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Patrick Reusse on Gophers basketball downward spiral, Kaprizov's excellence and KAT's absence Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another letdown by the Timberwolves, a natural hat trick for Kirill Kaprizov and more bad news for the Gophers men's basketball team.

With a difficult schedule ahead, Reusse and Rand decide the Wolves won't even make the play-in, and they speculate on Karl-Anthony Towns' future. Meanwhile, Kaprizov saved the Wild on Sunday and has them in contention not just for a playoff spot but a division title.

And with the loss of top recruit Dennis Evans, where do Ben Johnson's Gophers go from here?

Special Delivery: Five star recruit Dennis Evans backs out of Gophers commitment Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Host Michael Rand and Gophers basketball writer Marcus Fuller hop on for a special edition of the podcast in the wake of Friday's news -- broken by Fuller -- that five-star recruit Dennis Evans has asked to be released from his National Letter of Intent. Why did Evans make that decision, what is the impact on the Gophers and where do they go from here?

Minnesota United's Adrian Heath on Emanuel Reynoso, season outlook; When will KAT play? Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand saw the Timberwolves injury report to star the post-break schedule and shook his head at Karl-Anthony Towns still being listed as "out" with his calf strain. It's been almost 13 weeks since he injured the calf. We need some transparency soon because right now incomplete information about his injury is inviting speculation. ... Plus a good win for the Wild and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and another interesting trade.

9:00: Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath joins Rand ahead of the Loons' MLS season opener Saturday in Dallas. They discuss the ongoing absence of Emanuel Reynoso and the outlook for the season ahead.

28:00: The transfer portal claims another Gophers defensive back.

Over-unders with La Velle E. Neal III: Kirk Cousins, Byron Buxton and more Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand lays out three things he wants clarity on as the Wolves get set to resume play after the All-Star break on Friday. The big one: When (or if) Karl-Anthony Towns is returning from his calf injury.

6:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand as they both offer predictions on how many games Byron Buxton will play in the outfield, how many more years Kirk Cousins will be the Vikings' quarterback and more.

31:00: Dalvin Tomlinson might have a good chance of staying with the Vikings, after all.

Who will stay and go on Vikings defense? + Three big Wild takeaways and Clem Haskins' truth Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand identifies three big takeaways from the Wild's recent homestand, which concluded with a 2-1 win over the Kings on Tuesday. Ryan Hartman's re-emergence and Filip Gustavsson's ascent were major keys.

9:00: Clem Haskins unlocked the key to modern coaching.

13:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a breakdown of the Vikings' defensive outlook -- and needs -- under new coordinator Brian Flores.

30:00: The ongoing Emanuel Reynoso saga.

High school sports transfers 'out of control'; Red McCombs' legacy; Jerry Kill's giant tattoo Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand loosely ties together three very different stories under the broad umbrella of "football personalities," taking note of the Monday death at age 95 of former Vikings owner Red McCombs and trying to define McCombs' legacy. Plus Jerry Kill has a permanent reminder of his 2022 New Mexico State team and new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon considers Mike Zimmer a "mentor."

11:00: Star Tribune high school sports reporter Ron Haggstrom joins Rand for a look at his recent reporting on transfers and how they are impacting prep sports -- and particularly high-level boys' basketball in Minnesota.

27:00: Patrick Beverley is going home, but not to the Wolves; the Gophers men's basketball team takes another familiar L.

Patrick Reusse on NBA players resting, the Twins' 2023 outlook and more Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, starting with a conversation about when Anthony Edwards' concept of trying to play every game became such a novel idea in the NBA.

Plus Reusse and Rand have some optimism for the 2023 Twins as the full squad prepares for spring workouts and their first game Saturday. This is very much a wait-and-see team, but the pieces are there for a successful season.

And some Gophers basketball thoughts -- followed by one big Reusse hockey take.

Five takeaways from Brian Flores' news conference; Gophers hockey excels; Wolves struggle late Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Host Michael Rand pulls out five key quotes from Brian Flores' introductory news conference as defensive coordinator with the Vikings and tries to add context.

11:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand for a breakdown of the Big Ten champion Gophers men's hockey team. Do they have what it takes to win it all?

21:00: The Wolves blew a 20-point lead and revealed a late-game offensive problem.

Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert connection; Wild lack talent; Diamond Sports skips payment Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Wednesday's 3-2 Wild loss to Colorado wasn't for a lack of effort or shot attempts, as Minnesota piled up 43 to just 19 for Colorado. But it did illustrate again an alarming lack of offensive capability, one that will need to be addressed before the trade deadline.

7:00: Host Michael Rand is joined by Timberwolves podcaster Dane Moore (The Dane Moore NBA Podcast) for an early look at what is meshing between Mike Conley Jr. and his new Wolves teammates (particularly Rudy Gobert). How do the Wolves fit into the evolving Western Conference landscape?

32:00: Moore vents frustration about Bally Sports North; both he and Rand dissect Wednesday's news that Diamond Sports is skipping a $140 million interest payment.

Phil Miller on the Twins from Ft. Myers; Vikings mock draft; Life without Reynoso Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand runs through three items that caught his eye in the last 24 hours. An ESPN mock draft has the Vikings taking a wide receiver No. 23 overall, which doesn't seem like a bad idea. The QB carousel is about to spin again in the NFL. And Minnesota United is preparing for life without Emanuel Reynoso.

7:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins Rand for an early look at spring training. Ft. Myers is not the same place you remember five months after the hurricane. Plus on-field story lines, including what will Max Kepler's role be?

29:00: As the Wild struggle to score goals, their play in net becomes even more important.

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