StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: We dealt with the news of the day on a special episode Thursday after Lindsay Whalen stepped down as Gophers women's basketball coach. On this show, host Michael Rand got into more of the emotion of the day -- one that stood in stark contrast to men's basketball coach Ben Johnson's uplifting Thursday on two fronts. 9:00: Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey joins the show for a discussion of the offseason pursuit of Carlos Correa, the assembly of this year's roster and the rules changes that will shape a lot of what transpires in 2023. 32:00: New look for the Wild, but same results.

Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins host Michael Rand off of Thursday's breaking news that Lindsay Whalen has stepped down as Gophers women's basketball coach after five seasons. Why didn't things work out, and where do the Gophers (and Whalen) go from here?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand plays a clip of Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talking at the Scouting Combine about Kirk Cousins and how QB play can be compared to a math problem. It was a complicated way of talking through a familiar question about what the Vikings should do at that position. Meanwhile, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy wants to run the ball to control the clock, which should make Dallas fans nervous. 9:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand as they try to figure out a confusing team. What is the most likely outcome the rest of the season? 31:00: A new look for the Wild and more of the same for the Gophers women's basketball team.

Introduction: Tuesday could be an important day to remember when we look back on the Wild and Wolves seasons. The Wild won another close one, 2-1 in a shootout over the Islanders, continuing a recent trend of low-scoring wins. They also added two forwards to their roster who could give them more scoring punch going forward. Meanwhile, the Wolves showed an uncanny ability to win just as all hope seemed to be lost. 10:00: Hockey legend Lou Nanne, one of Wednesday's inductees into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame, joined host Michael Rand for a look back at his life in hockey. It's a journey you won't want to miss. 31:00: Afton's Jessie Diggins made skiing history on Tuesday.

Introduction: Two quotes -- one each from Wild GM Bill Guerin and Wolves coach Chris Finch -- gave a pretty good summary of where both franchises are in their evolution right now. In short: They are both still trying to figure out who they are pretty late into their seasons. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand as they try to answer this question in the wake of news that Dennis Evans won't be joining the Gophers: How is a struggling program supposed to improve in this modern era of college sports? Plus some skepticism about Karl-Anthony Towns. 35:00: Some good news for the Twins.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes how much different the second game with Mike Conley Jr. was for the Wolves, as he helped unlock Rudy Gobert's offense and ran the point efficiently in a 124-121 win over Dallas. Plus a 2-1 shootout loss for the Wild was a continuation of a goal drought. 9:00: Chris Preston from local ad agency Preston Spire joins Rand for a look at the best and worst Super Bowl ads from Sunday -- and what it really means when we say that. 29:00: In praise of two great 2020 draft picks.

Host Michael Rand takes you on a spin of the weekend in sports, dealing primarily at first with a very competitive Super Bowl. A controversial holding penalty, at least in the eyes of some, was the overriding story line, but let's not discount the greatness of Patrick Mahomes. Plus Rand evaluates the Super Bowl in terms of the Vikings and looks ahead to 2023, when the Vikings are nowhere near the favorites to win it all. And Rand will get to a bunch of listener questions about Gophers hockey, the Wild, D'Angelo Russell and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand goes in-depth on the numbers inside the Wild's struggles at even strength this year. What was a boon for them a year ago is suddenly a glaring weakness, and only better special teams are propping up a quickly deteriorating season. 10:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at the trade that sent out D'Angelo Russell and brought back Mike Conley Jr. (plus draft picks). It signifies a change in hierarchy and style for the Wolves while also preserving some future salary flexibility. What was the underlying reason for the move and where does the organization go from here? 35:00: Justin Jefferson won a major award but Kirk Cousins stole the show.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand could not be more thrilled that the Timberwolves shed themselves of the baggage known as point guard D'Angelo Russell. His inconsistency and lax defense will not be missed, and the Wolves are a better team now than they were a day ago. The big questions now: How much does Mike Conley Jr. help, and what's the long-term plan at point guard? 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand as they talk through two big topics: Emanuel Reynoso's continued absence from the Loons and a QB plan the Vikings might want to follow. 33:00: Aaron Rodgers, from darkness to spotlight.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched LeBron James break the all-time NBA scoring record on Tuesday and was transported back in time 20 years ago. He talks about traveling to write about James when LeBron was a senior in high school -- and of the unbelievable arc of a career that has somehow lived up to the hype and beyond it. 9:00: Jason Gurwin from The Streamable joins Rand for fresh perspectives on what the impending bankruptcy of Diamond Sports (which runs regional sports networks like Bally Sports North) will mean for consumers, leagues and the future of viewing sports on TV. 28:00: The Wolves were blown out in Denver as the trade deadline nears; and the Wild is back to trying Ryan Hartman on the top line, an ongoing admission of their most glaring weakness: the lack of a true No. 1 center to pair with Kirill Kaprizov.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the Vikings' hire of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, which ended a nearly three-week process. In going a completely different direction from Ed Donatell, head coach Kevin O'Connell is admitting his initial hiring mistake. This is a great hire, but let's hope it doesn't become part of a coordinator revolving door. 11:00: Kent Youngblood joins Rand for a look at Year 5 under Lindsay Whalen with the Gophers women's basketball team and the Lynx's options during free agency and the draft. 29:00: The Wild's post-break schedule started with a thud.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They start with the Timberwolves, who routed a short-handed Nuggets team Sunday but have bigger questions looming ahead with Thursday's trade deadline and Karl-Anthony Towns' eventual (?) return on the horizon. Plus thoughts on the Gophers men's and women's basketball teams, who have just three Big Ten wins combined so far this season. And a good, old-fashioned Reusse rant.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the puzzling and troubling development with Minnesota United. It's Feb. 1 and Emanuel Reynoso still hasn't joined his teammates, who began their training on Jan. 6. We're a little over three weeks away from the start of the MLS season, and his absence needs a better explanation, a fast resolution or both. 6:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a wide-ranging discussion of the NFL playoffs, the Vikings' offseason, the Luis Arraez trade and this big question: If you were told a Minnesota team would win a championship by 2028, which team would you think it was? 27:00: A listener question about NFL draft strategy and a first-hand look at the transfer portal for the Gophers women's basketball team on Wednesday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand doesn't want to overreact to one Timberwolves game because every one of the final 30 games is going to be critical to a playoff berth. But like head coach Chris Finch, he saw some troubling familiar habits resurface in an overtime loss to Sacramento on Monday. 7:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a look at the Vikings' offseason to-do list, after which Rand uses a handy new tool to figure out which cuts he would make and what impact they would have on the Vikings' salary cap. 29:00: Required reading on the Bally Sports North situation.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand with an enlightened take on how NFL officiating has an outsized influence on the outcomes of games -- including a huge impact on Sunday's AFC title game between the Chiefs and Bengals. Plus Reusse and Rand discuss the state of the Gophers men's and women's basketball programs and find themselves starting to believe the Timberwolves have figured a few things out.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dives into a report this week that Diamond Sports Group, which operates 19 regional sports networks including Bally Sports North, will soon be headed for bankruptcy. What does that mean for local teams in the near- and long-term -- and what might it mean for how we watch sports? 9:00: Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins Rand for a look at the Twins' very active offseason so far. They also get into story lines for spring training and Joe Mauer's Hall of Fame candidacy. 29:00: The Wild scored a key win, plus does a recent Jets hire portend an Aaron Rodgers trade?

Introduction: The Associated Press named five finalists for NFL Coach of the Year, and the Vikings' Kevin O'Connell wasn't one of them. That seems like a serious lack of respect for a first-year coach of a 13-win team, especially given how he help elevate MVP candidate Justin Jefferson. 7:00: Sarah McLellan joins host Michael Rand for a discussion of the Wild. After three straight losses, there are plenty of questions -- particularly as some roster sorting comes to the forefront. 27:00: The Wolves bounced back with a win over the Pelicans, two nights after a bad loss. That's how this team operates. Plus, will the Gophers win more in the back half of the Big Ten schedule?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes that the Wild are No. 3 in the NHL in most penalty minutes, which is sabotaging a lot of other good parts of their game. It showed up again in a 4-2 loss Tuesday in Tampa, after which Ryan Hartman (and Dean Evason) were disappointed. 5:00: Maybe Aaron Rodgers should just stay off the microphone until he knows what he actually wants to do? 9:00: Wolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a discussion of the Wolves' woeful record against bad teams, Rudy Gobert's ongoing fit, Karl-Anthony Towns' injury update and the looming trade deadline. 29:00: The Bomba Squad is no more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the complicated world of WNBA free agency, which includes the Lynx, charter travel and superstar Breanna Stewart. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a breakdown of Neal's five moves he would make if he were the Vikings this offseason. Plus he tries to talk himself into liking the trade of Luis Arraez. 27:00: The Twins made yet another trade on Monday; the Vikings are in the thick of their pursuit of a defensive coordinator; and the Wolves lost to another bad team.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at a busy weekend. The Twins got things started Friday with a blockbuster Luis Arraez trade, which Reusse doesn't like from a pure at-bat standpoint. The NFL gave us plenty to think about on Saturday and Sunday, while Reusse had a larger complaint about college basketball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand spends some time on the three live local games Thursday, coming away with a new appreciation for the Wolves' Kyle Anderson after watching him up close in a 128-126 comeback win over Toronto. Meanwhile, the Wild had a clunker without the benched Matt Dumba and the Gophers men's basketball team took a step back. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Megan Ryan helps explain just how much Carlos Correa means to the team and walks us through the rest of the offseason to-do list. 29:00: The unsurprising end of the Ed Donatell era.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand listened a few times to the Vikings' season-ending news conference Wednesday for clues as to how they might proceed this offseason. He found five things from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah particularly interesting. You'll hear those five things, plus Rand's interpretation of them. 13:00: Star Tribune college basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about the Gophers' season, progress, bigger picture basketball news and St. Thomas' massive fundraising win. 32:00: Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson has been the master of the routine.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand goes back to Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly's introductory news conference to find two instances during which Connelly says he just hopes he doesn't mess up a good thing. A little more than halfway into the season, following his offseason acquisition of Rudy Gobert, things don't feel very good. 10:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a breakdown of the Vikings' offseason to-do list and a little Wolves talk, too. Rand had hoped for a little optimism, but things evolved quickly into realism. 29:00: A huge new donation for St. Thomas.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a glancing view of the Wolves' 126-125 loss to Utah on Tuesday, with the intent of going more in-depth on the organization's trajectory on a future show. 7:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for the final film review of the season. With the 31-24 loss to the Giants as the backdrop, they tackle this question: Was it the players or the scheme that let the Vikings down in key moments? 26:00: The final installment of Vikings poetry for the year. 40:00: Curtains for Tom Brady?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a breakdown of Sunday's 31-24 Vikings loss to the Giants in the playoffs at U.S. Bank Stadium. From another awful game by the defense to a questionable final play from Kirk Cousins, there was plenty to digest. Plus Reusse gives his thoughts on the rest of the NFL playoffs and the Twins signing Carlos Correa.

Host Michael Rand brings you a special, vent-filled Daily Delivery from U.S. Bank Stadium in the aftermath of the Vikings' season-ending 31-24 loss to the Giants in the Wild Card playoff game. A 13-4 season gave way to a host of familiar problems, including a disappearing defense. The sum total was the first one-score loss, coming at the worst possible time, to a mediocre foe that was nevertheless better than the Vikings on Sunday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand found himself intrigued by the Gophers men's basketball game on Thursday for the first time in a while. Not only did Ben Johnson's team end up prevailing in a 70-67 upset of Ohio State, but the broadcast "All Access" style on FS1 brought viewers very close to the action. Rand also touched on the Wild's big win over the Islanders. 10:00: Rand is joined by Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune and then Ed Valentine of Big Blue View -- a New York Giants SB Nation site -- to hit on all angles of Sunday's playoff game. 35:00: Robot umps reportedly are coming to Class AAA.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand ties a bow around the Carlos Correa coverage, highlighting the most important takeaways (and things Correa said) from Wednesday's news conference. The Twins are dealing in a significant risk-reward space, but they are better now than at the start of the week. 10:00: Jerry Zgoda joins Rand for a look at Minnesota United, which has several things to sort out as it begins training this week. 25:00: Anthony Edwards is fighting through a hip injury, but his teammates didn't show much fight at all in another disappointing loss to the Pistons on Wednesday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the 20-21 Timberwolves at the midpoint of their season, and offers up a couple reasons for optimism as well as a couple things to be wary of already this year. Bottom line: It feels like the ceiling has been considerably lowered on a season of great expectations, and there's a lot of work to be done to raise it again. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the second half of their Carlos Correa discussion as well as a look around the NFC North. Rand follows with some extended thoughts on why he is skeptical of the Correa deal as well as praise for the 13-4 Vikings. 28:00: Is Minnesota United going to sign a South Korean World Cup star?

La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand for an emergency special edition of the podcast for immediate reaction to the news that Carlos Correa is set to rejoin the Twins on a six-year, $200 million deal. They discuss the process, the risks for the Twins and ultimately what sort of impact this will have on the 2023 season and beyond.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes the ongoing developments with Carlos Correa, as multiple reports suggest Minnesota is getting deeper in renegotiations with the free agent shortstop, and wonders what the optics and reality of the situation would be if he really did wind up with the Twins. 5:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a film review of the Vikings. The Giants' pass rush will test Minnesota's remade offensive line in the playoff opener, and as usual the Vikings will only go as far as the players up front can take them. 20:00: Some Vikings poetry is the only way to pay homage to that Bears game. 29:00: College football's inequality.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the final week of the NFL regular season and more. The Vikings coasted to a win over the disinterested Bears, but plenty of questions remain for Minnesota ahead of Sunday's playoff opener against the Giants. Meanwhile, the Packers were eliminated by the Lions on Sunday night -- the culmination of a mediocre season that Reusse predicted from the very beginning. Was that Aaron Rodgers' final game (at least in Green Bay)? Plus Reusse and Rand weigh in on the magic of the Bills, Carlos Correa, Gophers basketball and South Dakota State's championship over North Dakota State.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand can't help but look back a year to when the Vikings were seemingly choosing between Kevin O'Connell and Jim Harbaugh as head coach. O'Connell is 12-4, while Harbaugh had a stellar year after staying at Michigan, but now the Wolverines are being investigated by the NCAA and Harbaugh has been linked to the Carolina NFL job. 5:00: Is Kirk Ciarrocca headed to Rutgers to be their offensive coordinator? 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for a look at Sunday's Bears game, Justin Jefferson beating double-teams and a playoff look-ahead. 24:00: Some story lines to watch for Minnesota United soccer.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes that the Wolves are finally figuring out a basic premise, that the players who are playing best in a particular game should be the ones on the court at the end. It paid dividends in a win on Wednesday, and maybe it will be a key going forward. 5:00: Wild coach Dean Evason keeps ascending along with his team in the aftermath of a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay. 9:00: Interventional cardiologist Dr. Louis Kohl of Hennepin Healthcare offers perspective on what happened to Bills safety Damar Hamlin and what comes next. 26:00: Some U.S. Soccer drama.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand can't help but wonder what in the world is going on with Carlos Correa. It was mid-December, almost two weeks before Christmas, when it was initially reported that he was signing a 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants. A week later that deal fell apart, but now it's been two weeks and he still hasn't signed with the Mets. 5:00: The Gophers men's basketball team fought hard but lost 63-60 to the Badgers in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Perhaps the bigger takeaway is just how far this team is off the sports radar. 8:00: Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at that team. A spirited effort in a win over Denver was preceded by a six-game losing streak. Which Wolves team will show up Wednesday against Portland during Pride Night at Target Center? 29:00: Brian O'Neill to injured reserve, and a defining quote about Damar Hamlin.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched the scary situation unfold along with so many of you on Monday as Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Bengals. In addition to obviously hoping for the best outcome for Hamlin, Rand also encourages you to listen to those who played the game. They're the ones who have the best insights into what it must have felt like Monday. 5:00: The Wolves showed some heart and fight in a big win over Denver on Monday. Can they keep it up as the season goes along. 8:00: The Vikings film review focuses on the Packers shutting down Justin Jefferson and some of the woes of the Vikings' offensive line. Plus some more amazing Vikings poetry. 33:00: Will the offensive line be the Vikings' undoing?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which featured a lot of doom and gloom for two local teams. The Vikings were clobbered 41-17 by the Packers, dropping their still-strong record to 12-4 but raising even more concerns about how they have been playing lately. Can they rebound -- and get healthy -- in time for the playoffs? The Wolves, meanwhile, lost their sixth game in a row. They are vowing that they can make changes and that their problems can be fixed, but until we see evidence of progress it's hard to believe them. Plus thoughts on college football and the Wild.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched Thursday night's NFL game with a sense of horror. As we think about the Vikings' future and perhaps an eventual change at quarterback, be careful what you wish for because even with the No. 2 pick in a draft you can wind up with a QB like the Jets' Zach Wilson. He was booed off the field in a Jets loss Thursday, and he's more evidence that the wrong move at QB can set a franchise back for years. 7:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for a discussion of Garrett Bradbury's injury, Justin Jefferson's smooth route-running and Vikings playoff scenarios. 28:00: There is a lot to be concerned about with the Gophers men's basketball team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand examines a paradox in sports whereby a winning team can sometimes be taken for granted and underexposed compared to a team that has more drama but doesn't win as much. That seems to be happening this year with the Wild and Wolves; the Wild won their sixth game in a row Wednesday, while the Wolves fell to .500. 10:00: Some good news for local sports fans on the TV front as FuboTV has reached a carriage agreement with Bally Sports regional networks to carry those channels again soon. That gives cord cutters another option and could spur other streaming services like Hulu and YouTube TV to bring the channels back. 13:00: A deep dive into Gophers football recruiting off of Wednesday's signing day, including Gophers coach P.J. Fleck talking about Wisconsin's "negative" recruiting and the U's ability to retain in-state players. 24:00: Will the Carlos Correa deal lead to an Eduardo Escobar trade, and would the Twins make sense if that happened?

Introduction: If you were a Twins fan (or executive) disappointed when Carlos Correa chose a 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants, it has to hurt even more to wake up to Wednesday's stunning news that he is instead going to the Mets on a 12-year, $315 million deal. That's in the neighborhood of the Twins' final offer (10 years, $285 million) and is in fact less if you add in the $35 million the Twins paid Correa in 2022. Maybe we can say this for sure now: Correa wanted to play in a large market and was never going to sign here long-term. 7:00: KFAN's Paul Allen joins host Michael Rand for a discussion of Allen's style as the Vikings' play-by-play voice, how he rose to lofty positions in the market and more. 32:00: An appreciation of Wild center Sam Steel.