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Ben Goessling on the Vikings' long-term QB plan; Wild lacks killer instinct May 02, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand tried to find a common thread in the Wild's lack of first-round postseason success. Sometimes it's a lack of scoring. Sometimes it's goaltending. Sometimes it's special teams that have doomed them in the last seven playoff appearances. But one common thread: A failure to take advantage of momentum within a series.

7:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand to talk through a lot of the questions that persist even after the draft. What's the long-term plan at quarterback after the draft failed to yield Kirk Cousins' obvious successor? How will first-round wide receiver Jordan Addison help the offense? What comes next for Dalvin Cook and Za'Darius Smith?

37:00: Another perspective on Karl-Anthony Towns.

Patrick Reusse on the Wild's rut, the Wolves' future and the Twins' success May 01, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for an evaluation of the state of Minnesota sports.

In the always volatile NHL playoffs, which this year has already included massive upsets, the Wild have remained a constant with their postseason futility. How do we explain seven straight postseason exits without advancing, which has spanned multiple GMs and coaches? And will this year's defeat be enough to turn fans away?

The Wolves, meanwhile, head into this offseason with some potential. But these playoffs have also been constant reminders of the failures (sorry Giannis) of their past.

And the Twins look like the best team in the AL Central, even with recent starting pitching injuries.

Underwhelming first round for Vikings; Wild on the brink; Is this really the Wolves' plan? Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand doesn't have a quibble with the Vikings taking WR Jordan Addison at No. 23, but he was nevertheless underwhelmed by what happened in the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft. Part of that is driven by expectations the Vikings created by putting an end date on the Kirk Cousins era and showing interest in drafting a quarterback. Part of it was an inability to accumulate more picks once it became clear that drafting a QB wasn't in the cards.

8:00: The Wolves say they are going to essentially run it back next year. But is that really the plan?

13:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand in advance of Friday's Game 6. Poor penalty killing and a lack of production from their star players have the Wild on the brink of elimination. But they also have a big opportunity Friday at Xcel Energy Center.

35:00: The Twins look like the best team in the AL Central, but pitching injuries are a concern.

Making the case for a Karl-Anthony Towns trade; Vikings create draft expectations Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand makes it clear -- it's all about the quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers was introduced Wednesday by the Jets and immediately started talking about adding to both the Jets' legacy, and perhaps unintentionally his own. The Vikings, meanwhile, might draft a quarterback Thursday night. Just the fact that it's a possibility adds a level of intrigue to this year's draft.

8:00: Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a breakdown of the season, which ended Tuesday in Denver. The big question this offseason is whether to make major changes after a disappointing year or to try to run it back with the same core. For multiple reasons, including future salary cap constraints, Rand lays out the case for a Karl-Anthony Towns trade.

35:00: Immaturity from Anthony Edwards, Thibs vs. Jimmy in the East, staying up late (again) for the Wild.

Chip Scoggins on the Wild's penalty problem, missed chance for Wolves; Twins dominate Yankees Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the good news on a rough sports night, noting that the Twins won the season series against the Yankees for the first time in 22 years. That's an almost unfathomable amount of time, but maybe breaking that streak signals a bigger shift for the Twins.

7:00: A season of missed opportunities is over for the Wolves, leaving a lot of questions about the future.

12:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a breakdown of the Wild's big problem: If they can't kill penalties, they need to change their strategy. Because it has them on the brink of elimination. Scoggins and Rand also get into what the Wolves should do this offseason.

32:00: A Bill Guerin quote from August feels like foreshadowing now.

Nemesis day: Aaron Rodgers, Yankees, Jimmy Butler and more Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the finally completed Aaron Rodgers trade through a personal lens. While he used to respect and like Rodgers, the sentiment changed a few years ago. How Rand feels about Rodgers could explain a lot of what went wrong between the Packers QB and his now former team. Plus the Twins beat the Yankees again, part of an encouraging start to the year against top teams.

12:00: Randy Johnson joins the show to talk about the Wild's pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Gophers football team's spring game and the upcoming NFL Draft.

30:00: Will Hendon Hooker be available at No. 23? ... Jimmy Butler goes off for 56 points and has the Bucks on the brink of elimination ... Can the Wolves make up for another key absence in Game 5?

Patrick Reusse on his Sunday adventure: Winning Wolves, whining Wild and welcome Twins Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at a whirlwind Sunday in Minnesota sports.

Reusse took in at least parts of three games Sunday: Twins in the afternoon, followed by Wild Game 4 in the early evening and Wolves Game 4 late at night.

The Wild missed a chance to take a 3-1 series lead in a 3-2 loss to Dallas. The Wild didn't like two penalties called on Marcus Foligno that led to goals. Reusse didn't like the Wild's penalty kill.

And the Wolves mustered up a playoff-worthy effort to stave off elimination even after blowing a 12-point lead late in regulation.

Inside the NFL mock draft process; The thing the Wild, Wolves must do Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand identifies the keys for the Wild and Wolves, who face critical Game 3s Friday back in Minnesota after disappointing playoff losses Wednesday. For the Wild, it's simple: Get back to the style of play that made the successful and stop being overthinking goalie decisions. For the Wolves, they need to lean into lineups that work -- even if it means pushing aside the struggling Karl-Anthony Towns.

8:00: The Athletic's Nate Tice, an NFL writer and podcaster, joins Rand for an inside look at the process of preparing for the next week's draft. Why do mock drafts change so much? What are evaluators looking at? And what will the Vikings do at No. 23? Plus Tice, the son of former Vikings coach Mike Tice, tells some great stories from that era.

35:00: The Twins pitching depth is about to be tested.

Playoff drama: Wild's goalie blunder, Ant's brilliance, KAT's no-show and more Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune Chip Scoggins in the immediate aftermath of two huge playoff games for Minnesota teams on Wednesday.

1:00: What were the Wild thinking in choosing Marc-Andre Fleury in goal after a brilliant regular season and Game 1 performance from Filip Gustavsson? Dean Evason invited a lot of second-guessing before the puck dropped, and it was only exacerbated in a 7-3 loss to Dallas.

12:00: The Wolves, meanwhile, looked like they were going to get blown out for a second straight game before rallying to take a lead going into the fourth quarter. They ultimately lost 122-113 despite Anthony Edwards' 41 points and in part because of more playoff struggles from Karl-Anthony Towns.

23:00: Hear from Evason on the goalie decision and Wolves head coach Chris Finch on trying to get more from Towns.

28:00: Hey, at least the Twins won and scored a lot of runs.

Sarah McLellan on the Wild before Game 2; Twins can't score; QB intiruge Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand checks in on the Twins after a 5-4, 10 inning loss in Boston on Tuesday. The news has been mostly positive for the 10-7 Twins, but they have been carried predominantly by pitching. Rand fears that the offensive woes -- No. 25 in slugging, No. 26 in batting average in the majors -- might eclipse the excellence of the pitching soon. Plus a look ahead to Game 2 of Wolves at Nuggets.

9:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand in advance of Game 2 at Dallas on Wednesday. After a 3-2, double overtime thriller gave the Wild a 1-0 series lead, what can we expect as they try to take control of the series? And how did playoff newcomers like Brock Faber stay so composed in Game 1?

30:00: The 49ers QB situation is worth watching.

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