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Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. It's one of the busiest times of the year, with basketball dominating the landscape, so they started with another good Timberwolves win Sunday over the Warriors. From there, the conversation took a lot of twists and turns -- from college basketball to the Twins, Shohei Ohtani's mess, back to high school basketball and eventually college hockey. The Twins open their season Thursday, the same day the Gophers open the NCAA men's hockey tournament against Omaha.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a couple of interesting Day 1 story lines from the NCAA men's basketball tournament as he tries to get himself into college hoops again. Don't show anything other than the Gonzaga game is one key takeaway. 9:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins the show to talk about the team's recent rash of injuries and how they will test Minnesota's pitching depth. Will the Twins be in the market at some point for another proven starter? 30:00: What would it take for the Vikings to move up to various spots at the top of the draft?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand walks listeners through the Star Tribune's story on how a Timberwolves executive allegedly had his hard drive stolen by a disgruntled subordinate. Rand also gets into the Wild's damaging 6-0 loss to the Kings, which put a dent in Minnesota's playoff hopes. 8:00: A conversation with Susan Sheridan Tucker, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling. More than 250,000 Minnesotans are estimated to have a gambling problem, and March is problem gambling awareness month. 39:00: ESPN's story on Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter is another don't-miss read.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft, which has the Vikings taking Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 11. Kiper also suggests the Patriots might be willing to trade down from No. 3, which could put Drake Maye in play for the Vikings -- whom Kiper calls "the most interesting team in this draft" after last week's trade for the No. 23 pick. 8:00: A strong effort by the short-handed Wolves came up short in a key game against Denver. Get used to that sort of tension for the rest of the season. 12:00: Kent Youngblood joins Rand for a look at the NCAA women's basketball tournament, Caitlin Clark and what the Gophers need to do to join the party next season. 30:00: A clutch win for Ben Johnson's Gophers, a rise up the standings by the Wild and more concerns about Twins pitching depth.

Introduction: Anthony Edwards had another transcendent moment Monday with a massive poster dunk that sparked the Wolves to a key win over Utah. With several key Minnesota players injured, Edwards is finding another gear down the stretch this season. Plus host Michael Rand looks at a Twins injury situation that is suddenly very unsettled. 10:00: Star Tribune men's college basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand for a look at the postseason. Need help picking winners in your NCAA bracket? Marcus can help. Also, they talk about former Gophers coaches Dan Monson and Richard Pitino making it to the Big Dance as well as the Gophers' prospects for next season. 32:00: Joshua Dobbs didn't quite cash in; the Wild's goalie situation is getting complicated.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament fields are set, and the men's side has some familiar names from the past. Both Dan Monson and Richard Pitino are coaching in the men's tournament, leading to a discussion of Gophers men's basketball history. Ben Johnson's team, meanwhile, received an invite to the NIT. Reusse gives the Vikings high marks for their moves in free agency so far -- including, most importantly, letting go of Kirk Cousins. Plus a few stray thoughts on the Wolves and college wrestling.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with comments Thursday from Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell, who did their best to dispel the narrative that perhaps they didn't align on whether to keep Kirk Cousins. Also, Rand takes issue with Adofo-Mensah once again saying the Vikings though they could win a Super Bowl with Cousins. If they did, he would still be here. 14:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a look at spring training. Less than two weeks before the start of the season, there are very few roster battles. But there is intrigue all across the team. 31:00: A win and a strong debut for the Wild; a disappointing loss for the Gophers.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand spends the early part of the show on three big takeaways from Kirk Cousins' introductory news conference Wednesday in Atlanta. You'll hear what Cousins was looking for from the Falcons -- which give us a lot of clues about what he wasn't getting in Minnesota. 10:00: Star Tribune editor Jeff Day and sports intern Gavin Dorsey join Rand for an in-depth conversation about Name, Image and Likeness. Both Day and Dorsey are part of the Star Tribune's series on NIL, which is transforming college sports. 44:00: A key Viking is coming back, and the Gophers have a big game on Thursday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was as surprised as many of you to see the Wolves pivot from a 22-point second-quarter deficit at the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday into an 18-point victory. It was an important win for the Wolves, who are still trying to adapt to life without Karl-Anthony Towns while maintaining high seed in the West. The Wild, meanwhile, picked up two points with Kirill Kaprizov continued to shine. But time is running out. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for some Kirk Cousins talk. The two big discussion points: Would the Vikings and Cousins make the same decision in 2018, when Cousins signed as a free agent, if they could do it all over again? And how do the Vikings navigate the draft when everyone knows they need a quarterback? 36:00: Danielle Hunter got a nice payday, and a Jonny Flynn anniversary.

Host Michael Rand spends a bunch of time on all of the major moves by the Vikings since mid-day Monday. Kirk Cousins is gone; Rand talks about Atlanta's absurd offer, praise for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and whether the Falcons ultimately saved the Vikings from themselves. Plus Rand has more on new quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Aaron Jones and more. 18:00: Kent Youngblood joins Rand for a discussion of women's basketball -- everything from the Gophers to Caitlin Clark to the Lynx in 2024. 36:00: Intrigue for the Wild.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at Minnesota sports at a time when so much is happening. Reusse recalls seeing Caitlin Clark more than two years ago, when she was already great but before all the attention, and marvels at where things are now after this weekend's Big Ten Tournament at Target Center. Reusse also talks about his recent column on Lou Nanne, who said this weekend's boys high school hockey tournament will be his last as a broadcaster. Plus Reusse and Rand get into the biggest story. The Vikings seem to be the only team not playing in Minnesota right now, but Kirk Cousins' impending free agency will dominate the day.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand marvels at the Thursday performance of Anthony Edwards, who dominated offensively down the stretch against Indiana and made an incredible game-preserving block in a 113-111 Timberwolves victory. On the same day the Wolves learned Karl-Anthony Towns would be out at least four weeks, it was a huge performance. It was also a reminder of how important it is to have stars -- something we will learn again Friday as Caitlin Clark takes over Target Center. 10:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about what's at stake the rest of this season -- and next year -- for Ben Johnson's team. 27:00: A Wild win, a trade and an unbelievable high school hockey streak continues.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand lauds the Gophers women's basketball team for regrouping and winning its opening round game of the Big Ten Tournament at Target Center. Even though it was just a game featuring the No. 11 and No. 14 seeds, it felt important for a few reasons. The Gophers men, on the other hand, had a bad night when they could least afford it. 8:00: Star Tribune Wolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a long look at the team's late-game offensive woes. The challenge will be even more daunting now that reports have emerged that Karl-Anthony Towns is out indefinitely with a torn meniscus. 35:00: All the things the Vikings need plus a tribute to Lou Nanne.

Introduction: We are days away from knowing which direction the Vikings are headed at quarterback. Conventional wisdom has shifted in recent days to him leaving -- likely to Atlanta -- but host Michael Rand takes a different approach during this unknown time. He talks about how the decision to keep or let go of Cousins will impact Vikings decisionmakers, potentially shifting more of the burden to Kevin O'Connell if Cousins is gone. Plus two big games for Gophers basketball teams on Wednesday. 9:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand to look ahead to Friday's NHL trade deadline. With the Wild hanging onto the fringes of the playoff race but probably starting to look toward the future, which players are candidates to move before the week is over? 30:00: A shootout thriller for Minnesota's PWHL team and the greatest time of the year for boys' hockey.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dissects the Timberwolves' 4-3 home stand, which included a ton of back-to-back games plus wins over the teams they were supposed to beat and losses to all the true contenders. It leaves Minnesota 43-19 with 20 games left -- and still in search of a little more consistency before the playoffs arrive. 8:00: D. Orlando Ledbetter, longtime Falcons beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution joins Rand for a breakdown of Atlanta's quarterback pursuit. With Kirk Cousins approaching free agency next week, Ledbetter says the current Vikings QB will be Atlanta's No. 1 target if he becomes available. Will the Falcons offer more stability than Minnesota? 25:00: Rand connects the dots between the Falcons, Vikings and Broncos QB situations. Could Russell Wilson wind up in Minnesota? 31:00: The end of the road for Josh Donaldson.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports and a look ahead to a busy week. It must be March because Reusse and Rand got into a bunch of topics, including: The Timberwolves' sputtering offense, particularly in late-game situations ... another bad blowout loss for the Gophers women's basketball team ... and Reusse's impressions of the Twins down in Florida. But that wasn't it. They also had a little hockey talk and took a deeper dive into Reusse's burgeoning soccer expertise after attending Saturday's Minnesota United home opener. Come for the sports talk. Stick around for Reusse ripping ... kids doing a spelling bee?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand goes hockey-heavy in the opening segment. The Wild's 6-1 loss at Nashville, which dropped Minnesota eight points behind both the Predators and Kings in the chase for the two Wild Card spots, was very damaging. With just a week until the trade deadline, the Wild's playoff odds are not promising. Plus a college hockey snub and a huge high school hockey upset. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand from Indianapolis, where its been a newsy week for the Vikings at the Scouting Combine. Krammer has good insights into the market for Kirk Cousins and what a potential deal to return to Minnesota might look like. And he tells us which quarterback we should pay particular attention to when it comes to the Vikings and the first round of the draft. 35:00: The Vikings say good-bye to Alexander Mattison; Caitlin Clark announces she is saying good-bye to college basketball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand spends the opening part of the show on the Caitlin Clark phenomenon. The Iowa star had 33 points against Gophers at Williams Arena on Wednesday, breaking the Division I women's basketball scoring record. It was a remarkable performance that underscored Clark's brilliance but also the downward spiral of the Gophers, who lost the game 108-60. Plus thoughts on the men's team's loss at Illinois and the Wolves' win over Memphis in a basketball-heavy first segment. 13:00: A quick switch to hockey as Rand welcomes in Randy Johnson to talk about a big weekend for the Gophers men and women, plus a big game Thursday for the Wild. 27:00: Brian Flores in Year 2 for the Vikings is a big deal.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand retraces the last couple years of Kirk Cousins with the Vikings, all the way to comments from head coach Kevin O'Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at Tuesday's NFL Scouting Combine. The Vikings are saying they want Cousins back, which probably means a multi-year deal with guaranteed money. But if that was true, they also could have signed him a year ago. What changed between then and now? Also, the Vikings just hired a coach who once broke their heart. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins Rand from Florida right after watching Byron Buxton play center field for the first time in 554 days. Buxton's health is always dicey, but he's as happy and healthy as he's been in a long time, Miller reports. Plus other nuggets from Fort Myers. 28:00: The Wolves keep winning and the Wild take a step back.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at Monday's Twins trade from three perspectives. They targeted a player they wanted, Manual Margot, and got him; they got insurance against a Byron Buxton setback right as he is ready to play center field again; and they depleted their 2021 draft class. Plus a quick thought on Minnesota United. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand on a number of subjects. Scoggins will be at Williams Arena on Wednesday to witness the spectacle of Caitlin Clark when Iowa faces the Gophers. What makes her so special? Plus thoughts on the Wolves and later the Vikings. 34:00: Are the Vikings becoming the old Wild?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Reusse is down in Florida for Twins spring training and remains concerned about the team's pitching staff. He and Rand went deep on Joe Pohlad's comments last week about payroll and wondered whether Louie Varland will make the Opening Day roster. The Gophers men's basketball team had been hot from three-point range lately, but they cooled off in a 73-55 loss at Nebraska on Sunday. At 8-8 in the Big Ten, the Gophers still have a lot of work to do to be in NCAA tourney contention. The Gophers women's basketball team, meanwhile, will be the latest to try to slow down Iowa star Caitlin Clark. She'll be at a sold out Williams Arena on Wednesday -- and then back again early next month for the Big Ten Tournament.

Jeff Day of the Star Tribune joins host Michael Rand to discuss his story on Max Exsted, a 16-year-old from Savage who is one of the best junior tennis players in the world. What does it take to be one of the best junior tennis players in the world? Exsted, a teenager from Savage, is traveling the world to find out. You'll learn all about him and his journey on this special weekend episode.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the latest Gophers men's basketball win, a big one Thursday against Ohio State. Ben Johnson is in the conversation for conference coach of the year, and he is preaching process over results. Enough good results, though, could get Minnesota into the NCAA tournament. 8:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand to talk about Minnesota's pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference as the post-break schedule resumes Friday against Milwaukee. Plus they break down the extension for point guard Mike Conley Jr. and look ahead to a complicated summer. 27:00: Rand is wondering about the Twins' pitching staff. Baseball players are wondering about pants.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand took note of Twins executive Joe Pohlad giving an honest interview on WCCO radio earlier this week, when he said the Twins are not in the market for any of the remaining big-ticket MLB free agents. Rand appreciates the candor but doesn't like the message. This team has a lot of momentum from last year. Why close off opportunities to get better? Plus Rand weighs in on La Velle E. Neal's strong column on Gophers baseball and softball at U.S. Bank Stadium. 10:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to give good perspective on Minnesota's improvement and what it means to be a contender to reach the NCAA tournament. Plus a look at some recent lineup changes and some of the best high school dunkers in Minnesota. 32:00: Another way to look at the Vikings and Kirk Cousins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the approved 12-team College Football Playoff format and comes to the conclusion that the landscape of the sport going forward will both help and hurt the Gophers. They will have a harder time competing for a Big Ten title in a loaded conference, but during their truly special seasons they should be able to compete for a playoff spot. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand on a number of subjects, including Minnesota United's head coach search, big-name free agents still available in MLB and how the Vikings can't ignore their defense in free agency. 32:00: Disappointing losses for the Wild and Gophers women's basketball teams.

Introduction: On a jam-packed episode of the podcast, host Michael Rand starts out with the Wild's 10-goal outburst against Vancouver -- the best team in the NHL -- on Monday, which included six goals over a six-minute span from late in the second period to the early part of the third. Minnesota set all sorts of records in the victory, which helped the Wild creep closer to a playoff spot. 6:00: Mike Conley Jr. and the Wolves agreed on a two-year extension, which will solidify the team's future at point guard while muddying the offseason salary picture. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand from Florida to break down the big early spring training stories. The biggest so far seems to be Byron Buxton's health and optimism, both of which are welcome signs for the Twins. 31:00: Minnesota United is closing in on its next head coach, and he's seven years younger than any other head coach in Major League Soccer.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand on Monday's show, which features Reusse remembering some of the best moments -- and biggest changes -- from the first Twins spring training he covered in 1974 until now. The characters make the game, and Reusse has seen a lot of them in the last half-century down in Florida. 26:00: Speeding back to the present, Reusse and Rand get into the Gophers men's basketball team's strong win over Rutgers on Sunday. Aside from a three-minute blip, it was as good as Minnesota can play, Reusse said. 35:00: On the not so bright side, the NBA All-Star Game continues to be a farce. Unless you like final scores of 211-186.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at over-under totals set for Big Ten football teams in 2024 and can't help but be alarmed by where the Gophers are. Long story short: Odds suggest they have the best chance to be the worst team in the league. The Gophers basketball team, meanwhile, missed a chance at an upset in Purdue. 10:00: Star Tribune writer Rachel Blount joins the show for a look at the World Cup cross-country ski event at Wirth Park this weekend. A huge crowd is expected for an event many years in the making -- one that wouldn't be possible without the work of Minnesota's Jessie Diggins. 26:00: The Wolves cruised into the All-Star break with another lopsided win, but things will heat up after the break. ... Caitlin Clark continues to amaze. ... Rob Manfred is speaking Rand's language when it comes to streaming games.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand sees the Wild's four-game post-break winning streak and wonders if they can get this sort of goaltending on a more consistent basis. Their goalie play has been a weak link so far this season, but if it's better down the stretch the playoffs could be in sight. Plus a look at a big day coming for the Wolves on ESPN next week. 9:00: Rand welcomes Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins for some interesting talk about the Vikings and Gophers football teams. It's a big offseason for Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. It could be a big 2024 for head coach Kevin O'Connell. And they get into the P.J. Fleck-to-UCLA rumors and whether O'Connell or Fleck could feel the heat in 2024 if they don't have good seasons. 35:00: Mike Zimmer is introduced in Dallas and sounds happy.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has details on the latest Timberwolves victory, which included a three-point barrage from Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the fourth quarter to put away the Blazers. Minnesota is surging into the All-Star break and looks to have the depth of a true contender. 9:00: Star Tribune Gophers football and men's hockey beat writer Randy Johnson joins Rand for a breakdown of his busy weekend. As the hockey team was earning back-to-back shutouts, Johnson was also chasing down rumblings that P.J. Fleck was a candidate to coach at UCLA. That didn't come to fruition, but Johnson has good details on the process and why Fleck is still at Minnesota. 26:00: An interesting men's Frozen Four stat, a struggling Gophers team and a stray thought about Kevin O'Connell.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand opens with two impressive Minnesota road victories from Monday night. The Wolves dominated the third quarter in winning their Western Conference showdown with the Clippers. The game was also a seamless transition to adding Monte Morris into the rotation, and he helped keep several other players fresh. The Wild, meanwhile, earned a strong win at Vegas. Whether it's too little, too late is still yet to be determined. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins the show to break down the financial implications of a complicated Vikings offseason. It's officially the offseason, and the new league year begins in a month. The clock is ticking on a decision on Kirk Cousins -- and potentially on selecting a new quarterback in the draft. How does that domino impact the salary cap, a Justin Jefferson extension and more? 39:00: The Twins TV deal wasn't exactly what anyone wanted.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, leading of course with Sunday's Super Bowl. Kansas City won 25-22 in overtime over San Francisco, showing again why having the best QB on the planet matters in crucial moments. What did the game tell us about both teams -- and perhaps what did it tell us about the Vikings and Kirk Cousins now that the offseason is officially here. 15:00: Reusse and Rand get into the P.J. Fleck-to-UCLA speculation that perked up and died down over the weekend. Minnesota is actually a better job than UCLA. But why does Fleck's name come up so often when there are coaching vacancies? 26:00: Ben Johnson's Gophers lost a tough in in Iowa, while Reusse gives us a head start on Twins spring training with some early insights from Florida.

Introduction: Heading into Super Bowl weekend, host Michael Rand looks at two NFL stories with Minnesota ties. First, former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is back in the league after a two-year absence. Zimmer reportedly will be the new defensive coordinator in Dallas and will work for former rival head coach Mike McCarthy. Ex-Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, meanwhile, will need to wait at least another year for his Hall of Fame call. He said he was "hugely disappointed and shocked" that he missed the cut again. 8:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins the show to break down the trade for Monte Morris. The upshot: Getting another solid veteran for the rotation was just what the Wolves needed, but it was also about all they could do. Plus you'll hear from Wolves coach Chris Finch on the trade. He talked about Morris after the Wolves routed the Bucks on Thursday. 31:00: MLB is eyeing a future without TV blackouts, but not until 2025.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand noticed Wild fans were annoyed even in a victory on Wednesday night, Minnesota's first game back after a long All-Star break. The effort was underwhelming in a 2-1 win over the bottom-dwelling Blackhawks, and the fan sentiment seems to be an understanding that this team is going nowhere. 6:00: Rand has thoughts on the Wolves' trade for Monte Morris. He likes the deal, but he wishes the Wolves could take an even bigger deadline swing. 12:00: Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison joins the show ahead of the Super Bowl. What did Addison think of his rookie year? What goals does he have? And most importantly, what does he think of quarterback Kirk Cousins? 23:00: Rand runs through some listener questions about the NFL Draft, while the Twins officially welcomed in Carlos Santana.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand spends the opening part of the show on two big basketball games from Tuesday. The Gophers men's basketball team scored a big win over Michigan State, improving to 6-5 in the conference and giving legitimacy to the idea that they could make the NCAA tournament thi season. The Wolves, meanwhile, blew a double-digit fourth quarter lead in a defeat for the fourth time in their last 10 games. 11:00: The Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda joins Rand for an update on Minnesota United. With just over two weeks to go until the start of the MLS regular season, the Loons still don't have a permanent head coach in place. How much will that hamper a team that is making a transition in style and leadership this season? At least United fans have this: Zgoda says whatever chaos exists is nowhere near the level of dysfunction he used to witness when covering the David Kahn-era Timberwolves. 27:00: Is Aaron Rodgers the most popular NFL player in Minnesota? And what will a new streaming platform mean to the world of sports?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand thinks we need to refocus if we're thinking about the Vikings taking a quarterback in the draft. Move your eyes away from the first round and toward their No. 42 overall pick in the second round. That's where the value -- and their future QB -- might be. 7:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand to talk about a number of subjects, including: the signing of Carlos Santana; the news that the Twins will be on Bally Sports North in 2024; and the continued ownership of the Pohlad family. 30:00: The 49ers complaining about their Super Bowl practice field brings up a Vikings memory. Also, should Creed get the blame for the Vikings' nosedive this year?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, starting with basketball. The Wolves are 35-15 after 50 games, and head coach Chris Finch will be the coach for the Western Conference in the All-Star game. That's quite an accomplishment for all involved. 15:00: The Twins are staying on Bally Sports North for the 2024 season. What does that mean for their future -- and what do we think of the on-field moves they have made so far? 29:00: Mark Coyle got an extension. The Gophers men's basketball team won in overtime over Northwestern. Bob Motzko was mad on Saturday. And Reusse embraces Taylor Swift.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gives a long head nod to Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves big man was named an All-Star for the fourth time in his career on Thursday, an honor that perhaps means more this time after all he has been through in the last 18 months. Given that Rand was convinced KAT needed to be traded before the start of the season, an acknowledgment of Towns' terrific season is in order. 7:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about Saturday's big game against Northwestern, the emergence of Parker Fox and the new Big Ten Tournament format. He also gets into some St. Thomas basketball talk. 27:00: Jim Harbaugh wants to live in an RV for a while; Rand runs through some listener comments, including one Lions fan who was VERY upset about Monday's show.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand tries to compare Wednesday's record high temperatures to that night's blowout Wolves win over a shorthanded Mavericks team. He also takes a look at the chances of three Wolves to be named all-stars tonight, plus two big Lynx moves and another tough loss for the Gophers women's basketball team. 11:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a look at the offseason. Derek Falvey made his first big winter move earlier this week by trading Jorge Polanco. Nightengale dissects the deal -- and spins forward to what else is on the Twins' offseason to-do list. 30:00: Are the Twins doing enough?

Host Michael Rand gets swept up by NFL quarterback talk in late January, showing again the power of the league. He tries to get a baseline for the free agent market on Kirk Cousins, who figures to be the most coveted QB potentially available via that route. Which teams could afford him? How many teams flat-out need quarterbacks? How does the draft order affect the Vikings and everyone else? 10:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand on three subjects: The Wolves' big win over Oklahoma City (and what they still might need before the trade deadline); the Jorge Polanco trade; and an underrated Vikings offseason storyline. 33:00: Officials missed a clear foul on an Anthony Edwards dunk Monday against Oklahoma City. When given a chance to own up to the mistake, the NBA botched it again.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.