StribSports Daily Delivery

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another sweep for the Twins. They have won eight games in a row and are above .500 after a wretched 7-15 start. The Wolves grinded out a 102-97 win over Golden State in Game 3 of their playoff series on Saturday. Wolves fans complained that it was ugly, but no playoff victory should get that description. Game 4 is Monday night. Plus a Loons win over Messi's Miami squad and another Frost playoff win as well.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves' 117-93 win over Golden State in Game 2 on Thursday. They could afford to cruise a little in that win because of Steph Curry's absence. They will need more gas in Games 3 and 4 in Golden State if they want to lock down a series in which they are the decided favorites. Plus the Twins won their fifth in a row, with Byron Buxton continuing to play at an elite level. 9:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to talk Minnesota United soccer. The Loons are slated to play Inter Miami on Saturday at Allianz Field. Will Lionel Messi be in Miami's lineup? 25:00: Ben Goessling reports that the Vikings are "likely" to play back-to-back international games this year in Dublin and London.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who have put together a 10-5 stretch after their awful 7-15 start. We've been focused on a lot of other things, but maybe the baseball team is starting to find its identity. 6:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the Daily Delivery debate on three subjects: Panic time for the Wolves; offseason priorities for the Wild; and Lionel Messi's star power. 25:00: The best and worst ways tonight's Wolves game could go were on display Wednesday, and the Frost dropped their playoff opener.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand does the show in reverse, starting with his interview with Gophers men's basketball coach Niko Medved. You'll learn what Medved loves about coaching, how he views his current players and what it is like to recruit in the modern game. He's been on the job only six weeks and it's been a whirlwind of activity. 22:00: Rand breaks down Wolves vs. Warriors and finds three things Minnesota must overcome to win the series. 28:00: The Twins look more like themselves.

Host Michael Rand starts with the volatility of the NBA conference semifinals, during which Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City all lost Game 1 of their series after being heavy favorites. Can the Timberwolves learn lessons from those games? 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to break down the matchup against Golden State and to spin ahead to what should be a busy offseason for the Wild. 30:00: The Frost are about to embark on a championship defense.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included Golden State's win over Houston on Sunday that set up the Western Conference semifinals against the Wolves. Between Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry and Draymond Green, there are a ton of storylines to devour as the series gets set to begin at Target Center on Tuesday. Plus Reusse and Rand get into the Twins, who disgusted Reusse so much Sunday that he shut off his TV before Minnesota rallied to beat Boston. And the Wild's postseason exit felt different this time.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who were eliminated in six games (again) after having a 2-1 series lead (again). This time it was Vegas, but the opponent doesn't seem to matter. The Wild will have money to spend this offseason, but nine straight postseason series losses suggest a deeper organizational problem than just finances. 9:00: Star Tribune writer and Wolves fan Jeff Day checks in with Rand on the five-game series win over the Lakers and expectations going forward. 31:00: The Twins are 1-6 in one-run games.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with five narratives the Wolves destroyed along with flattening the Lakers in five games. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment, focusing on the Wild, Lynx and Vikings. 32:00: The Twins sputtered on offense and the Frost kept their season alive.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break down the Wolves' five-game series win over the Lakers, capped by a 103-96 win in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild's latest playoff heartbreak, another overtime loss to Vegas. This time, with both the series and game tied 2-2, the Wild had a goal disallowed with 75 seconds left in regulation because of an off-sides call. They lost in overtime, and now their season is on the brink. Plus a tough Twins loss and J.J. McCarthy's bold proclamation. 8:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand to mostly talk about the Wolves' 3-1 series lead heading into Wednesday's Game 5 in Los Angeles. They also get into the Vikings' draft. 32:00: An Iowa fan thinks Rand forgot about something.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three points on the Wolves, who have a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Lakers but must keep their foot on the gas. The series is far from over, even as an intriguing one looms potentially in the next round against Golden State. Plus the Twins clobbered Cleveland, and many of the hard hit balls that were outs earlier this season are falling in now. 10:00: Sarah McLellan joins Rand to break down Wild vs. Vegas Game 5. It's obviously a huge one with the series tied 2-2. The Wild look primed to make a lineup change, while Vegas looks to be splitting up its top line. 30:00: The Lynx are still haunted by how 2024 ended. Can they channel that into more success this year?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started, naturally, with the Wolves' second consecutive thrilling home win over the Lakers, which gave Minnesota 3-1 series lead. Anthony Edwards was brilliant in a must-have game. Plus thoughts on the Wild, the Twins and a Vikings draft that at least one publication did not like at all.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break it down.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break it down postgame

Introduction: host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' decision Thursday to take Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson No. 24 overall. They seemed to have other options to trade down and add depth, but they chose a player that fit a need. Was that the right move? Did they play it too safe? The Wild, meanwhile, left no doubt. They clobbered Vegas 5-2 again to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference playoff series. Can they finish the job? 11:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to talk about another big Game 3, with the Wolves hosting the Lakers on Friday night. Can the Wolves bring "that third kind of heat?" 32:00: A big series for the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the NFL Draft and the first round Thursday in Green Bay. The Vikings are on the clock at No. 24 with a range of options. The best one is probably to trade down and accumulate more picks to bolster depth they don't have now and will need in the future. 8:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their Daily Delivery debate. The big question: Who do you have more faith in to win their first round playoff series, the Wolves or Wild? And what are the percent chances one, both or neither team advances? 31:00: A Twins win and a must-read from Patrick Reusse.

Host Michael Rand tackles four big subjects on today's episode: A 5-2 victory in Game 2 at Vegas helped the Wild even their series at 1-1 heading back to St. Paul. Should we be optimistic about the series overall? The Wolves let an opportunity slip away in a 94-85 loss in Game 2 against the Lakers. They will need an offensive recalibration in Game 3 Friday at Target Center. Emily Leiker joins Rand to set up the Vikings' options in the draft. Byron Buxton called game for the Twins.

Michael Rand and Ryan Kostecka break down the Game 2 loss by the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two listener questions about the NFL Draft, including one that wonders if they need to function more like Rick Spielman this year. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a breakdown of a 7-15 team that is facing a big week with home games against the White Sox and Angels. If the Twins are still struggling after this week, sound the alarm. 32:00: The Wolves and Wild are playing very late tonight. Here are the keys to both playoff games.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included Game 1 for both the Wolves and Wild. The Wolves won in a rout over the Lakers while Wild fell 4-2 to Vegas, but Reusse liked the way both looked. Rand, on the other hand, senses a short series coming for the Wild. Plus Reusse unloads on the Twins after they were swept in Atlanta and pays homage to a high school basketball coaching legend.

Michael Rand, Chip Scoggins and Ryan Kostecka break down the Wolves' 117-95 victory in Game 1 over the Lakers on Saturday.

On Part II of Friday's Daily Delivery extravaganza, Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins host Michael Rand to set up the playoff series between Minnesota and Vegas.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts Part I of Friday's podcast with the Vikings. With less than a week to go before the draft, where are they at in their preparation? GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talked to reporters Thursday. Plus Aaron Rodgers also talked Thursday, shedding some light on his contact with the Vikings. 9:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to break down Wolves vs. Lakers. 28:00: A top prospect joins the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the latest Twins win and his own history of watching bad baseball. From the Atlanta Braves of the 1980s to the Twins of the late 1990s, some of his biggest investments have been with teams that had little to no chance of winning. 11:00: Claire de Lune, a musician and write who covers the Lakers for The Guardian, joins Rand to help set up the playoff series between the Wolves and Lakers. It's a matchup of star power vs. depth, with the Lakers carrying the designation of being the favorites. 36:00: Anthony Edwards is locked in.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who can't seem to do anything the easy way. But a goal with 22 seconds left in their final regular-season game clinched a playoff spot. Can they compete with Vegas, a team against which they went 0-3 during the regular season, in the playoffs? Plus a look at schedules reveals it is going to be bonkers around here next week between the Wild, Wolves and NFL Draft. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: Wolves vs. Lakers, Twins vs. themselves and Niko Medved vs. the transfer portal. 33:00: Byron Buxton looks like himself again.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who lost again and now sit at 5-12. Three things stand out: Their pitchers have committed six errors this season, twice as many as any other staff in the majors; the smallest announced crowd in non-Covid Target Field history watched Monday's game; and the Twins are tied for their worst start in franchise history. Plus the Lynx made significant moves during Monday's WNBA Draft and Paige Bueckers went No. 1 overall to Dallas, as expected. 10:00: Marcus Fuller joins Rand to break down Niko Medved's work in the transfer portal so far this season. With six new transfer additions and more to come, where do the Gophers stand? 35:00: A big night with clear stakes for the Wild.

Chip Scoggins pinch hits for Patrick Reusse on Monday's episode with host Michael Rand. They start with the Wolves' win over Utah on Sunday, which set up a playoff matchup against the Lakers. Game 1 of the series is Saturday, with the Wolves needing to find a way to stop Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Can they stay composed enough to use their depth to their advantage? Plus the Wild had a huge win in Vancouver on Saturday, leaving them on the verge of clinching a playoff berth. The Twins are staggering at the plate, even after a good win Sunday. And Rory McIlroy had a Sunday to remember at Augusta.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' big 141-125 win over Memphis on Thursday, which included a huge third quarter and a better finish than Tuesday's meltdown against Milwaukee. Mike Conley was the steadying force as the Wolves assured themselves of no worse than the No. 6 seed (and likely better) if they win their last two games. The Twins, on the other hand, dropped to 4-9. That's the same pace as their 12-27 collapse at the end of last year. 10:00: Ben Goessling joins Rand to share Vikings insights gleaned from last week's Florida meetings. The two biggest questions at this point: What will they do in the draft? And where will they land with a second quarterback? 35:00: One possible backup QB for the Vikings is off the board.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who really couldn't have asked for much more on Wednesday. Injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returned and combined for six goals. The Wild needed everyone one of them, including Kaprizov's overtime winner, in a bonkers 8-7 victory. They gained ground in the playoffs and are close to securing a berth. Meanwhile the Twins had a night of similarly good news in a 4-0 win. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III on the Twins, Wolves and Wild. 30:00: The Wolves have put themselves in close to a must-win situation tonight.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the epic meltdown by the Timberwolves, who lost a 24-point fourth quarter lead in a loss to Milwaukee. The Bucks threw a zone defense at the Wolves, who proceeded to look like a middle school squad. The most embarrassing part was that the Wolves, who desperately needed a win, didn't seem all that embarrassed. Plus the Twins lost a game with shoddy defense right around the time the Wolves were falling apart. They are 3-8 on the season. 9:00: Sarah McLellan joins Rand for a look at the Wild, who have four games left to try to hang onto their playoff spot. Will injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek return? 30:00: The Nuggets did what?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who fell to 3-7 with another sad loss to the Royals. Rocco Baldelli was ejected, bringing to mind another angry manager: the leader of the Durham Bulls in the fictional movie Bull Durham, who lamented that baseball is a simple game. "You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball." The Twins aren't good at any of those things right now. 9:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to break down the final four games of the Wolves season and the very crowded playoff race. 32:00: Florida wins the title and the Gophers land a recruit.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand look at the weekend in sports, starting with the Twins. They were three outs away from mostly erasing the bad vibes from their 0-4 start, but a late Astros rally thwarted those vibes and put the Twins at 3-6. The pitching hasn't been nearly as good as advertised so far, and the defense is worrisome. On a happier note, the Wild got a huge two points over Dallas, local superstar Paige Bueckers won an NCAA title and the Wolves found some more company in the crowded Western Conference playoff race.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with naming rights for Williams Arena, which the Gophers are pursuing as a revenue source. How much money would it bring in and what does it mean for the future of the building? Plus two listeners sound off on the idea of rehanging the 1997 Final Four banner. 8:00: The Wolves won in Brooklyn, keeping pace in the extremely competitive West. 12:00: Phil Miller joins from Target Field after the Twins' loss to the Astros in their home opener. Minnesota is 2-5 and its offense looks flat. 29:00: A look at the Wild's playoff push.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who won their second straight game after four losses to start the year. Harrison Bader has three homers already, making a bid for some more playing time. Plus the Wolves and Lynx sale moved one step closer to being official. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins for the Daily Delivery Debate on the Vikings, Twins and Wolves. 31:00: A championship for the Gophers and a point for the Wild

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two dramatic wins on Tuesday. The Wolves fended off Denver and some of their own mistakes to prevail 140-139 in double overtime. It was a huge win in the playoff race, and it came with more twists and turns than one could imagine. Plus the Twins finally got their first win of the season, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to beat the White Sox 8-3. 13:00: Kent Youngblood joins the show to set up the Gophers women's basketball team playing Belmont in the WBIT championship game Wednesday. 30:00: A listener who used to work at Williams Arena shares the story of taking down the Final Four banner a quarter-century ago.

Host Michael Rand starts with the 0-4 Twins, who have been outscored 28-6 to start the season. Manager Rocco Baldelli was preaching patience after the latest drubbing, a 9-0 loss Monday to the White Sox, but this season is already at an urgent point before April began. 8:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to break down the good start by Minnesota United, to talk about the U.S. Men's National Team and to discuss the similarities and differences between the MLS TV model and what MLB might eventually want to do. 36:00: Kevin O'Connell's first comments on Aaron Rodgers, a key point for the Wild and Minnesota women's hoops in the spotlight.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started with the Twins, who had about as bad an opening series as possible in getting swept by the Cardinals. The starting pitching was largely bad. The offense was nonexistent. And the defense was suspect. We shouldn't overreact, Reusse says, but we also shouldn't underreact. Plus a discussion of the new "torpedo" bats that are helping the Yankees hit homers, the Wolves brawling (and winning) against Detroit and a young defenseman who should give the Wild a lift in a couple weeks.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers men's hockey team, which neither made its own luck nor received any good fortune in the third period and overtime of a 5-4 NCAA tournament loss to UMass that ended their season Thursday. Was their passive approach or officiating to blame? Two things can be true at the same. Rand also dives into the Twins' opener and their brave new world of television, which included some good and bad from their 5-3 loss. 13:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus this week: Niko Medved, Twins predictions and the Wild's playoff push. 35:00: A great win for the Wild and a good win for Gophers women's basketball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins TV situation, which frustratingly went down to the wire but was resolved just before this episode went live. We know what channels and carriers they will be on for Opening Day today and beyond. Plus Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah discussed J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday. We know where they stand, but the situation is still fluid. 14:00: Star Tribune Wolves writer Chris Hine joins the show to talk about the final nine games of the season. The Wolves have five opponents they should beat and four that will be a bigger challenge. Which set of games is more daunting? 36:00: The Gophers men's hockey team heads to Fargo for NCAA regional play.

Host Michael Rand starts with Niko Medved's opening news conference. He came off as a genuine person and certainly didn't shy away from how much money it takes to win in college basketball these days. But the big question came late: Will you play St. Thomas? He seems open to it, which is a good thing. Plus, former Gophers coach Richard Pitino reportedly is on the move, too. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins to talk about the season, which starts Thursday in St. Louis. Plus an update on the sale of the team and TV plans. 35:00: A loss for the Wild has made their playoff position a bit precarious.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who lost for the third time in four games. While this one was more forgivable in result (at Indiana), the style of play and focus lately have been lacking. It's a bad development for a team trying to fight for a playoff spot. Plus the Wild also lost. They have a very tough week coming up. 11:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a breakdown of why the Gophers hired Niko Medved as well as an examination of where the money is going to come from as athletic budgets venture into new territory. 26:00: A finalized Twins roster reveals a couple surprises and one big issue.

On a special Monday afternoon edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand and columnist Chip Scoggins break down the news that the Gophers men's basketball program has hired Colorado State's Niko Medved as the next coach.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which starts with a game between Colorado State and Maryland. A buzzer-beater loss for Colorado State on Sunday means head coach Niko Medved is available. Will the Gophers hire him as soon as Monday? Plus a larger look at big schools dominating the NCAA men's basketball tournament and a preview of the Gophers men's hockey team in the NCAA tourney as well as the Twins starting their season this week.

Host Michael Rand starts with the dominance of Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M) and Elijah Hawkins (Texas Tech) on the first day of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Both ex-Gophers left for more NIL money this past offseason, which had a direct impact on Ben Johnson eventually getting fired. 10:00: Minnesota United soccer manager Eric Ramsay joins the show to talk about adjusting to Major League Soccer, his path to get here and what he has learned from other Minnesota teams. 34:00: Two key injuries and one big game.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who gave away another game to an inferior opponent on Wednesday in a 119-115 loss to the Pelicans. Turnovers and rebounding did the Wolves in, which speaks to a lack of maturity. Plus the Wild had a completely opposite game and the Gophers lost a player to the transfer portal. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. This one is in the Gophers men's basketball program, quarterbacks and Royce Lewis.

Host Michael Rand starts with a bit of a curious rant about the flexibility MLB managers seem to crave when it comes to carrying a third catcher. It was a popular thing during Ron Gardenhire's time with the Twins, and now it seems Rocco Baldelli has been inflicted with the virus. Plus Rand looks at some fresh reports about Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings. 10:00: Star Tribune writer Randy Johnson joins Rand on three subjects: Gophers football, which begins spring practice this week; Gophers men's hockey, which awaits its NCAA fate; and Gophers wrestling. 27:00: An opportunity for the Wild, Wolves and Gophers women's hockey.