StribSports Daily Delivery

Rachel Blount joins Michael Rand on today's episode to talk about the University of St. Thomas and the ongoing process of a history-making jump from Division III to Division I sports. While athletes and coaches are enjoying their final months in the MIAC, preparations are already well underway for the bump up in divisions this summer. Also today: A look at the NHL's COVID problem, which might be more about the sport than anything else. Paige Bueckers did it again. That Ain't Schnelker's Fault: Malik Beasley edition. And the Vikings have a new offensive coordinator with a familiar last name.

Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan for a dissection of Tampa Bay's 31-9 victory over Kansas City in Sunday's Super Bowl. The game itself lacked drama, but the lessons learned can be applied to what we know -- or at least what we think we know -- about the Vikings and their eternal quest to finally win the big one. Former St. John's quarterback Tom Linnemann also joins the show for the "Played the Game" segment, breaking down the most critical sequence in the Super Bowl from a QB's perspective.

Michael Rand is joined on separate segments by former Vikings head coach Brad Childress and longtime Vikings fan Drew Magary of Defector Media. There's plenty of talk about the upcoming Super Bowl -- including Childress' thoughts on longtime friend Andy Reid -- and both take on tough questions about Kirk Cousins and the Vikings' future. Also: Another night, another case of hero ball dooming a Minnesota team. And looking forward to some big Gophers hockey action this weekend.

Michael Rand is joined by Marcus Fuller as they explore whether the Gophers men's basketball team might finally win a road game this season -- and whether their approach of shooting a lot of threes but not often making enough threes is a good one. Rand also talks to the Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek, wonders whether D'Angelo Russell needs a different late-game approach and falls far down a Wasswa Serwanga rabbit hole.

Michael Rand is joined by Chris Hine on this episode as they discuss some bright spots in the past week of an otherwise dreary Timberwolves season. High on that list: The improved play of rookie Anthony Edwards, for whom the game seems to be slowing down. Rand also checks in with his longtime internet friend Chiken Fingerz for some pretty revealing data on why Kevin Fiala's three-game Wild suspension was perhaps uncommonly harsh. Has Chiken Fingerz ever been more angry? Plus checking in on the Nelson Cruz re-signing as well as new shortstop Andrelton Simmons' revelation that he battled depression and thoughts of suicide in 2020.

Sarah McLellan, who covers the Wild for the Star Tribune, joins Michael Rand in a discussion of the Wild's first 10 games. Minnesota is off to a 6-4 start, fueled in large part by strong play from its third line and emerging forward Kirill Kaprizov. But can its depth withstand a current test? And long-term, can the Wild find the right type of center to consistently bring out the best in Kaprizov? Also on the show: A look at the Timberwolves' offensive woes, looming labor problems in baseball and three of your hottest -- but measured -- takes.

Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune NFL writer Mark Craig as they dissect a fascinating Super Bowl quarterback matchup that leads to a natural question: Kirk Cousins is neither elite nor a bargain. Is it still possible for him to get the Vikings to a Super Bowl in the near future? Also: A breakdown of the blockbuster Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff trade, a look at the plausibility of trading for Deshaun Watson, important wins for the Wild and Timberwolves on Sunday and some serious praise for the continuously excellent Minnesota Lynx.