StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts the show with the NBA playoffs and two very different thoughts off of Monday's games. He watched the Heat take down the Knicks to take a 3-1 series lead and wondered, as he wrote Monday, whether a Knicks exit could stir up a Karl-Anthony Towns trade market. The nightcap was just a chance to marvel at two aging legends, Stephen Curry and LeBron James, try to will OK teams into the Western Conference Finals. 9:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins Rand with a bunch of interesting news and tidbits, including: Carlos Correa helping to convince Byron Buxton to be a full-time DH; Royce Lewis is ahead of schedule on his injury rehab; with many Twins slumping, who is a candidate to break out and who should we be worried about? And just how exceptional is this Twins starting pitching? 32:00: Emanuel Reynoso is back with Minnesota United, but what will that mean?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at the weekend in sports. The Twins had just 28 hits on a six-game road trip against AL Central foes Chicago and Cleveland. They're still in first place, but the gap between their excellent pitching and suspect hitting continues to get wider. Reusse reacts to the lack of firm commitment from Wolves boss Tim Connelly, worries about his pal Tom Thibodeau's Knicks and notes Seattle's scoring outburst against Dallas. And a finish with a high note: Gophers softball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was struck recently by a podcast featuring Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce talking about the Timberwolves. In particular, KG's assessment of the franchise -- everything from big-picture Minneapolis issues to Anthony Edwards to small details -- was a fresh perspective worth our attention. 10:00: Local soccer writer and podcaster Jon Marthaler joined the show to talk about Minnesota United and their ongoing inability to score. Their identity is clearly built around defense, but until they resolve the Emanuel Reynoso situation the offense is stuck in the mud. 27:00: If you're tired of Vikings QB talk, I have bad news. We have a full year of speculation ahead of us given Kirk Cousins' contract situation.

Introduction: In a Vikings-heavy show, host Michael Rand starts with the first public comments in a while form Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. He is set to be a free agent after this season and the Vikings were interested in taking a QB in the draft. It all sets up an interesting 2023 season for Cousins, but it's a situation he and the Vikings should be able to navigate. 13:00: Former Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen joins Rand and reiterates that he wishes he could still be in Minnesota but that a fresh start in Carolina was probably for the best. Thielen addresses why his fit in Kevin O'Connell's offense wasn't ideal and expresses confidence in the receives still here. 27:00: White Sox reliever relishes striking out "cheater" Carlos Correa; Gophers women's basketball gets two players in one day.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand listened to Wild GM Bill Guerin's end of year comments about the progress the team made and actually agreed with a lot of the optimism for the future. Rand feels much better about the Wild's trajectory than that of the Wolves over the next five years. 14:00: Lynx forward Aerial Powers joins Rand for a look ahead to the season. Powers, one of the veterans on the Lynx, will be tasked with helping lead a turnaround after the Lynx missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons a year ago. 26:00: Final thoughts on the Twins, the suddenly vulnerable Dallas Stars and the NBA playoffs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Part II of Tuesday's podcast, host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine for a look back at Sunday's disappointing 109-80 loss to the Nuggets and a look ahead to Game 2 of the playoff series on Wednesday. The Wolves clearly need to make some offensive adjustments and figure out their identity if they are going to be competitive, but how possible is that given their physical and structural limitations? And if this is a short series, what might that foreshadow for the offseason?

Introduction: With so much going on in Minnesota sports, host Michael Rand decided to split Tuesday's content into two episodes. But he still started with the biggest story, of course: The Wild's 3-2 double overtime win late, late late against Dallas on Monday (technically Tuesday). A team that rebuilt its style to perform better in the postseason was rewarded in a big way in Game 1. 13:00: There are some key faces missing from Vikings workouts this week, including Danielle Hunter and Dalvin Cook. What does that mean for the days leading up to the draft? 17:00: The Twins made a huge investment in Pablo Lopez, and a Minnesota woman finished fifth in the Boston Marathon.

Host Michael Rand was joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look at a busy stretch in Minnesota sports. The Wolves were clobbered 109-80 in their playoff opener late Sunday, and Reusse saw it coming. He turned it off midway through the second quarter, sparing himself some of the worst of it and adding a little extra sleep. Minnesota looked tired and lifeless. Can they be more competitive in Game 2 on Wednesday? They'll be joined Monday by the Wild, who open their series at Dallas. Reusse confesses that he has a hard time generating big opinions about hockey. Plus thoughts on the Twins and the American League after a split with the Yankees.

Host Michael Rand went late, late, late with a special edition of the podcast after a 120-95 victory by Timberwolves over Oklahoma City in Friday's win-or-go-home play-in game at Target Center. What it means: The Wolves are in the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003 and 2004; they will open their series Sunday in Denver while the Wild opens Monday in Dallas, but Games 2-5 of both series will be on the same nights. Next weekend, with two home playoff games for each team and a home series for the Twins, will be quite the spectacle. How they did it: Three big decisions by Chris Finch, excellence from surprise starter Nickeil Alexander-Walker, savvy from veteran Mike Conley and controlled excellence from both Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes that pretty much everything has been settled regarding the NBA and NHL playoffs -- unless you live in Minnesota. The Wild and Wolves still don't know their playoff fate heading into Friday night. Will the Wolves get in? And who will the Wild play? The answer could lead to Colorado in both cases. Plus the Twins scored nine runs in the first inning at Yankee Stadium. 11:00: Star Tribune outdoors writer and editor Bob Timmons joins Rand for an exploration of his piece on Minnesotans returning to run the Boston Marathon on Monday -- a race that comes 10 years after the tragic bombing. 27:00: Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell offered some interesting perspectives on quarterback evaluation.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand headed to Target Field for the first time this season on Wednesday to take in some baseball and to more accurately feel the impact of the pace of play rules implemented this season. What he found wasn't unexpected -- a crisper, faster game -- and it reinforced that he will be back sooner rather than later. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a look at the Wolves and Wild. The Wolves are now in a must-win game Friday against Oklahoma City, while the Wild are limping into the playoffs with injuries mounting. 28:00: A Gophers team had to cancel the rest of its season.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand walks listeners through the disappointment of the Timberwolves' 108-102 overtime loss to the Lakers in Tuesday's play-in game. Even if they came in shorthanded -- by their own doing, mostly -- the game was there to take. But they squandered a 15-point lead and now face the possibility of elimination on Friday. 11:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for an update on the Vikings. We're still waiting for clarity on Dalvin Cook and Za'Darius Smith, but perhaps the draft in two weeks will spur some action and bring some roster balance. 30:00: Pablo Lopez continues to shine for the Twins, while the Wild's playoff seed has been determined.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at what the Lynx were able to do with the No. 2 overall pick and four more choices in Monday's WNBA Draft. Combined with comments about the roster from head coach/President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve, a new era seems on the way. 7:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand after an eventful 48 hours. Rudy Gobert took a swing at Kyle Anderson and is suspended for Tuesday's play-in game against the Lakers. Jaden McDaniels punched a wall and broke bones in his hand. What is the impact on both the present and the future of the organization? 33:00: Brock Faber made a strong Wild debut, while the Twins are missing Carlos Correa.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at an extremely eventful weekend in sports. They of course started with the Timberwolves' dramatic Game 82 on Sunday, which included Rudy Gobert taking a swing at teammate Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels taking a swing at a wall and the Wolves surviving to win and get a spot as the No. 8 seed in the play-in tournament. It wouldn't be the Wolves if there wasn't drama, but bigger questions loom. Plus: The Gophers were outplayed by Quinnipiac over the final 40 minutes Saturday, even if we want to put the blame elsewhere. And Reusse finds faster games and cheap tickets leading to a Target Field resurgence.

The top-seeded Gophers men's hockey team led 2-0 midway through the national championship game Saturday against Quinnipiac and was poised to capture its first title in 20 years. But then everything changed, as host Michael Rand and Star Tribune Gophers writer Randy Johnson talk about. Minnesota couldn't sustain offense and tried to hang on for dear life. A late goal tied it and a very fast overtime winner -- just 10 seconds in -- sealed the Gophers' fate in a 3-2 overtime loss that will sting for a long time. You'll also hear postgame audio from a deflated head coach Bob Motzko.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched Thursday's NCAA men's hockey semifinal between the Gophers and Boston University through the lens of a fatalistic Minnesota sports viewer. It seemed like one of those games where everything was stacking up against a local team ... right up until the third period, when the Gophers pulled away for a 6-2 victory that has them on the brink of their first national title in 20 years. 7:00: Phil Miller joins Rand ahead of Friday's home opener for the Twins. Their starting pitching has allowed just four runs in six games. Was that the competition, is the rotation just that good, or is there some combination of both at play? 24:00: Jim Souhan checks in from The Masters, where a ton of top contenders went low on Thursday but could face challenges over the weekend. 32:00: Jamison Battle to Ohio State.

Introduction: Diamond Sports missed a payment to the Twins at the start of the season for the right to show games on Bally Sports North. As a result, Major League Baseball reportedly filed a temporary injunction in Diamond's bankruptcy case that would force either payment to the Twins by April 13 or allow the league to take over broadcasts. It's all part of an escalation that could usher in a new era of baseball on TV. 6:00: Jim Souhan joins host Michael Rand from Augusta where a very intriguing Masters is about to begin. 16:00: La Velle E. Neal III has a lot of opinions about the Twins, Timberwolves and Vikings' quarterback situation. 42:00: How soon will Kirill Kaprizov be back with the Wild?

Host Michael Rand notes at the top of the show the latest twist in a bizarre Timberwolves season. After losing to a tanking Portland team on Sunday at home, the Wolves went on the road and beat a good Nets team. That win gave the Wolves new life in the playoff race and clinched at least a spot in the play-in tournament. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan joins Rand from Augusta where competing tours are colliding at The Masters. 13:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan talks through three big questions for the Wild: When will Kirill Kaprizov return, can the Wild win the Central Division and who will start in net when the playoffs start? 36:00: Caitlin Clark, the best women's college basketball player and the voice of reason.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the disappointing Timberwolves season (so far) and tries to discern where to direct the blame. He settles on four key people: GM Tim Connelly, head coach Chris Finch and big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. 14:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand in advance of the Frozen Four, where the No. 1 overall seed Gophers are trying to win their first NCAA title in 20 years. 26:00: The Wild clinched a playoff spot but lost ground in the division race; the Twins are 4-0 and looking like a legitimate threat.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Included in the mix: *An all-time bad loss by the Timberwolves to the Blazers, which severely damaged Minnesota's playoff hopes and raises new questions about the offseason. *The Twins starting 3-0 -- in three crisp and brisk games. *A tremendous women's basketball Final Four.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gives gratitude on MLB's opening day for the pace of play changes made in the offseason. As a longtime baseball fan, Rand says he is far more likely to attend a game this year than in recent seasons. 4:00: Musician and NBA writer Clarie De Lune joins Rand for a breakdown of the Lakers ahead of Friday's huge game against the Wolves at Target Center. It's as fun an NBA season as any in recent memory, and plenty of twists are yet to come. 29:00: Rand runs down the playoff chances for local teams, which might surprise you.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand makes a run through two very important games Wednesday that had two very different outcomes. The Wild fended off the Avalanche 4-2 to stay in first place in the Central Division. Meanwhile, the Wolves were left fuming after a 107-100 loss to Phoenix -- with Rudy Gobert going off on perceived favoritism he sees with officiating. 9:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand on a number of subjects: The Twins' pitching plan, the Vikings' offseason and the Gophers football team's departures in the transfer portal. 33:00: Bally Sports North has lost more than half its subscribers in the last decade.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand is still trying to discern the Vikings' offseason plan. It's late March, still several months from the start of the season. There is another wave of free agency and the draft to come. New players will obviously be added. But the overall vision of trying to rebuild while being competitive seems a lot muddier than it should be. 8:00: Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins Rand for an in-depth look at the Twins. With the season opener coming Thursday in Kansas City, there is considerable optimism. Projections suggest the Twins are a likely playoff team, and Miller says starting pitching depth is the big reason why. 31:00: Hear from Twins President Dave St. Peter on ballpark enhancements; Rand notes the impact of Mike Conley Jr. on the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand recaps Monday's big wins for the Wolves and Wild over Sacramento and Seattle, respectively. The Wolves are now in sixth place in the West and the Wild are first in the Central Division. How both teams have been winning is impressive, but there is a lot of work ahead -- including more big games for both on Wednesday. 10:00: Star Tribune men's college basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about the wild NCAA men's basketball tournament, your (likely) busted bracket, the Gophers' ongoing attempts to rebuild their roster and highlights from the boys' high school basketball tournament. 29:00: Lamar Jackson wants a trade, Packers GM fires back at Aaron Rodgers and La Velle E. Neal has a big (optimistic) Twins opinion.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Reusse made the trek to Fargo, N.D., for the men's hockey region final and saw the Gophers fend off St. Cloud State in a 4-1 victory for a berth in the Frozen Four. The depth, talent and determination of this year's Gophers team told the story. 12:00: The Timberwolves earned a big win over the Warriors on Sunday, with Karl-Anthony Towns supplying the clutch points in the closing minutes. The Wolves are over .500 again and have a legitimate chance at a top-6 seed in the West. Meanwhile, the Wild are in first place in the Central Division heading into the final stretch of games. 29:00: Twins pitcher Sonny Gray is not content to pitch five innings and doesn't think a lot of the other pitchers in the rotation are, either.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you have two minutes to spare, dear listeners, please use them to fill out this Daily Delivery survey: https://forms.gle/bKYgzAXct842LFaG8 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.

If you have two minutes to spare, dear listeners, please use them to fill out this Daily Delivery survey. https://forms.gle/bKYgzAXct842LFaG8 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?

If you have two minutes to spare, dear listeners, please use them to fill out this Daily Delivery survey. 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.

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.

If you have two minutes to spare, dear listeners, please use them to fill out this Daily Delivery survey. Introduction: In a jam-packed episode, host Michael Rand can't help but notice that it took the Minnesota Wild less than 24 hours to do what the Timberwolves haven't been able to do in 102 days: provide a clear timeline of when a star player is going to return. Kirill Kaprizov is expected to miss three to four weeks after sustaining an injury in Wednesday's game. Karl-Anthony Towns is doing some work, but we still don't know when he'll be back from his late November injury. 5:00: Kent Youngblood joins the show to add perspective to the end of Lindsay Whalen's time coaching the Gophers women's basketball team, what it means that several key players are sticking around and who might be coaching them next season. 23:00: Gophers hockey and football writer Randy Johnson checks in ahead of a big weekend on the ice and a big day for NFL hopefuls next week. 32:00: The Vikings didn't quite make news Thursday, but things were sure interesting.

Introduction: The unofficial "Gordie Howe hat trick" in hockey consists of a goal, assist and a fight in the same game. The Wild had a variation on that Wednesday in terms of making news: a victory, an injury and a mystery. The victory in Winnipeg moved Minnesota into a first place tie; the injury to Kirill Kaprizov overshadowed it; and the mystery is why Wild players didn't wear rainbow warmup jerseys before Tuesday's home game -- something they had planned to do as part of a Pride Night celebration. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand on a number of topics, including: Ben Johnson's future with the Gophers; Lindsay Whalen's departure; the Wolves without KAT; the NFL quarterback market; and Twins story lines. 36:00: Johnson's Gophers earned a nice win Wednesday in the Big Ten Tournament.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of the lack of offense for the Wolves and Wild during Tuesday home games, including the increasingly conspicuous absence of Karl-Anthony Towns during a 117-94 loss to the 76ers. The Wild went into overtime tied 0-0 before losing in a shootout. 8:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for another award-winning "Where's the money, Brzezinski?" segment. He puts on his salary cap analyst hat and determines what is next for the Vikings. The big question: Will they be able to make enough moves that they don't have to do a Kirk Cousins extension? 32:00: Good news for the Gophers: Three freshmen on the Gophers women's basketball team intend to stay even after Lindsay Whalen's departure.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a pause from frantically analyzing the Vikings' salary cap situation to note that the business side of the NFL -- and sports in general -- kind of stinks. In what other industry would an exemplary employee like Eric Kendricks be a logical candidate to be fired? 7:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand for a look at a busy stretch that saw GM Bill Guerin execute seven trades. The net result is a Wild team positioned better to score goals and perhaps make a playoff run. 30:00: St. Thomas carves out a niche; Rudy Gobert starts to shine.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand had a number of topics to tackle on Monday's show. Among them: Lindsay Whalen and the Gophers going their separate ways during the Big Ten Tournament; the Wolves suddenly coming back to life; the Wild in contention for a top seed in the West; Gophers baseball starting the year 0-11; and Adam Thielen's future with the Vikings.