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Chris Hine on the Wolves + surprise Vikings move + big Gophers win Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was surprised free agent corner Duke Shelley signed with the Raiders, particularly if it meant the Vikings didn't do more to try to keep him. In a decent sample size, he was the team's best cover corner last season, and the Vikings can use all the help they can get in the secondary. Plus a recap of the Gophers men's hockey team's 9-2 win and the Big Ten's ongoing struggle in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

7:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine helps break down Wednesday's return of Karl-Anthony Towns and what it meant in the big picture. With eight games left in the regular season, Hine and Rand try to decide how many wins it will take to get the Wolves into the postseason.

32:00: The Wild got a point, but it should have been two.

KAT's return, Gophers hockey revival, listener questions and negative Vikings fans Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Karl-Anthony Towns couldn't have scripted his return much better than what transpired Wednesday. After missing more than 50 games, he returned to an ovation at Target Center -- and later made the game-winning free throws with three seconds left in a 125-124 win over Atlanta. Is the mystery and cynicism over his absence forgotten?

8:00: Former Gophers men's hockey player Casey Hankinson joins Michael Rand for a look at the revival of that program and just how much fun this season has been. The Gophers play Canisius on Thursday in the NCAA tournament opener.

23:00: One report suggests Vikings fans have been -- by far -- the most negative base in the NFL during free agency. And it's time to check my social media for listener questions.

29:00: A big signing for the Loons.

La Velle E. Neal on Top 10 Twins prospects; A quarterback to the Vikings at No. 23? Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some appreciation of Wild forward Matt Boldy, who has six goals and four assists in six games since Kirill Kaprizov's injury -- including the game-winning goal with barely any time left in overtime against New Jersey on Tuesday. Plus, is this the night that Karl-Anthony Towns returns for the Wolves?

7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for an update from Twins spring training. Neal gives an in-depth look at his Top 10 Twins minor league prospects list.

32:00: Hendon Hooker, the Tennessee quarterback, is projected to be taken No. 23 overall by the Vikings in one recent mock draft.

In-depth with U women's coach Dawn Plitzuweit; Wolves win, KAT close? Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand cautioned on Monday's show not to write off the Wolves, and he was proven correct just hours later when a short-handed squad -- still missing Karl-Anthony Towns and now also Anthony Edwards -- defeated the Knicks 140-134. We also learned some contradictory information about Towns, but more importantly that he's very close to returning.

9:00: Rand goes in-depth on the hire of Gophers women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit. You'll hear from Plitzuweit, AD Mark Coyle, Star Tribune writer Kent Youngblood, Gophers standout Mara Braun and all-time great Rachel Banham.

33:00: The Vikings' plan feels incomplete at the moment.

Anthony Edwards' injury, new Gophers coach, U hockey's return to glory Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse take a trip through the weekend in sports, which included two losses for the Timberwolves and an ankle sprain for star Anthony Edwards. With just 10 games left in the regular season, time is running out for the depleted Wolves.

12:00: The Gophers men's hockey team lost the Big Ten title game to Michigan, but Reusse still thinks this is a team -- as the No. 1 overall NCAA tournament seed -- that has a great chance to win the program's first national title in 20 years.

19:00: The Gophers hired Dawn Plitzuweit to coach the women's basketball team and will introduce her at a news conference today. Plus thoughts on the transfer portal, the Wild and the Twins.

Big Friday for Vikings; warm St. Patrick's Day hockey memories; in praise of the Wild Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand runs through all the amazing things about the Wild's 14-game point streak, which has spanned a roster overhaul, an injury to Kirill Kaprizov and several different types of wins. Through it all, the Wild are now in great shape to win the Central Division.

7:00: The Vikings had a busy Thursday, but Friday figures to be even more interesting.

11:00: Take a trip down hockey memory lane back to 2012 and the spectacular 80 degree day in St. Paul for St. Patrick's Day, the WCHA Final Five and the Wild.

26:00: Transfer portal news for the Gophers.

Wild outburst, Wolves frustration, Aaron Rodgers professes his love for Jets, Gophers women's hockey sendoff Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

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Introduction: Host Michael Rand hits on a number of topics, including Aaron Rodgers clearing the air (sort of) about his future with the Jets and his past with Packers and the Vikings retaining running back Alexander Mattison.

16:00: Let's focus in on Gophers women's hockey in advance of the Frozen Four.

22:00: The Wolves were left frustrated by a loss, Rand is left frustrated by Karl-Anthony Towns and the Wild won a throwback game.

Three smart Vikings moves; Diamond Sports bankruptcy; Are Twins loaded with depth? Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

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Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at three moves the Vikings made Tuesday that he thinks were very smart: signing a shutdown corner, creating cap space with Kirk Cousins without doing a contract extension, and keeping their kicking game intact for 2023.

10:00: Twins beat writer Phil Miller checks in from Florida, where the Twins are showing themselves to have quite a bit of pitching depth. The lineup might come down to health, but there are some encouraging signs there as well with Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco.

36:00: What does the Diamond Sports bankruptcy mean for local fans?

'Competitive rebuild' for Vikings is two different years; inside the journey to the boys' hockey tourney Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

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Introduction: The Vikings are making some necessary and hard choices this offseason to get younger and shed salary with an eye toward the future. But in losing key players like Adam Thielen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Eric Kendricks and Patrick Peterson (so far), it sure looks like we are very much into the "rebuild" part of the "competitive rebuild" philosophy brought in a year ago. Also, does the signing of a blocking tight end Monday signal a shift in the running game?

9:00: Host Michael Rand is joined by Chip Scoggins and Carlos Gonzalez of the Star Tribune for a behind-the-scenes look at how they told the story of Maple Grove's journey to the boys' hockey state tournament.

29:00: A much-needed win for the Wolves and two departures for the Gophers men's basketball team.

Patrick Reusse on Bud Grant's life and legacy Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a remembrance of Bud Grant, the legendary Vikings coach who died Saturday at age 95.

From Grant's stoic sideline nature to his friendship with Sid Hartman to his sustained relevance late in life, Reusse and Rand go on a journey.

Reusse has no shortage of Grant stories, though he does have a regret: missing a recent chance to hear a few more.

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