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Patrick Reusse on Timberwolves dominance, Twins TV and a trip down memory lane May 06, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which of course starts with the Timberwolves' impressive Game 1 conference semifinal victory over the Nuggets. Anthony Edwards was tremendous, as was the defense. It puts Denver in a must-win situation going into Game 2 on Monday.

Reusse and Rand also get into the Twins' 12-game winning streak, which ended Sunday, plus the history of past streaks and the mess that is the team's TV situation.

And somehow a discussion of PWHL Minnesota led to remembering the Minneapolis Lakers.

Inside Comcast vs. Bally Sports, Twins winning streak and Byron Buxton; Wolves vs. Denver preview May 03, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand sets up the second-round playoff series between the Wolves and Nuggets through the eyes (and quotes) of Karl-Anthony Towns. It's been a nine-year journey for KAT to get to the second round, and it's a lesson in continuity.

11:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand to discuss three compelling story lines. The Twins have won 10 games in a row, and the competition will get tougher with Boston coming to town on what should be a beautiful night at Target Field Friday. We should get an update on Byron Buxton's injury Friday as well. But the TV issue between Comcast and Bally Sports, which has left a lot of Twins fans without access to games, is looming over it all.

34:00: The Wolves ownership dispute heads to arbitration, while the Lynx and PWHL Minnesota have key games Saturday.

Nuggets insider breaks down Denver vs. Minnesota; Streaking Twins still have issues May 02, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the Twins' 10-game winning streak, which has come from a balance of improved contributions up and down the lineup, timely pitching and -- let's be honest -- weak opponents. Can the Twins keep it going against better teams? And how much will Byron Buxton's latest knee injury and the dispute between Comcast and Bally Sports dilute the good news?

11:00: Harrison Wind, who covers the Nuggets with a podcast in Denver, joins the show to help preview the Western Conference playoff series between the Nuggets and Wolves. He and Rand will break down the matchups and what they are looking forward to in the series.

32:00: It wouldn't be a day if there wasn't transfer portal news for the Gophers.

Comcast drops Bally Sports North; What it's like to be a Timberwolves fan right now May 01, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some big news for local sports fans. Comcast announced Tuesday night that it was dropping Bally Sports channels, including Bally Sports North, after the sides were unable to reach a contract agreement. BSN disappeared from customers' TVs late Tuesday, and if this impasse is permanent it will have a massive impact on Minnesota sports fans.

10:00: Jeff Day joins Rand on two very different but interesting subjects: What it is like to be a Timberwolves fan after so many tough years and what it is like for college sports donors in the era of name, image and likeness.

47:00: The Knicks had the 76ers where they wanted them, and they let them off the hook.

La Velle E. Neal III on the Timberwolves, Twins, Vikings draft and PWHL Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gets right into things with Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III on a number of subjects. Neal was at the Vikings draft party last week and reports on the enthusiasm of the fan base after first-round picks of J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner.

Rand and Neal also break down how the Wolves dismantled the Suns and what a series against Denver will look like, while Neal offers a July timeline for the return of Royce Lewis even as the Twins continue to surge. Plus Neal has good perspective on the PWHL and Minnesota's push toward the playoffs.

27:00: More analysis of the NBA playoffs from Rand, praise for the Twins bullpen and a listener tries to explain the Falcons' decision to draft Michael Penix Jr.

Patrick Reusse finds all the optimism: Timberwolves, Vikings draft and Twins Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand after a stretch that could only be described as wildly optimistic. Even a curmudgeonly veteran columnist had to agree that times are good in Minnesota sports.

They started with the Timberwolves, who finished off an extremely impressive sweep of the Suns with a Game 4 win late Sunday in Phoenix. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns were terrific. After the franchise's first series win in 20 years, can they go even deeper in the playoffs?

The Vikings landed two blue chip players in the NFL draft with quarterback J.J. McCarthy and pass rusher Dallas Turner. Big swings for big players are the name of the game.

And the Twins have won seven in a row since the last time Rand and Reusse talked -- a show a week ago when they ripped Rocco Baldelli's team.

A great night for the Vikings in the draft; Bobby Nightengale on the Twins Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand recaps the first round of the NFL draft, which saw the Vikings get Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy without having to give up any other first round picks aside from No. 11. That was a huge win for the Vikings, who not only got their quarterback of the future but also nabbed edge rusher Dallas Turner while retaining their 2025 first-round pick. It was also a very confusing night for former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.

11:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a look at the Twins, who are fresh off a four-game sweep of the hapless White Sox. Was that a function of just how bad Chicago is, or is there hope for the Twins after a rough start?

32:00: Will the Wolves treat Friday's Game 3 with urgency?

The most important draft pick in Vikings history + rename a street for Naz Reid? Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand comes to a rather important conclusion as we prepare for the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. The Vikings, on the clock at No. 11 and very likely to move into the top 10, are on the verge of making the most important draft pick in franchise history. No pressure, though.

7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk about the Timberwolves, who have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoff series with Phoenix. Can they take their excellent play on the road for Game 3? Plus Scoggins weighs in on the NFL draft and recent transfer portal moves for the Gophers football team.

28:00: Rename a street for Naz Reid? Plus three wins in a row for the Twins.

Timberwolves dominant again; Andrew Krammer with last-minute Vikings draft thoughts Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand talks through another dominant Timberwolves victory in the playoffs, putting Minnesota up 2-0 in its series over Phoenix. Jaden McDaniels (25 points) looked like the best player on the court during a 105-93 win at Target Center, while the Wolves' balance was a big story all night. Can they keep it going when the series shifts to Phoenix?

10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for one final look at what the Vikings might do at quarterback in Thursday's draft. All the scenarios make sense. And we'll know the outcome soon.

30:00: The Twins escaped with a much-needed win and the Gophers got some good transfer portal news.

Can the Timberwolves do it again? + Another Gophers transfer and answering a big email Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who had the pleasure of playing the White Sox on Monday. A 7-0 victory over hapless Chicago could be the start of an early season turnaround. One emailer, who didn't like all the negativity on Monday's show with Patrick Reusse, sure things it will be. Plus Rand gets into the latest Gophers men's basketball departure into the world of the transfer portal and likely big money.

11:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand to break down how the Wolves were so dominant in a Game 1 victory over Phoenix on Saturday. Can Minnesota do it again in Game 2 tonight against the Suns?

32:00: A big shot from the defending champs.

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