StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Prompted by a listener question, host Michael Rand digs into team needs and salary cap situations to determine who he thinks are the five most likely teams to be interested in Kirk Cousins if the Vikings decide to try to trade him. Bottom line: There should be a market if the Vikings go that route. 9:00: Mark Craig joins the show to talk through the weekend slate of NFL games. The top-seeded Packers are getting healthy at the right time, but they face some matchup problems against the 49ers. Meanwhile, Rams vs. Buccaneers and Bills vs. Chiefs should be very entertaining. 25:00: The Gophers women's basketball team suffered one of the worst losses in program history Thursday against Iowa, part of a disappointing year. Meanwhile, the Loons welcomed back star Emanuel Reynoso.

Introduction: It was a tale of two nights for the Timberwolves. After a resilient win over the Knicks in which Wolves players -- most notably Karl-Anthony Towns -- gushed about being able to come through in big moments and battle through adversity, the Wolves melted down in the third quarter of Thursday's back-to-back against Atlanta in an 134-122 loss. Anthony Edwards was ejected. Karl-Anthony Towns had a flagrant foul and constantly battled officials. And afterward, D'Angelo Russell talked about the need for Towns to walk the line with his emotions. 12:00: Wild goalie Kaapo Kahkonen joins the show to talk about his recent stretch of strong play in the absence of Cam Talbot. He also talks about his relationship with Talbot, the developmental curve for a young goalie and how he got his start in hockey. 22:00: An update on the Vikings' search for a new coach and GM, plus Rand gives his thoughts on how likely a Kirk Cousins trade is this offseason.

Introduction: The Wolves pulled out a 112-110 win at the Knicks on Tuesday, a notable victory on several fronts. Karl-Anthony Towns made the biggest play of the game with a three-point play that put the Wolves ahead with about 30 seconds left. You'll hear a lot of interesting comments from him that show some of his growth and the team's growth this season. Plus the win came over Tom Thibodeau, who is not having the same level of success in Year 2 in New York. 12:00: Star Tribune writer Kent Youngblood joins the show to check in on the Gophers women's basketball team and the Lynx. The Gophers have had an up-and-down season. Better days are likely ahead with a strong recruiting class set to arrive next year, but more growth in Year 4 under Lindsay Whalen is needed. Plus free agency with the Lynx is set to start soon, and they have some interesting decisions to make. 22:00: An interesting name emerged in the Vikings' search for a coach: Raheem Morris. He has relative youth (45), previous head coaching experience and has been an assistant on both sides of the ball. 25:00: The Gophers men's basketball season is on pause, while Minnesota United has somehow already started again.

Introduction: With a two-goal game Monday -- both of which tied the game for the Wild in an eventual 4-3 shootout loss to Colorado -- Kirill Kaprizov moved up to ninth in the NHL with 44 points in just 34 games this season. Perhaps it goes without saying, but the great ones sometimes get taken for granted so let's say it anyway: Kaprizov is absolutely living up to his rookie season, and then some. 5:00: Former Gophers women's basketball coach Pam Borton joins the show on the heels of publishing her second book, "The Crooked Rim." Borton has moved into the corporate coaching after leading the Gophers from 2002-2014 and taking them to six NCAA tournaments, two Sweet 16s and a Final Four. 20:00: The Vikings are at a bit of a crossroads in their history. While the franchise has frustrated fans with its inability to win a Super Bowl, the Vikings rarely have bottomed out. A wrong set of hires and decisions in the coming weeks, though, could change that.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at the big stories in sports. But first Reusse regales us with some thoughts on traveling several hours in the middle of winter to watch youth hockey tournaments. Reusse and Rand get into the Vikings coach/GM search and how the popular narrative in the last week has been to dump on fired Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. Plus some thoughts on the NFL playoffs and the Timberwolves, who beat the Steph Curry-less Warriors quite handily on Sunday evening.

Introduction: The Timberwolves' 116-108 loss to Memphis on Thursday was interesting on a number of fronts. It signaled (again) that Minnesota can compete with the league's best teams, given that Memphis is now 30-14. But it also showed what the Wolves are missing: The sort of consistent complementary veteran roster depth that the Grizzlies have. Will Minnesota be able to add to its roster before the trade deadline, as Sachin Gupta suggests? And could the Wolves have had their own version of Memphis' roster with a little more patience a few years ago? 12:00: Star Tribune Vikings/NFL writer Mark Craig joins for his weekly picks segment -- playoff edition -- and to give his thoughts on the ongoing search for a new general manager and head coach. 28:00: Which free agents should the Vikings try to keep? And some good hockey news for a bunch of Minnesotans.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand isn't into moral victories, but there were positive indicators in the Gophers men's basketball team's last-second 71-69 loss at Michigan State on Wednesday. It reaffirmed that this team should be competitive against most teams in the Big Ten -- assuming Minnesota is able to persevere for however long Eric Curry's ankle needs to heal. Plus the Gophers women's basketball team got a much-needed win at Wisconsin. 6:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joined the show to give an update on MLB's labor situation. With the lockout dragging on, players and owners were set to resume talks on Thursday. What is the timetable? And what is the impact on the Twins if this drags out longer? 22:00: Five questions Rand would love to ask Mike Zimmer. And a statistical comparison between 2021 Kirk Cousins and 2009 Brett Favre that needs more context.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a break for several minutes from Vikings talk to dive into the Timberwolves' 128-125 loss to the Pelicans on Tuesday. It ended a four-game winning streak and kept the Wolves from getting over .500 at the midpoint of the season (20-21), and in the aftermath Karl-Anthony Towns talked about how players can't let love from the media get to their heads. Um, what? The narrative around this team is one of improvement, for sure, but has anyone really said they have arrived? Hear audio clips from Towns, Anthony Edwards and Patrick Beverley. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to dissect what Rand deems the five most important things said about the Vikings in the last few days. Quotes from Eric Kendricks, Brian O'Neill, Mark Wilf, Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman (the last two being official statements) shed light on individuals and the team going forward. 30:00: Scoggins thinks Kirk Cousins will be traded in the offseason, which is a good reason to remember that a new coach for the Vikings has tended to mean a QB gets drafted right away.

Introduction: The Vikings aren't the only team looking for a new head coach. Several other teams are in the market, bringing about this question: Just how attractive is the Minnesota job relative to other openings? It seems to be in the eye of the beholder, given that NFL.com ranks it worst and an ESPN analysis ranks it the best. Cap space is an issue, but there is some upside for an offensive-minded coach. Comments from Eric Kendricks and Brian O'Neill made it sound like players will be receptive to a new voice. 8:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Michael Rand for an evaluation of the jobs done by both Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman. Again, it's a mixed bag with the last two seasons really sealing their fates. Problems and successes were familiar throughout their tenures. 24:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team explores the idea of whether the Vikings will -- and can -- trade Kirk Cousins given the rest of the shakeups.

Star Tribune Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling joins host Michael Rand for a breaking news edition of Daily Delivery after Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman were fired Monday morning. The Zimmer news felt like a foregone conclusion while the Spielman news registers as somewhat of a surprise based on a narrative that had emerged in recent weeks. But starting over at both spots will create a seismic shift for the Vikings and impact their direction for years to come. Goessling discusses which head coaching candidates might be the best fit in Minnesota, how he evaluates the tenures of both Zimmer and Spielman -- plus what might happen with QB Kirk Cousins in 2022 in the wake of the regime change.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand in the aftermath of a disappointing 8-9 Vikings season that ended Sunday with a win over Chicago. Mike Zimmer, Rick Spielman and Kirk Cousins all had missteps this year and in past seasons. Reusse weighs in on the aftermath of the year and how he divides the blame. Plus more heroics for the kicker the Vikings cut in 2018 (Daniel Carlson), a Wolves winning streak, Wild back on the right track despite missing several players and the Gophers men's basketball team starting to slide.

Introduction: The Wild got a much-needed 3-2 win in Boston on Thursday, highlighted by Matt Boldy's first career goal in his first career game (all of it in front of family in his home state). Those good feelings, though, were dampened by what looks to be a significant upper body injury to Kirill Kaprizov after he was sent sprawling into the boards by the Bruins' Trent Frederic. Wild coach Dean Evason called it a "predatorial hit," and it will add to the adversity the short-handed Wild is facing. 6:00: Star Tribune basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about the Gophers men's basketball team and the debut of his new Basketball Across Minnesota feature. Plus a much-needed road win for the Gophers women's basketball team, which played without head coach Lindsay Whalen as she recovers from an emergency appendectomy. 27:00: Star Tribune football writer Mark Craig joins with the picks segment off of the final NFL weekend of the season. It figures to be unpredictable.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand listens back and shares a few clips from Kirk Cousins' session with reporters on Wednesday -- his first comments since he landed on the COVID list late last week and had to miss the Vikings' pivotal game at Green Bay. Cousins didn't seem very contrite or forthcoming, leaving Rand wanting more -- perhaps a fitting theme for the 2021 Vikings. 8:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to talk about the team's frustrating stretch, which includes a five-game losing streak spread out almost nearly a calendar month because of COVID interruptions. Will the injection of Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi into the lineup Thursday at Boston jump-start the Wild, or will this slide continue? 20:00: Rand takes a look at the Wolves' 98-90 win over Oklahoma City and finds Aaron Rodgers firing back at the MVP voter who called him a "jerk."

Introduction: Host Michael Rand queries listeners/readers on this topic: If they were the Wilf family and had to/could only pick one of these three -- Mike Zimmer, Rick Spielman or Kirk Cousins -- to keep in 2022, which would they pick? Rand reveals the surprising results and also takes a spin through the NFL MVP voter who won't pick "jerk" Aaron Rodgers. 8:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for an update on that team after a tumultuous last month. Is there a reason to be optimistic even after several December losses and a COVID-wrecked last two weeks? Rand says there is, and Hine agrees. 28:00: The Gophers men's basketball team ran into a size problem Tuesday that could be a recurring theme in Big Ten play, while the Gophers football team and Wild added key players on Tuesday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the Wolves' win over the Clippers on Monday within the context of several local teams dealing with adversity. It appears as though the Wolves made it through a tough December and early January stretch -- in terms of the schedule and COVID absences -- in reasonable shape and might be in good position going forward. 5:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins the show for a look back at the film on the Vikings' 37-10 loss to Green Bay on Sunday. Did they really abandon the run too soon, as Mike Zimmer familiarly lamented? Plus Krammer looks at five young players this season who showed they are ready for consistent roles. 15:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team takes a big-picture look at this Vikings season and the ones that came before it and comes to a conclusion that the ceiling for 2022 is no higher than it was in 2021 -- signaling that it's time for a change.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for the first episode of 2022, which so far feels a lot like 2021 and every other year in Minnesota sports: Plenty of drama and not a lot of success. The Vikings lost 37-10 at Lambeau Field on Sunday night, a defeat that dashed any playoff hopes and came with a lot of baggage. QB Kirk Cousins missed the game because of COVID protocols; backup Sean Mannion didn't produce much of anything; and third string rookie Kellen Mond hardly got a vote of confidence. Head coach Mike Zimmer sounded exhausted and exasperated postgame -- the tone of a man who sounds like he knows his job is ending soon. Reusse builds the case for blowing it all up, which would also mean dumping GM Rick Spielman. Rand and Reusse disagree about whether Kirk Cousins is tradeable. Plus thoughts on the Winter Classic, the Wolves' stumbles and one thing Reusse is looking forward to in 2022.

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III for a look back at what they liked in 2021 and what they hope to see in 2022.

Introduction: Another day, more Minnesota athletes sidelined by COVID. This time, it was two of the biggest names: Karl-Anthony Towns and Dalvin Cook. Towns joins six other Wolves teammates on the COVID list, a growing number that was too much for the Wolves to overcome in a 128-116 loss at Utah on Thursday. 4:00: Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling joins the show to break down the Cook news and his reporting that quarterback Kirk Cousins has a cracked rib that landed him on the injury report for the first time in eight years. While the injury to Cousins doesn't sound like it will keep him out of Sunday's game, it is fair to wonder if it will limit his effectiveness against a stout Rams defense. Even a fully healthy Cousins might have his hands full if the Vikings' slumping offensive line can't perform better in a crucial game against Aaron Donald and co. 19:00: Mark Craig joins for his weekly NFL picks segment with a slate of games that might be as good as any all year. There are huge playoff implications across the board. And don't forget to check out the Saturday games.

Introduction: Jamison Battle had 23 points for the Gophers on Wednesday, helping them overcome a sluggish start to defeat Wisconsin-Green Bay 72-56. Meanwhile, Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell has been such an important part of his team's success that the statistical evidence bears repeating. Those two left-handed shooters will play a large role in determining just how far their teams go this year. 8:00: Gophers football wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell joins the show, fresh off his decision to return for a sixth season along with several other teammates on offense. What went into that decision? What is head coach P.J. Fleck really like every day? 16:00: Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson joins the show to help preview Tuesday's bowl game against West Virginia. It's been a year of peaks and valleys. Can Minnesota end on a high note? 25:00: More evidence that pizza is relatively young.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a look at how U.S. pro sports leagues are adapting to another surge in COVID cases. The NFL has tweaked its testing strategy to seemingly try to detect fewer cases. The NBA has no plans to pause, Commissioner Adam Silver said recently, and instead wants to play through it and live with COVID. The NHL isn't sending players to the Olympics and is on an extended break now. With data changing every day, what will be the final outcomes in this season? 5:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for the weekly Vikings film review, which tells a story that is both strange and familiar. The Vikings' offensive line struggled to protect Kirk Cousins on Monday, holding him to less than 100 yards passing. And Cousins didn't complete a single pass when pressured, a staggering repeat of his 0-for-pressure against Pittsburgh. And yet Minnesota won both of those games. It's both a testament to good play in other areas and a warning for what lies ahead. 18:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team gets to the heart of Monday's game with this stunning conclusion: Was there one single play from the Vikings' win that made you excited? 33:00: A well-deserved honor for Lindsay Whalen.

Introduction: It never really felt like the Vikings were going to lose Monday against the Bears, but that was a function of Chicago's ineptitude more than anything else. That was the main thought from a 17-9 Vikings victory that at least temporarily moved Minnesota into the No. 7 spot in the NFC playoff race. The Vikings offensive line gave up pressure all night -- one of Star Tribune beat writer Ben Goessling's three takeaways as he joined the show via a "voicemail" from Chicago. But as Mike Zimmer said, the defense played well and it was a much-needed victory in the big picture. 11:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about the surprising 9-1 Gophers, who are garnering some national attention and showing up in some early NCAA tournament projections. 29:00: The Wild lost its fourth consecutive game and the Wolves lost two more players to COVID protocols.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports and a look ahead to Monday Night Football between the Vikings and Bears. *Reusse was trying to watch the Wolves game Friday against the Lakers and was succeeding -- until his ESPN feed, along with the feeds of other YouTube TV subscribers, cut out over a dispute with Disney-owned channels. They returned a couple days later, but the latest streaming fiasco only serves to remind us of the sports TV nightmare that exists now, Reusse said. *At least he will be able to watch the Vikings game Monday, which is on ESPN. But he won't see corner Bashaud Breeland, who was cut over the weekend after a verbal altercation at practice. *Reusse and Rand also touch on the Wolves' four-game winning streak and the increasing rise in COVID cases across sports.

Introduction: There wasn't much to like from the Wild's performance Thursday vs. Buffalo, even if Minnesota was able to salvage one point in a shootout loss. It was the Wild's third consecutive defeat, something that had never happened in the regular season under head coach Dean Evason. And after the game, Evason talked about all the things he didn't like from the performance. 6:00: Mark Craig joins for his weekly NFL picks and some memories of Vikings vs. Bears. Typically when the Vikings have a playoff season they are able to handle Chicago. In a lot of other years, though, Soldier Field has been a nightmare destination. 21:00: The Wolves and Lakers are set to play at Target Center on Friday, but COVID protocols will limit the Lakers' roster. It's another example of the virus returning full force lately.

Introduction: The Gophers signed 18 freshmen and added a transfer to their incoming recruiting class. Hear from head coach P.J. Fleck on his appreciation for the lack of Wednesday surprises -- and what he might be looking to add in the transfer portal. 6:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to help break down what has gone right for a team that at one point recently had the best record in the NHL. A balanced roster, the continued excellence of Kirill Kaprizov and the ability to withstand absences are primary reasons. But if the Wild is going to be a true Stanley Cup contender, what else might it seek via trade to bolster the roster? 22:00: Sara Scalia hit nine three-pointers in a win for the Gophers women's basketball team, but that wasn't even the most by a Minnesota player on Wednesday. Anthony Edwards hit 10 threes for the Wolves, setting a record in the process in a win over Denver. 26:00: David Kahn addressed the Stephen Curry draft blunder ... speaking of blunders, Urban Meyer was fired ... and a fond remembrance of former Bemidji State coach Bob Peters.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at Todd McShay's mock draft and can't help but notice a theme. McShay has five quarterbacks being chosen in the first round -- four of them in the No. 12 through No. 19 spots where the Vikings are likely to pick in the 2022 draft. If the Vikings miss the playoffs this season and clean house, an offseason trade of Kirk Cousins makes sense -- and it makes even more sense if the Vikings can start over with a QB in the 2022 draft. 6:00: Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson joins the show for a breakdown of this year's Gophers recruiting class in conjunction with Wednesday's signing day. Also up for discussion: The impact of the transfer portal and expectations for the Gophers next season. 19:00: Rand answers a few questions from listeners, including a big one -- Why has D'Angelo Russell had such an impact for the Wolves on defense this season? 25:00: The Gophers men's basketball team survived sloppy play and improved to 9-1 with a win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand can't help but notice that it's looking a lot like 2020 again when it comes to COVID and sports. The NFL had 37 positive cases on Monday, including Vikings running back Alexander Mattison entering protocols. The NHL's Calgary Flames are going to miss three games while the NBA's Chicago Bulls had two postponed because of outbreaks. 6:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins the podcast for his weekly film review segment, and the look back at the Vikings' 36-28 win over the Steelers revealed some cause for alarm. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins was 0-for-11 with two interceptions (per Pro Football Focus) when facing pressure. The Vikings will need to correct that against the Bears if they want to have any chance of keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. 19:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite team had no shortage of material this week.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at several big stories in Minnesota sports, including: *The surprising Gophers men's basketball team, which improved to 8-1 with a win at Michigan -- its third consecutive road victory. Early returns on Ben Johnson are quite positive, Reusse says. *The Gophers volleyball team's run in the NCAA tournament ended one match short of the Final Four with a loss Saturday at Wisconsin. *Thursday's Vikings game and whether we would be talking about a coaching change right now if not for Minnesota hanging on to win. *The Grey Cup, the FCS playoffs, the Wolves and the Wild all get bandied about as well. It is the most wonderful and busiest time of the year.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand made the silly mistake of thinking Thursday night's Vikings game was somehow under control when the team led 26-0 in the third quarter. He set the rest of the game to record and helped put his oldest daughters to bed after thinking to himself that this was one of those rare moments in franchise history that a game was truly over before it was over. And he was right! (Narrator: No, not really). Instead of being on cruise control, the Vikings needed a pass breakup in the end zone on the final play to escape with a 36-28 win. Hear postgame reaction from Rand -- along with Mike Zimmer, Kirk Cousins and Anthony Barr. 11:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins the show to talk about another team that has been up and down all season. The Wolves have lost four straight games after winning seven of eight, and the latest twist is Anthony Edwards giving Karl-Anthony Towns advice on how to improve his game. 25:00: NFL writer Mark Craig jumps in with his weekly picks. 32:00: The Wild is the best team in the NHL right now.

Introduction: The Timberwolves and Gophers men's basketball team both lost home games Wednesday to quality opponents. The "what" wasn't surprising, but the "how" was interesting. After the Wolves were routed 136-104 by Utah, second-year Wolves wing Anthony Edwards described how seventh-year big man Karl-Anthony Towns needs to attack opponents more quickly instead of waiting for double-teams. The Gophers, meanwhile, showed a talent deficit against Michigan State that figures to resurface in the Big Ten. 7:00: Gophers volleyball setter Melani Shaffmaster joins Rand for a conversation about the team's big NCAA regional match against Baylor on Thursday and to discuss the nuances of the position. Shaffmaster is an anomaly at 6-foot-3 as a setter. 15:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins the show to give his thoughts on some of the biggest recent stories, including Byron Buxton's contract extension, the MLB lockout and the future of the Vikings' most prominent decisionmakers.

Introduction: Hear from Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan and head coach Dean Evason after Tuesday's latest impressive win, a 4-1 victory at Edmonton that was the Wild's seventh in a row. This time Minnesota did it primarily with defense and goaltending -- a good road recipe at a important point in the season. 8:00: Eric Curry from the Gophers men's basketball team joins the podcast to talk through the team's surprising 7-0 start entering Big Ten play Wednesday against Michigan State. You should read Marcus Fuller's longer feature on Curry as well. Plus hear from head coach Ben Johnson and Curry's teammate, Jamison Battle, on the Gophers' start. 15:00: Columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to give thoughts on a number of big subjects, including: the Gophers football team changing offensive coordinators, their bowl game destination, Tanner Morgan's return and the Vikings' shortcomings.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the Timberwolves' latest loss to Atlanta in which Minnesota allowed 25 three-pointers in a 121-110 defeat. Three-point defense has been a big part of the Wolves' improved play this season, but it has been slipping lately -- a troubling sign for Chris Finch's team. 5:00: Andrew Krammer joins for the weekly Vikings film review, breaking down the big question in the aftermath of the Vikings' 29-27 loss to the Lions on Sunday: Who or what was to blame on the Lions' game-winning touchdown drive? 15:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team, with more analysis of the Vikings' loss -- and what's left to play for this season.

Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for an unforgettable look back at another wild weekend in Minnesota sports. They start, of course, with the utterly predictable yet still unthinkable: The Vikings' 29-27 loss to the previously winless Lions, with the final blow coming on the final play of the game. Mike Zimmer's curious coaching decisions, including moves along the offensive line and a soft defense on the game-winning final drive, contributed mightily to the loss. From there, Reusse waxes poetic on the election of Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Oliva is one of Reusse's favorite players -- and people -- of all-time. Plus thoughts on the Gophers football team, the Wild's surge, the Gophers volleyball team in the Sweet 16 and the Gophers men's basketball team surprisingly sitting 7-0 after a big Sunday win Over Mississippi State.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Thursday podcast guest Ryan Hartman's big night (three points, plus-4 for the game) in the Wild's 5-2 win over New Jersey and is intrigued by the Gophers' reported pursuit of former offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. 5:00: Timberwolves radio voice Alan Horton, now in his 15th season calling Wolves games, joins the show for a look back at his history with the team and his optimism about this season. And yes, we had to talk about the Ed Malloy call from eight years ago. 28:00: Mark Craig joins for the weekly NFL picks segment. Did you think the Vikings might have an easy time this weekend against winless Detroit? Craig says think again. This one will be messy and will leave fans cringing until the final seconds. 42:00: Brian Kelly found himself a new accent.

In a sprawling edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand starts with a day of extremes for Twins baseball fans. Wednesday started with the news conference to formally announce Byron Buxton's seven-year contract extension, a joyous occasion for Twins fans. But then the Twins showed they didn't learn anything from last year's pitching missteps by signing Dylan Bundy. And later in the day, MLB's lockout became official, meaning a work stoppage and no other chances to improve the roster for what figures to be at least a couple months. 8:00: Wild forward Ryan Hartman, off to a blistering start with a team-leading 12 goals for one of the NHL's highest-scoring teams, joins the show to talk about his hot start, his journey to the NHL from South Carolina, the importance of taking time off, and how he skipped a Spanish test to watch a Stanley Cup parade in Chicago. 24:00: Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about that team's 6-0 start. Though much of that good start has come against lesser competition -- with tougher opponents soon to come -- it's still a surprisingly good beginning to the Ben Johnson era. 43:00: As D'Angelo Russell goes, so go the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a spin through three teams that have been hot lately. The Wild won its fourth game in a row and has scored the most goals (83) in the entire NHL. The Gophers men's basketball team is now 6-0 after a dramatic 54-53 win over Pittsburgh, which is more wins than Rand thought they might have all year. And the Wolves are 11-10 and sitting in good position in the Western Conference. 9:00: Three Gophers athletes join the show ahead of big games in the coming days. First up is Sara Scalia from the Gophers women's basketball team before Wednesday's game against North Carolina. Then Sammy Walker from the Gophers men's hockey team before they head to Michigan this weekend. And finally Abigail Boreen from the women's hockey team in advance of this weekend's showdown at No. 1 Wisconsin. 26:00: MLB is on a continued path of self-destruction with a work stoppage looming.

A trio of football guests helped Michael Rand make some sense of a busy week: *Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joined Daily Delivery to discuss a whirlwind week for that program. Let's see: On Saturday the Gophers beat Wisconsin to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe and to change the narrative on their season; Not long after, we learned that Tanner Morgan is returning for a sixth season while much-criticized offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. is departing. And on Sunday, we should find out which bowl game the Gophers have earned this season. *Andrew Krammer joined for a film review of the Vikings, which wasn't pretty after a 34-26 loss to San Francisco. The Vikings were gouged against the run in the loss, and it wasn't just an isolated problem explained away by injuries. *My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite team with Keith Richotte, now with ... limericks?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at a very busy weekend in sports. Topics covered: *Byron Buxton's seven-year, $100 million extension with the Twins. While Reusse and Rand agreed it needed to happen, Reusse has a message for Buxton: Now you need to play. *The Vikings were run over by the 49ers, though they made enough plays to keep the game close. Defensive shortcomings told the real story, though blaming Kirk Cousins is more fashionable. *The Gophers beat Wisconsin for just the second time since 2003, and they would have had more than just a trophy (and big win) had Nebraska defeated Iowa. Still, it turned what would have been a disappointing season into a good one. *The Wolves had a big win in Philadelphia. Ryan Hartman can't stop scoring, which is a good thing for the Wild. And Reusse witnessed perhaps the biggest win of all in Edina.

Phil Miller joins host Michael Rand for a look at the Twins and an important offseason. They should have close to $50 million to spend on the open market. But a presumed labor stoppage will complicate any free agent pursuits, and their biggest question might be regarding a player already on their roster: Byron Buxton, and whether they extend or trade him.

Introduction: It was a winning night for Minnesota teams, with the Wolves, Wild and Gophers men's basketball team all earning victories. The biggest of the three was the Wolves' 113-101 win over the Heat, their fifth win in a row and a triumph over Jimmy Butler. Is it enough to declare this team has turned a corner? Not yet, since consistency has long been a problem. But it was a big step forward. 6:00: Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan joins the show to help set up Saturday's big game against Wisconsin and to answer a big question: How has he dealt with criticism this season? 11:00: Mark Craig's NFL picks.

Introduction: It's an all-defense edition of Daily Delivery as host Michael Rand notes the impact of Minnehaha product and current Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren in Tuesday's 83-63 win over UCLA in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown. And the Gophers men's basketball team is carving out a defensive identity early this season, starting 4-0 thanks to its ability to limit teams from the three-point line. 5:00: Gophers football defensive end Boye Mafe joins the show to help set up Saturday's huge rivalry game against Wisconsin that could determine the Big Ten West champion. Mafe explains how P.J. Fleck keeps the team focused on a single-game mentality and looks back on a career playing in his home state. 10:00: Wolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at the team's recent four-game winning streak, which has been fueled by defense. The Wolves have the seventh-best defensive-rating in the NBA and the No. 1 defensive rating over the past five games, thanks in large part to being very good defending three-pointers. Can they keep it up against a tougher slate of opponents, including old friend Jimmy Butler and the Heat on Wednesday? 29:00: Winning a playoff game without taking a single shot on goal? It happened in Major League Soccer on Tuesday.

It's Tuesday Morning Nickelback time on Daily Delivery, as host Michael Rand welcomes in the usual trio of guests to break down all the big Vikings and Gophers story lines. 2:00: Andrew Krammer joins for Vikings film review, where he takes a look at Justin Jefferson continuing to make big plays -- and Kirk Cousins continuing to push the ball to him downfield. Rand points out that Cousins was pressured at the second-highest rate in the league this past week -- nearly 50% of his dropbacks -- but had by far the most passing yards under pressure. Will he continue to be aggressive even when facing pressure? 15:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team brings us five -- yes, one for every Vikings win -- haiku poems this week. Most of it seems to revel in the Packers losing. 29:00: Randy Johnson joins for a Gophers football update ahead of Saturday's huge game against Wisconsin. Depending on what Iowa and Purdue do this weekend, the game could be for the Big Ten West title.

Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. It was a mostly positive set of results in Minnesota, including: *The Vikings held off the Packers 34-31 thanks to some late-game heroics and some good fortune that included getting the benefit of a few critical officiating calls. Reusse says Vikings fans can't complain about the referees after that one. Rand notes how the narrative today would be totally different had a late Kirk Cousins interception not been overturned upon review. But the bottom line is Minnesota took a huge win and evened its record at 5-5. *The Gophers gave themselves a chance at the Big Ten West title with a breezy 35-14 win over Indiana on Saturday. Now the path is clear: If Iowa loses to Nebraska, Purdue defeats Indiana and the Gophers beat Wisconsin next weekend, Minnesota will be the Big Ten West champion. Just don't ask Patrick what the name of the Gophers stadium is. *Minnesota United started fast in its playoff game Sunday against Portland, but the Timbers controlled the final 70 minutes of the match in a 3-1 result that ended the Loons' season. *Three wins in a row for the Timberwolves have helped change the narrative on that season, at least for now.

Introduction: Chris Finch and Dean Evason delivered messages to their teams before both of them played Thursday. Finch and veteran guard Patrick Beverley implored the Wolves to be professional coming off a win Wednesday against the Kings and follow it with a good showing against San Antonio. Evason juggled his lines after a 4-1 Wild loss to San Jose. The verdict? Messages received loud and clear. Both teams delivered blowout victories and looked about as good as they have at any point this season. 5:00: Longtime Wisconsin-based NFL writer and radio host Jason Wilde joins the show to help set up Sunday's game between the Vikings and Packers. What does Wilde think of all the Aaron Rodgers drama and his future in Green Bay? How much will a recent lack of practice time for Rodgers hurt in Sunday's game? Those questions are answered and much more. 19:00: Vikings/NFL writer Mark Craig joins for his weekly NFL picks segment and to offer more perspectives on Sunday's big game at U.S. Bank Stadium. He thinks the Packers will prevail, but the NFL has been hard to predict this season.

Introduction: A piece in The Athletic this week indicated there is an expectation within MLB that Byron Buxton will be traded by the Twins. Though there wasn't much news beyond what has already been reported -- the sides keep talking about a new contract but can't agree on terms; the Twins worry about his injury history but also the backlash for letting him go -- it was a reminder that we're into the baseball offseason with no resolution in sight. And it's also an opportunity to restate this: trading Buxton would be a giant mistake that the Twins would regret on multiple levels. 7:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to give an evaluation of the team after 15 games. Though there have been some rough edges, including sluggish starts from Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala and a certain lack of sharpness in keeping pucks out of the net, a 10-5 record bodes well for the rest of this season. And the new-look Wild blue line will greet an old friend Thursday when Ryan Suter's Dallas Stars visit Xcel Energy Center. 26:00: The Wolves only collected half of all available defensive rebounds in Wednesday's game against the Kings, leading coach Chris Finch to raise his voice at halftime. The response came after the break, with Minnesota getting a much-needed 107-97 win. But defensive rebounding remains a big issue.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched most of Tuesday's Wild game with a level of concern, though clearly not alarm over the 4-1 loss to San Jose . Even with a 10-5 start to the season, there have been some cracks in the Wild's game that showed up again in the loss -- including a lack of production from Kevin Fiala and Kirill Kaprizov. Then again, if you have Dish Network you weren't able to watch the game anyway -- nor will you be able to see anything on Bally Sports North. 5:00: Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath joins the show in advance of Sunday's playoff game in Portland. The Loons started the year 0-4 and left themselves little margin for error, but they rallied and on the last day of the year secured a postseason berth for the third consecutive season. When fully healthy, Minnesota United can play with anyone. Will they be fit in the playoffs and offer further vindication for Heath over his doubters? 21:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show and debates three main points with Rand: Should the Gophers bench QB Tanner Morgan? Are the Vikings a playoff team? And do the Wolves need patience or a major shakeup? 38:00: Are you ready for Crypto.com Arena?

Introduction: One show. Three football guests. That's what we do on Tuesday Morning Nickelback. 2:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins to break down film of the 27-20 win over the Chargers, including a key sequence in the third quarter in which the offense and defense were in sync about as well as they have been all season. Mike Zimmer dialed up key blitzes to help get the Vikings off the field, and the offense took those opportunities and turned a 17-13 deficit into a 27-17 lead. 12:00: What if you could get a recap of the Vikings game in haiku form? That is the latest wrinkle on this week's My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team. 24:00: Randy Johnson joins the show to look back at the Gophers' disappointing 27-22 loss at Iowa, and what it means in the context of their season. Familiar problems resurfaced even as Minnesota played the style it wanted to play.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins Michael Rand for a look back at an important weekend in Minnesota sports. They started with the Vikings, who played one of their most complete games of the season when they needed it the most -- and punctuated a 27-20 win over the Chargers with some fourth-quarter aggressiveness on offense. A touchdown extended their lead, and a few key plays let them run out the clock instead of relying on defense for a stop at the end. The Gophers football team, meanwhile, displayed none of that aggressiveness. Though Minnesota outgained Iowa by more than 100 yards and held the ball for twice as long as the Hawkeyes, settling for field goals and failing to make enough big plays in the passing game doomed the Gophers to a 27-22 loss that almost closed the door on Big Ten title aspirations. Reusse and Rand also talked about the Gophers men's basketball team's surprising 3-0 start, the Wolves falling flat after demolishing the Lakers and an epic Division III football game.

Introduction: The Wild had a chance to make an early-season statement against Vegas, the team that knocked Minnesota out of the playoffs a year ago. Instead, the Wild fell behind and couldn't complete a furious rally, losing 3-2 and going 0-for-6 on the power play in the road loss. Beat writer Sarah McLellan checks in with a "voicemail" from Las Vegas to help break it down. 4:00: Host Michael Rand isn't buying Karl-Anthony Towns' frustration with losing and thinks KAT has to own it instead of suggesting that it is merely happening to him. 6:00: Iowa-based radio host and writer Andrew Downs joins the show to help set up Saturday's big game between the Gophers and Hawkeyes down in Iowa. Both teams have had setbacks lately, but both are still tied for the Big Ten West lead. Plenty is at stake, and Downs will help set it all up from an Iowa perspective. 20:00: NFL/Vikings writer Mark Craig joins the show for the weekly picks segment, and perhaps against his better judgment he likes the Vikings to win on Sunday against the Chargers. 36:00: Olympic gymnast Suni Lee of St. Paul says she was the victim of a racist attack.

Introduction: If you were excited about the Wild and the Timberwolves at the start of their seasons, you probably feel differently about one of those teams now. Wednesday was a microcosm of the starts to their years, with the Wild surging to a 9-3 record thanks to a lopsided win over Arizona while the Wolves fell to 3-7 with their sixth consecutive loss -- this one at Golden State. For the Wild, scoring balance and confidence seem to be key. For the Wolves, who lost despite 48 points from Anthony Edwards, confidence and execution is in short supply these days. 9:00: Longtime NFL agent Leigh Steinberg joins host Michael Rand on the show for a look at how Aaron Rodgers has handled the COVID vaccine controversy, the changes Steinberg has seen in four decades in the business and to answer once and for all whether he was the inspiration for Tom Cruise's character in "Jerry Maguire." 28:00: The Vikings have a tough task ahead of them this weekend.

Introduction: The Timberwolves have lost five games in a row, and a big culprit has been their play down the stretch of games. They have a net rating of minus-31 in the fourth quarter of games this season, and the mark is even worse during "clutch" situations. Can they figure that out and steer out of this skid? Perhaps, but an increasingly difficult schedule won't help. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan joins host Michael Rand to break down some of what he has witnessed with the 3-5 Vikings so far this season. Souhan also dives into the issue of vaccinations, which played a role in the most recent Vikings loss (minus Harrison Smith) and Packers loss (minus Aaron Rodgers). And it sounds like Souhan isn't impressed with the Gophers football team and the timing of P.J. Fleck's contract extension. 25:00: The Gophers basketball teams opened Tuesday, with the men getting Ben Johnson's first win and the women losing a stunner to Jacksonville. 28:00: Troubling allegations against Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.