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A big NBA problem, the uninspiring Twins, a telling quote from Ant, an opportunity for the Gophers Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the NBA's biggest problem. Ratings are down for a number of reasons, but here is a big one: As teams like the Celtics have won with ruthless efficiency, as they did Thursday against the Wolves, the game has become less interesting to watch. Rand also touches on the uninspiring Twins offseason plus a win for the Wild and a loss for Gophers men's basketball.

11:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins the show for a weekly debate segment on the Timberwolves, Gophers football and this question: Which championship other than a Super Bowl for the Vikings would mean the most to Minnesota fans?

31:00: A telling quote from Anthony Edwards and an encouraging mindset from the Gophers.

The biggest things that happened in Minnesota sports and a hope for what is to come Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Host Michael Rand starts with a moment of pure sports-watching joy Wednesday, which came from the late drama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Arizona State and Texas. Though the Longhorns prevailed, the Arizona State comeback gave us a game for the ages.

6:00: Rand runs through his list of the 10 biggest story lines in Minnesota sports in 2024. In the end, it was a year of a lot of unexpected success.

23:00: What does Rand hope local teams will get in 2025?

Where's the love for the Vikings' offensive line? + A very serious week in Minnesota sports Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a big week in Minnesota sports as things get serious with the turn of the calendar. The Wolves play the Thunder and Celtics, perhaps the two biggest NBA title contenders this season. The Wild have a big week. The Gophers men's basketball team hosts Purdue. The Gophers football team can extend its bowl streak. And the Vikings cap it all off.

9:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down the film from the Vikings' win over the Packers. Was the offensive line as good as Rand thought it was? How concerned should we be about missed kicks? And can Sam Darnold keep things rolling against Detroit?

29:00: Vikings poetry is on point.

45:00: The Lions were the Lions, which is a compliment these days.

Patrick Reusse on the 14-2 Vikings, bowl season, the Wolves and all-time surprises Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which of course begins with the Vikings' 27-25 win over the Packers on Sunday. The Vikings are now 14-2 with a chance to earn home-field advantage in the NFC next week vs. Detroit. Already this is the most surprising season in franchise history, Reusse says.

Plus a discussion of Anthony Edwards' uneven play this season, even in the midst of a three-game Wolves winning streak, as well as college bowl season.

Special Delivery! Vikings blast Packers, then hold on for win. Week 18 vs. Detroit is for the big prize Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Host Michael Rand gives his quick postgame reactions to Sunday's 27-25 victory by the Vikings over the Packers.

Wolves approaching ultimatum on Julius Randle; Justin Jefferson is heating up for Vikings Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who look lost again after dropping their third game in a row. They are 14-14 after a defeat in Atlanta, and one of two things needs to happen soon: A lineup change bringing Naz Reid into the starting group and Julius Randle to the bench, or a second Randle trade. Plus the return of Filip Gustavsson predictably corrected the Wild's course.

10:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down film from Sunday's win over Seattle and to examine the NFC North. Are the three best teams in the conference all in the same division? And how has Justin Jefferson been getting open lately?

40:00: Award-winning poetry.

53:00: The Packers are keeping pace, and Carlos Santana is gone to a rival.

Patrick Reusse on belief in the Vikings plus the Timberwolves' Julius Randle problem Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included one of the best Vikings' wins of the season. Facing plenty of adversity in Seattle, Minnesota rallied for a 27-24 victory to keep pace in the NFC North at 13-2. Two more wins would give the Vikings the division title and the No. 1 seed in the conference.

In news that is, um, less good: The Wolves have lost two in a row and look just as lost as they did earlier in the season. And the Wild have hit a funk that can only be cured by the return of goalie Filip Gustavsson.

Special Delivery! Vikings win thriller in Seattle, bring No. 1 seed into clearer focus Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Host Michael Rand has postgame thoughts immediately after the Vikings' 27-24 victory in Seattle, with the winning points scored on a fourth-quarter TD pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson.

A tale of two comebacks: KAT gets revenge on Wolves + Ben Goessling on Kirk Cousins' benching Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the unsightly mess that happened at Target Center on Thursday. In Karl-Anthony Towns' much-anticipated return after a trade just a few months ago, the Wolves were clobbered by Towns and the Knicks. Fans booed as the Wolves, who seemed to be getting themselves sorted out by winning six of their previous seven games, floundered.

11:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for a look at two big stories. First, they dive into the benching of former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins and what it means in the big picture. And they examine how the Vikings have been able to keep their veteran players healthy this year.

40:00: A cool moment on Thursday Night Football.

A major Wild concern; La Velle E. Neal III on the Vikings and Wolves; Kirk Cousins on his benching Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who have lost three of their last four games, including another lopsided defeat (6-1) on Wednesday against Florida. Goaltending has been the biggest part of the Wild's resurgence this season, and they need Filip Gustavsson to recover soon from his lower body injury. Otherwise, advanced data says their season will be in peril.

7:00: Kirk Cousins spoke to the media for the first time since he was benched by the Falcons. Hear what he had to say.

10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment, which this week focuses on these subjects: Who will win the NFC North? How important is Thursdays' Wolves vs. Knicks game? And what do we think of a wacky MLB idea?

30:00: Side stories are nice, but Thursday should just be a good basketball game.

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