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A big Wolves win, a huge Twins trade and a question: Should the Vikings trade Justin Jefferson? Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gets to the two big stories from Monday night right away. The Wolves (and their fans) were teetering before a big win over Oklahoma City restored order and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They won 107-101 despite what Anthony Edwards considered poor officiating.

6:00: The Twins, meanwhile, made their first big move of the offseason by trading longtime infielder Jorge Polanco to the Mariners for a starting pitcher, relief pitcher and two prospects. Seattle got the best player, but the trade should be good for both teams.

12:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins the show to talk through the Super Bowl matchup and the Vikings' offseason so far. Are they playoffs telling us anything about roster building? And is trading Justin Jefferson something the Vikings should consider?

39:00: T.J. Hockenson had surgery, while the Gophers women's basketball team got bad news about Mara Braun's injury.

Patrick Reusse on the Lions' choke, Timberwolves angst and the mood at TwinsFest Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports.

The big discussion point, and a debate that will rage for a while, is whether the Lions and head coach Dan Campbell erred in being too aggressive on fourth down attempts -- aiding a San Francisco comeback victory in Sunday's NFC title game. Reusse boils it down succinctly: Campbell was an idiot.

Meanwhile, there is fresh concern about the Timberwolves after another bad loss to the Spurs. Is this the start of a second-half slide, or are some recent lapses against bad teams just a lull?

Plus thoughts on the Wild and TwinsFest.

Former Twin Glen Perkins on the greatness of Joe Mauer -- and the promise of the 2024 Twins Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand took note of two results Thursday and tried to put them in perspective. The Wolves won ugly against Brooklyn, but grinding out road wins against bad teams is essential for two reasons: proving they can sustain a high level for a full year and gaining a top-four seed in the Western Conference. The Wild's loss to Nashville, meanwhile, was another sign they just aren't quite up for competing for a playoff spot this year.

8:00: Former Twins pitcher Glen Perkins, a longtime teammate of newly elected Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, joins the show to talk about his long history with Mauer, his overall excellence and maybe a few things you didn't know. Plus Perkins gives his thoughts on the 2024 Twins.

34:00: The Falcons have a new head coach, and it isn't Bill Belichick.

Joe Buck's 'disgusting act' regret; Sarah McLellan on the Wild; Harbaugh back in the NFL Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand tries to connect the dots on three intriguing national stories. First, longtime NFL play-by-play voice Joe Buck said this week that declaring the touchdown and fake moon by Randy Moss was a "disgusting act" is the one call he'd most like to have back in his career. Plus the Milwaukee Bucks changed coaches even in the midst of success and the Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh.

10:00: Rand is joined by Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan for a deeper look at a team that has been up and down all season. What should we expect the rest of the way from a team that has lacked consistency and has been hampered by injuries?

38:00: The Wolves wiped away a bad loss with a decent win.

Gophers vs. Badgers; rethinking Packers playoff misery; With Joe Mauer in, who's next in Minnesota? Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at two damaging Gophers basketball losses to the Badgers on Tuesday. The men had a chance to change momentum but again had another close loss. The women, meanwhile, might rue their three-point loss in Wisconsin by the time the season ends. Plus Rand is done trying to figure out the suddenly hot Wild.

9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand to talk a little more about Joe Mauer and about appreciating all the great athletes we have in Minnesota. Who is the most likely candidate to reach the Hall of Fame next?

23:00: Rand rethinks his idea that the Packers are now the cursed franchise.

Special Delivery! Joe Mauer elected to Baseball Hall of Fame; La Velle E. Neal III reacts to the news Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand after Tuesday's news that Twins great Joe Mauer has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

The final margin was tight -- he cleared the bar by four votes, being named on 76.1% of ballots -- but the honor is undeniable. The St. Paul kid who spent his entire career with the Twins will be enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 21 along with Adrian Beltre and Todd Helton.

Neal, who covered Mauer's entire playing career, shares stories and unique perspectives of Mauer and celebrates the achievement.

Chris Finch blasts Wolves; Kent Youngblood on Gophers, Lynx; Joe Mauer's anticlimactic big day Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts the show with the Timberwolves, who got 62 points from Karl-Anthony Towns but lost to the terrible Charlotte Hornets on Monday at Target Center. Afterward, head coach Chris Finch blasted the team for its immature approach and "disgusting" defensive effort.

10:00: Rand is joined by Star Tribune writer Kent Youngblood for a midyear check-in on the surging Gophers women's basketball team. Plus Youngblood analyzes WNBA free agency, which opened Sunday. The Lynx have needs, but will they find matches?

31:00: We already pretty much know Joe Mauer will be elected to the Hall of Fame tonight. It's a tremendous honor, but maybe some of the moment is temporarily lost by what we already know?

Patrick Reusse on more Packers heartbreak, Joe Mauer's Hall of Fame candidacy and more Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started with the NFL playoffs and a batch of compelling division round games. It could have been an all-NFC North title game, but the Packers choked against the 49ers and came up short in their upset bid. The Lions, meanwhile, dispatched Tampa Bay. In the AFC, quarterback excellence was on display. Missed kicks also loomed large.

24:00: A look at the career of Joe Mauer, who is on the verge of being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. We'll know for sure on Tuesday.

38:00: A disappointing loss for the Wolves and surprising results for the Wild.

Chip Scoggins on his excellent Chloe Johnson story; Kirk Cousins, Bill Belichick and ... Atlanta? Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three local teams who were in action Thursday, painting a Dennis Green-esque picture. The Wolves, Wild and Gophers men's basketball teams? They are who we thought they were at the start of the year. The Wolves are very good. The Wild and Gophers still have a long way to go.

9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for an in-depth look at the process of reporting his excellent new feature on eighth-grade basketball phenom Chloe Johnson.

37:00: Comments from Kirk Cousins about Bill Belichick and increased talks between Belichick and Atlanta could mean nothing. Or they could mean something.

A rough evaluation of the Vikings' last two draft classes; Randy Johnson on Gophers hockey, football Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand hates to pile on the Vikings (at least that's what he says), but he came across an evaluation recently of the Vikings' rookie classes in 2023 and 2022 and came away with a pretty easy evaluation: The Vikings didn't get nearly enough from their young players either year, and it's a major reason they are falling behind in the NFC North.

12:00: Randy Johnson joins the show to talk about the Gophers men's hockey team, which has some work to do in the next two months in order to make the NCAA field. Plus an update on Gophers football as well.

24:00: Renovations to Williams Arena? + A professional enough effort for the Wolves, another win for Minnesota's PWHL team and a loss for the Gophers women's basketball team.

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