StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another program-building win for the Gophers men's basketball team as well as a big week for the women's basketball team. 8:00: Bobby Nightengale joins from Fort Myers where it has been a busy spring already for the Twins. In focus: the impact of Pablo Lopez's season-ending elbow injury, the fallout from the offseason with Byron Buxton and messaging from Tom Pohlad. 31:00: A big day for Minnesota Olympians.

On a special edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand checks in with Bemidji girls' hockey star Bailey Rupp. She helped Bemidji to the girls' hockey state tournament for the first time since 2007, where they will face Edina in Thursdays' Class 2A quarterfinals.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Pablo Lopez leaving a spring training throwing session with elbow pain. It's too early to be too concerned, but it is worth remember that it was a Lopez injury that sent the Twins' season off the rails in 2025. Plus a big night for the Heise family. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk about the Gophers women's basketball team's surge. They've won eight in a row and just cracked the AP top 25. 28:00: The best time of the year for high school hockey.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. In focus: Byron Buxton's comments from spring training, an Olympic curling controversy, the excellent Gophers women's basketball team and the fate of the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand goes through all that has happened in the month-plus since we last heard from Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy. 7:00: Bobby Nightengale has a thorough Twins report from spring training in Florida. 27:00: The Gophers women's basketball team keeps stacking wins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Afton skier Jessie Diggins, who reached down deep and won a bronze medal Thursday in the 10K freestyle. It was another career-defining moment for Diggins. Plus another good Wolves win heading into the break. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand to talk about the Olympics, the Timberwolves, the Twins and Minnesota United. 28:00: Liam Hendriks is back with the Twins. In a different era, would he ever have left?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a look at Sportico's valuations of all 154 teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS. It reveals a lot about Minnesota franchises, among other things. 11:00: Chris Hine joins the show for a long look at the Timberwolves. With one more game before the All-Star break, where do they stand? 37:00: Get your hockey fix with the Olympics.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves, who once again zigged when we were expecting them to zag. 6:00: Ben Goessling joins for a long Vikings discussion ahead of a very interesting offseason.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. The Super Bowl was dull just like the NFL season, but Sam Darnold has a ring. Lindsey Vonn made one more try down the hill. And the Wolves are a mess. Will it cost Chris Finch? Plus all sorts of Gophers sports.

Host Michael Rand breaks down and grades the Wolves' trade deadline moves. How did they do? Plus Larry Fitzgerald Jr. to the Hall of Fame and a huge win at Iowa for the Gophers women's basketball team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand got in just under the wire, delaying the start of the show to get the Wolves trade with the Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu in. The Wolves sent out four second-round picks as well as Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller to get Dosnumu, a guard who should help their depth. Plus good wins for the Wolves, Gophers and Wild. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a debate on the Wolves plus Minnesota United speculation and Olympics news. 30:00: Is Giannis staying put?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves trade of Mike Conley. Is this just a salary dump of a once-useful player, or is it a precursor to a blockbuster move for Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday's NBA trade deadline? Rand gets into that as well as an ode to Conley. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins on a number of subjects, including Derek Falvey's departure from the Twins as well as the Vikings' path forward. 34:00: A listener wants more attention paid to one local team, and he's not wrong.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves and Wild. The Wolves snapped a four-game winning streak with a loss at Memphis that left head coach Chris Finch exasperated. But it is par for the course from recent years near the trade deadline. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime, continuing a recent trend of winning despite giving up a lot of goals. 7:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to discuss the aftermath of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah being fired by the Vikings on Friday. 33:00: A Justin Jefferson quote and more Patriots Hall of Fame fallout.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. At the top of the list is the fallout from Friday's big news, with Derek Falvey and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both out of jobs. Plus the Wolves, Gophers and a Reusse pickleball rant.

Michael Rand ties together Friday's stunning news at the jump and then welcomes in Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the report that the Wolves are one of four teams in the mix to trade for Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. What would it take and would it be worth it? Plus the Wolves beat the Thunder, the Wild beat the Flames and a major record was set in high school basketball. 13:00: Randy Johnson joins to talk about the struggles of the Gophers men's hockey team and the Gophers football schedule. 28:00: NFL coordinator news and a Lindsey Vonn crash.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a busy night of events on Wednesday. The Wolves showed off seldom-used depth in beating the Mavericks. The Gophers men's basketball again suffered from a lack of depth. The Gophers women and Frost cruised to wins. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins to talk about Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame snub, a lingering 2024 Vikings draft question and the Twins' 2026 spending plan. 30:00: A Twins trade.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild's continued mastery of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Gophers football schedule and an opportunity for the Gophers women's basketball team. 7:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand on three very different aspects of the team. First, purely basketball as they talk about depth and the approaching trade deadline. Second, the atmosphere inside Target Center over the weekend after another killing in Minneapolis. Third, the mood of season ticket holders. 36:00: Two good letters from listeners on the Vikings and Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with news that the Washington Commanders are hiring Vikings defensive assistant Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator. It's been an interesting hiring cycle. Plus the Twins avoided arbitration with Joe Ryan. 7:00: Twins controlling owner Tom Pohlad shares his thoughts on the organization's path forward, how fans feel about his family and payroll in 2026 and beyond. 11:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to dissect Pohlad's recent comments and to talk about his recent story on Wolves + Lynx CEO Matt Caldwell. 35:00: The Wolves snapped their losing streak.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, including New England and Seattle prevailing in conference title games to set up a Super Bowl matchup. Rand frames it as the battle between the QB the Vikings used to have (Sam Darnold) and the QB they wish they could have drafted (Drake Maye). Plus a look at at the slumping Wolves and the Twins' leadership transformation.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes the Wolves loss to Chicago and the Wild's win over Detroit and frames them up. It comes down to this: The Wild have all the pieces they need to compete. They just need to stay healthy. The Wolves are largely healthy but need one more piece to compete. 10:00: Andrew Krammer on Brian Flores, the Vikings' offensive line and this weekend's conference title games. 31:00: Two interesting developments on the Flores watch.

Host Michael Rand starts with two pieces of good news that could just be temporary: Brian Flores signed a contract extension with the Vikings, but he can still leave for a head coaching job. The Lynx schedule was released, but there might not be a WNBA season. Plus a quality win for the Gophers women's basketball team. 7:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins for the Daily Delivery debate. In focus: Does Indiana put pressure on the Gophers? When will we learn our lesson with the Wolves? And do we need to focus more on the Vikings in the trenches instead of QB? 33:00: The Wolves raised season ticket prices, and we all got a lesson in economics.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a night in Minnesota sports that could have been 3-0 but instead turned into 0-3. Plus some good news for Jordan Addison. 10:00: Star Tribune college football writer Randy Johnson joins Rand for a breakdown of Indiana's amazing 16-0 season and to put into perspective what it might mean for the Gophers. Plus thoughts on Minnesota's coaching changes and transfer portal moves. 30:00: Baker Mayfield is not a Kevin Stefanski fan.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at Indiana's perfect 16-0 college football season, capped Monday by a 27-21 thriller over Miami in the championship game. One of the worst programs in college football history is now on top of the world. How did that happen, and how much hope does it give everyone else? Plus Vikings coaching news and a good Wild win. 13:00: Bobby Nightengale from the Star Tribune on the Twins and their offseason. 35:00: A devastating injury for Jimmy Butler.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They start with the NFL playoffs, which featured two overtime games and two relative duds. What did we learn about the NFC North and the Vikings' path in 2026? Plus thoughts on the Wild, Wolves, Twins and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand doesn't care how long it takes. Shut down MLB after this season until there's a salary cap. There's no other reasonable course of action after seeing what the Dodgers continue to do, including signing Kyle Tucker for $60 million a year. Plus a rough patch for the Wild and Ant out tonight for the Wolves. 9:00: Chip Scoggins joins the show on two big subjects: A Gophers men's basketball revival under Niko Medved and the notion that the Vikings could cut ties this offseason with J.J. McCarthy. 36:00: Sam Darnold on the injury report and the closing of the portal.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a narrative shift around the Wolves and just how important (and emphatic) their win over the Bucks on Tuesday was. Two big games in Texas await them starting Friday. Plus a minor Twins move and a Gophers women's basketball loss. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a Vikings discussion. There was a lot to unpack from Tuesday's season-ending news conference, including QB questions, Brian Flores discussion and a Jordan Addison conundrum. 32:00: John Harbaugh to the Giants.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a dissection of remarks made about 2026 QB plans by Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. 13:00: Sarah McLellan on the Wild's big-picture strength contrasted against their recent dip. 31:00: Joan Beringer arrived for the Wolves; the Gophers lost a heartbreaker.

Host Michael Rand starts with why he thinks Aaron Rodgers to the Vikings in 2026 makes more sense than it did in 2025. What we don't know is whether Rodgers wants to play another year after losing Monday in the playoffs with Pittsburgh. 10:00: Chris Hine joins Rand for a lengthy Wolves discussion. 36:00: No Ant and no Gobert tonight for Minnesota.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Another playoff clunker for the Chargers had Reusse fired up about whether Justin Herbert could be available to the Vikings this offseason. Plus an impressive Wolves comeback, a Gophers women's hoops win and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at Anthony Edwards, who on Thursday became the third-youngest player to reach 10,000 points behind just LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Plus a Wild win at the end of a long road trip and another massive departure for Minnesota United. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins for a breakdown of his recent list of the top 10 Twins prospects. How soon might some of them arrive in the majors, and what will they need to work on the most to get here? 38:00: Joe Ryan and the Twins might be headed for arbitration.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with early Thursday news that the Ravens have asked to interview Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for their head coaching vacancy. Plus Koi Perich has visits scheduled with some big-time programs. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins for the Daily Delivery debate. In focus: Are the Wolves for real, are Niko Medved's Gophers good and are the Twins up to anything? 31:00: Trae Young trade and a good Wolves stat.

Introduction: Off of big wins on Tuesday for both teams, host Michael Rand asks questions about the Timberwolves and Gophers men's hoops squads. 10:00: Chip Scoggins joins to talk Vikings quarterbacks and college football. 33:00: A surprise coaching move means one more opening for Brian Flores.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some hockey talk, including the Wild and World Junior tournament. 5:00: Andrew Krammer joins for the final installment of the Vikings film review, followed by Rand digressing into a broader sports discussion. 30:00: Vikings poetry, another farewell. 43:00: Sid Hartman's honor.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports.

Whereby I imagine someone was in a coma and missed -- some would say blissfully -- the entire Vikings season and only just woke up minutes after the 16-3 win over the Packers.

Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III and host Michael Rand go back and forth in the final episode of 2025. They'll combine to pick the top 10 players currently on Minnesota pro sports teams.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a night of winning for Minnesota teams. The Wolves routed the Bulls and the Wild routed Vegas, reminding us of how much both teams have grown. Plus the Gophers women's and men's basketball teams both won as well. 11:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down the Vikings' most recent win and to take a big-picture look at the roster. 32:00: Kevin Williams receives a big honor.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Their focus started with the Vikings, who haven't played since Thursday but have won four straight games after a dreadful 4-8 start. The big question: What have we learned in a very strange season? Plus thoughts on the Wolves, Wild, Gophers and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dissects Kevin O'Connell's Tuesday news conference in which he announced J.J. McCarthy has a hairline fracture on his throwing hand. 13:00: Randy Johnson joins the show from Arizona to set up the Gophers bowl game and the World Junior hockey tournament. 26:00: The Twins are No. 1 at something.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three questions from readers, all of them about the NFL. 8:00: Andrew Krammer's film review from the Vikings' win over the Giants leads to all sorts of questions. 28:00: Vikings poetry. 43:00: An emerging TV headache for Wolves, Wild?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports.

Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins and host Michael Rand chat with St. Thomas AD and 2025 Star Tribune Sportsperson of the Year Phil Esten.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the news that Kevin Garnett and the Wolves have mended their relationship. KG will join the team as an ambassador and will have his jersey retired at some point. After a decade of strained feelings, this is right. Plus the Wild are No. 3 in their division -- and the entire NHL -- after another win Thursday. 10:00: Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a dissection of the big Twins news this week. 29:00: The Seahawks won a wild one over the Rams; even if the Vikings had been better this year, they wouldn't be a playoff team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the big news from the Twins. Not only did they introduce their new limited partners, but also they shifted from one Pohlad (Joe) to another (Tom) as their top executive. Where are they headed now? Plus a bad Wolves loss leaves head coach Chris Finch perplexed and concerned. 11:00: Strib Varsity's Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about his recent story on a 17-year-old basketball referee and to break down all the top high school teams. 29:00: Star goalie Dayne St. Clair is leaving Minnesota United.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with thoughts on J.J. McCarthy and how he has made big throws while limiting mistakes each of the last two weeks. Plus do we need to take Bones Hyland seriously? 10:00: The Daily Delivery debate with La Velle E. Neal III on the Vikings, Wild and Twins. 33:00: Quinn Hughes and the Wild keep rolling.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins' free agent signing of Josh Bell. They committed $7 million to him, the most they've spent since 2023. That's a sign for 2026 and an indictment of the recent past. 7:00: Vikings poetry, with some bonus Quinn Hughes talk. 26:00: Kevin O'Connell's lament.

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins, who is pinch hitting for Patrick Reusse. They had plenty to get to, including the Vikings' win over Dallas, the Wild's blockbuster trade for Quinn Hughes and a Wolves discussion. It might have been the best weekend for Minnesota sports in a while.