brawling Wolves and torpedo bats Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started with the Twins, who had about as bad an opening series as possible in getting swept by the Cardinals. The starting pitching was largely bad. The offense was nonexistent. And the defense was suspect. We shouldn't overreact, Reusse says, but we also shouldn't underreact.

Plus a discussion of the new "torpedo" bats that are helping the Yankees hit homers, the Wolves brawling (and winning) against Detroit and a young defenseman who should give the Wild a lift in a couple weeks.

A Gophers hockey travesty; Twins TV review; debate with La Velle E. Neal III Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers men's hockey team, which neither made its own luck nor received any good fortune in the third period and overtime of a 5-4 NCAA tournament loss to UMass that ended their season Thursday. Was their passive approach or officiating to blame? Two things can be true at the same.

Rand also dives into the Twins' opener and their brave new world of television, which included some good and bad from their 5-3 loss.

13:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus this week: Niko Medved, Twins predictions and the Wild's playoff push.

35:00: A great win for the Wild and a good win for Gophers women's basketball.

Twins TV resolved at last minute; Kwesi on J.J., Rodgers; Chris Hine on Wolves Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins TV situation, which frustratingly went down to the wire but was resolved just before this episode went live. We know what channels and carriers they will be on for Opening Day today and beyond. Plus Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah discussed J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday. We know where they stand, but the situation is still fluid.

14:00: Star Tribune Wolves writer Chris Hine joins the show to talk about the final nine games of the season. The Wolves have five opponents they should beat and four that will be a bigger challenge. Which set of games is more daunting?

36:00: The Gophers men's hockey team heads to Fargo for NCAA regional play.

Will the Gophers finally play St. Thomas? + Twins season preview, TV and sale update Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Host Michael Rand starts with Niko Medved's opening news conference. He came off as a genuine person and certainly didn't shy away from how much money it takes to win in college basketball these days. But the big question came late: Will you play St. Thomas? He seems open to it, which is a good thing. Plus, former Gophers coach Richard Pitino reportedly is on the move, too.

10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins to talk about the season, which starts Thursday in St. Louis. Plus an update on the sale of the team and TV plans.

35:00: A loss for the Wild has made their playoff position a bit precarious.

Inside the Niko Medved hire and big-time Gophers spending; Wolves and Wild lose Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who lost for the third time in four games. While this one was more forgivable in result (at Indiana), the style of play and focus lately have been lacking. It's a bad development for a team trying to fight for a playoff spot. Plus the Wild also lost. They have a very tough week coming up.

11:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a breakdown of why the Gophers hired Niko Medved as well as an examination of where the money is going to come from as athletic budgets venture into new territory.

26:00: A finalized Twins roster reveals a couple surprises and one big issue.

BREAKING NEWS: Niko Medved hired as Gophers coach; Chip Scoggins reacts Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

On a special Monday afternoon edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand and columnist Chip Scoggins break down the news that the Gophers men's basketball program has hired Colorado State's Niko Medved as the next coach.

Patrick Reusse on Niko Medved. Gophers hockey and the Twins Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which starts with a game between Colorado State and Maryland. A buzzer-beater loss for Colorado State on Sunday means head coach Niko Medved is available. Will the Gophers hire him as soon as Monday?

Plus a larger look at big schools dominating the NCAA men's basketball tournament and a preview of the Gophers men's hockey team in the NCAA tourney as well as the Twins starting their season this week.

Ex-Gophers dominate NCAA's first day; Minnesota United's Eric Ramsay joins the show Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

Host Michael Rand starts with the dominance of Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M) and Elijah Hawkins (Texas Tech) on the first day of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Both ex-Gophers left for more NIL money this past offseason, which had a direct impact on Ben Johnson eventually getting fired.

10:00: Minnesota United soccer manager Eric Ramsay joins the show to talk about adjusting to Major League Soccer, his path to get here and what he has learned from other Minnesota teams.

34:00: Two key injuries and one big game.

A fierce debate with La Velle E. Neal; Serious Wild vs. unserious Wolves Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who gave away another game to an inferior opponent on Wednesday in a 119-115 loss to the Pelicans. Turnovers and rebounding did the Wolves in, which speaks to a lack of maturity. Plus the Wild had a completely opposite game and the Gophers lost a player to the transfer portal.

10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. This one is in the Gophers men's basketball program, quarterbacks and Royce Lewis.

Gophers football and hockey + An end to the Aaron Rodgers saga? + Third catcher virus Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Host Michael Rand starts with a bit of a curious rant about the flexibility MLB managers seem to crave when it comes to carrying a third catcher. It was a popular thing during Ron Gardenhire's time with the Twins, and now it seems Rocco Baldelli has been inflicted with the virus. Plus Rand looks at some fresh reports about Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings.

10:00: Star Tribune writer Randy Johnson joins Rand on three subjects: Gophers football, which begins spring practice this week; Gophers men's hockey, which awaits its NCAA fate; and Gophers wrestling.

27:00: An opportunity for the Wild, Wolves and Gophers women's hockey.

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