StribSports Daily Delivery

Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune reporter Rochelle Olson as they talk through the Twins' proposal to have around 10,000 fans per game at Target Field at the start of the season in April. Is that realistic? What hurdles are in place? And most importantly the fundamental question: When can fans expect to safely see games in person? Nick Kelly also joins to talk about his story in the Star Tribune about youth sports and challenges facing different youth basketball organizations. Plus: What did we learn from Chris Finch's introductory news conference at Wolves coach -- and what should you look for in tonight's game based on what he said.

A full episode on the Timberwolves' decision late Sunday to fire Ryan Saunders after a 7-24 start and hire Chris Finch off of the Raptors' staff. Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins to help break things down and assess where the Wolves go from there, and several reader questions are answered as well.

Michael Rand is joined by Toronto Raptors executive Teresa Resch ahead of Friday's game between the Raptors and Timberwolves. Resch describes the strange 2020-21 season in which the organization has temporarily relocated to Tampa, explains the culture within the organization that allows it to thrive and gives insights into how the Raptors were able to strike gold with less-heralded players like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. Also on the show: After the Carson Wentz trade, what do we know about any potential Kirk Cousins trade value? Wild fans: Change your face. A very special new segment called "Are these guys for real" featuring Steve Neuman (aka RandBallsStu) and a nod to the underrated career of Brian Dozier.

Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards joins the podcast to talk about his progress so far this season. In a normal year, he would be starting training camp around three months after the draft. This season, he's already 29 games into his rookie season at the three-month mark. But he's taking it all in stride and trying to meet every moment that comes his way. Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan also joins for a dissection of the Wild's long COVID layoff and the rust that was apparent in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Los Angeles in its return. With games coming rapid-fire, this feels like a defining moment in the Wild's season. Plus dueling self-fulfilling prophecies for the Gophers men's basketball team and Timberwolves. And an Oasis song for every Minnesota pro sports team, not just Minnesota United.

La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand for a breakdown of the Twins' roster heading into spring training. They made several additions in recent weeks -- including signing pitcher Matt Shoemaker on Monday -- but the question that remains unanswered is whether the sum of those additions will get them back to the playoffs and help them break an MLB-record 18-game postseason losing streak that dates back to 2004. Neal also gets fans ready for what to expect if they are trying to head down to Florida to see the Twins. Also on the show: Anthony Edwards took over in the fourth quarter of a close loss Tuesday to the Lakers, while Karl-Anthony Towns didn't attempt a shot in the quarter. That dynamic will bear watching, particularly with D'Angelo Russell out for 4-6 weeks. And a sobering stat if you are a Gophers men's basketball fan: No team has made the NCAA tournament with fewer than three wins away from home since 1994.

Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine for a dissection of the Wolves' first three games since Karl-Anthony Towns recovered from COVID-19. With D'Angelo Russell sidelined by a leg injury it's difficult to see the full picture of what this team wants to become, but one thing is clear: They shouldn't continue to play like a 7-20 team now that KAT is back, particularly given the emergence of young players like Jaden McDaniels. Rand also attempts to explain moves made Monday by the Twins and Lynx that might seem like head-scratchers at first. And what type of team might make sense if a Kirk Cousins trade became a reality? Rand answers that as well.

Craig Finn, frontman for The Hold Steady, joins Michael Rand for a great segment full of stories, music and sports talk. Finn still considers himself a big Minnesota sports fan, and he takes us on a journey filled with stories about the Randy Moss "moon" game at Lambeau Field, buying counterfeit Twins/Yankees playoff tickets and more. The Hold Steady's new release "Open Door Policy" is out Friday, and you won't want to miss it. Also on the show: You don't have to be perfect, you just have to get better. That was the theme of the weekend in Minnesota sports. And a listener hot take about defensive-minded NFL coaches and offensive continuity.

At the outset, Michael Rand rants and raves about the Gophers men's basketball team's 71-68 win over Purdue, which featured huge performances from Marcus Carr and Gabe Kalscheur -- plus a heavy dose of the sort of luck Minnesota sports fans insist never comes their way. Star Tribune Puck Drop editor Randy Johnson joins Rand for an investigation of the midyear struggles of the Gophers men's hockey team. After starting out 10-0, Minnesota is just 5-5 -- including getting swept by Wisconsin last weekend, with one of those losses an 8-1 drubbing. They also take a look at a daunting stretch for the Gophers women's hockey team and some good news for the Wild, which looks to get back on the ice Friday. Outdoors columnist and editor Dennis Anderson also joins the show for an expanded look at the Gunflint Trail and the Star Tribune's special section Friday about that hallowed area in Northern Minnesota.

ESPN front office expert Bobby Marks joins Michael Rand for a breakdown of the Timberwolves' roster -- and what moves we might expect going into the trade deadline next month. Marks says there are reasons for optimism with the Wolves' young players but also says that just about anyone on the roster outside of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards should cause Wolves President Gersson Rosas to at least listen to a trade offer. Later on the show, Gophers freshman guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. joins to talk about the unique family history he shares with Richard Pitino and how he manages to avoid Twitter. Plus: If the Twins are done with their "heavy lifting," is it enough?

Ben Goessling joins Michael Rand for a breakdown of the Vikings' promotion of Klint Kubiak to offensive coordinator. Sorry to those who crave a Kirk Cousins trade; this move signals that the Vikings are trying to maximize Cousins in 2021, not send him away. We also debut a new segment "Where's the money, Brzezinski?" -- a deep look at the Vikings' salary cap. Plus: MLB is messing with the ball again; sports gambling explained! And a new Vikings mock draft.

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.