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A Wild trade deadline primer; Where do Vikings, Darnold go from here; Wolves take care of business Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who produced a satisfying result Tuesday in a 126-112 win over Philadelphia. The game was tied late in the third quarter before Minnesota pulled away from the slumping, short-handed 76ers. Facing a bunch of beatable teams, can the Wolves lock in and stack up some wins? Plus Rand dissects the news that the Vikings didn't use the franchise tag on QB Sam Darnold.

10:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand for a look ahead to Friday's NHL trade deadline. The Wild, who won 4-3 late Tuesday at Seattle, are in a precarious place with their salary cap and with injuries to three of their top players.

30:00: Wednesday is a huge day for Gophers basketball.

The changing landscape of high school boys hockey; decision day on Sam Darnold Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the complex world of NFL finances, which makes the Vikings' decision on whether to keep Sam Darnold far more difficult than it might have a generation or two ago. Plus an opportunity tonight for the Wild and Wolves, and why they can't afford a letdown.

9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a further exploration of Scoggins' recent project on the changing landscape of high school sports. Demographic shifts have altered the landscape, particularly in hockey.

24:00: Star Tribune high school sports reporter David La Vaque checks in with thoughts on the upcoming boys' hockey state tournament.

29:00: A big week for Gophers basketball.

Patrick Reusse on the mercurial Anthony Edwards, not enough scoring and the Twins Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included a much-needed victory for the Timberwolves on Sunday night in Phoenix. Reusse compares Anthony Edwards to Randy Moss, but not necessarily in a good way.

From there, they get into a pair of 1-0 victories for the Wild and Loons, with Reusse decrying the lack of attacking spirit from Minnesota United. Bill Guerin is cranky about being asked all the time about injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek.

Plus thoughts on Gophers basketball, the Twins and Sam Darnold.

Anthony Edwards for Luka Doncic trade? + Ben Goessling has all the Vikings dirt at the combine Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' loss to the Lakers on Thursday, which had a number of subplots. A report suggested that Dallas reached out to the Wolves about a Luka Doncic for Anthony Edwards trade before they dealt Doncic to the Lakers. Rand wonders if he would make that trade. Plus Ant picked up his 16th technical foul Thursday, earning an ejection and likely suspension for Friday's game.

10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling has all sorts of updates from the scouting combine in Indianapolis. We know how long Kevin O'Connell's contract is, and Goessling also learned things about other contract negotiations. Plus an update on Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins.

27:00: The Wild's slide.

Damaging Gophers loss; Good Wolves draft news; La Velle E. Neal on Twins owners, Sam Darnold Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers women's basketball team's loss to Washington on Wednesday, a blow to their NCAA tourney hopes. Minnesota lacks impressive victories this season and fell to 8-9 in conference play with the home loss. Plus Rand notes that Detroit has won eight straight games, meaning the Pistons are very likely to give up their first-round pick to the Timberwolves in the 2025 draft.

10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand on three subjects for their weekly debate segment: the impact of Justin Ishbia leaving the Twins ownership picture; whether the Gophers men's basketball team will even reach the Big Ten tournament; and whether the Vikings will use the franchise tag on Sam Darnold.

28:00: Players love the Vikings.

Vikings have QB options, but a decision looms; Chris Hine on the Timberwolves Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with comments from Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at the scouting combine Tuesday. Both are correct in asserting the Vikings still have options at quarterback, but the time is coming soon to make a decision. You'll hear their comments and have a chance to read between the lines.

11:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at where Minnesota stands after a thrilling comeback win over Oklahoma City. The Wolves should be getting healthy right when their schedule softens. Can they take advantage of the position they are in?

25:00: Disappointing losses for the Wild and Gophers men's basketball.

The best high school sports rivalries in Minnesota + a Timberwolves comeback for the ages Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' stunning comeback victory over West-leading Oklahoma City on Monday. Down 106-82 early in the fourth quarter, Minnesota stormed back to force overtime and eventually won 131-128. Jaden McDaniels continues to be a story for the Wolves, who according to Rand shouldn't fear anyone in the West. The Wild, on the flip side, got some concerning news about Kirill Kaprizov.

10:00: Star Tribune high school writer Cassidy Hettesheimer joins Rand on several subjects. They got into her project on the best rivalries in Minnesota high school sports, the recent girls' hockey state tournament and the season-to-date for the PWHL's Minnesota Frost.

30:00: What is the best-case scenario for the Twins and Chris Paddack?

Patrick Reusse wants you to calm down about the Twins ownership development Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which unfortunately for Minnesota teams did not include a lot of successful basketball. The Gophers took a bad loss to Penn State, while the Wolves lost twice coming out of the break. Where does each team stand after those results?

We also learned that Justin Ishbia is no longer in the running to buy the Twins, having instead increased his investment in the White Sox. Reusse wants everyone to calm down and notes that while Ishbia was the only known suitor there is still interest in buying the team from others.

Plus a little hockey and soccer talk at the end.

Four Nations fandom + Wolves opportunity + MLB TV trouble + Minnesota United season preview Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: On a wide-ranging edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand starts with Canada's 3-2 overtime victory over Team USA in the Four Nations championship game. Plus a look at the Timberwolves' relatively soft schedule in March and the breakup between MLB and ESPN.

10:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to preview the Minnesota United season, which begins Saturday at LAFC. Is this the year the Loons become legitimate contenders?

25:00: A listener has a perspective on Ben Johnson.

La Velle E. Neal III on Ben Johnson, Wild vs. Wolves and Total Golf Live Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with an important win for the Gophers women's basketball team, which knocked off Purdue 74-61 on Wednesday to solidify its NCAA tournament status. Plus a look at the confidence of Anthony Edwards and the shakiness of Luka's Lakers.

9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: The Gophers have changed the narrative of their men's basketball season. What does that mean for coach Ben Johnson? Which team do you trust more in the playoffs -- the Wild or the Wolves? And what do we make of Total Golf Live?

28:00: Sam Darnold could be the next Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith. Is that what the Vikings really want?

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