StribSports Daily Delivery

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.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two big games Monday, which saw the Wild and Wolves change course. The Wild had been struggling to hang on through key injuries, but they managed an important (if boring) 3-1 win over the Kings. The Wolves let a banged-up Indiana team snap their eight-game winning streak, a game that brought the return of some bad habits. 9:00: Marcus Fuller joins Rand for a look at the Gophers men's basketball coaching search. Niko Medved has emerged as the front-runner, but the Colorado State coach will lead his team in the NCAA tournament later this week. What is the timeline and what should we be watching for in the search? 33:00: The Vikings have done a lot of really good things in the last week, including a trade for running back Jordan Mason.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which begins with a look at where the Gophers men's basketball coaching search is at the moment. It sounds like former U assistant and current Colorado State coach Niko Medved is the front-runner, but timing will make things interesting this week. Plus Reusse and Rand get into the Timberwolves' eight-game winning streak and another ill-timed injury for the Twins' Royce Lewis. And the Wild are in free-fall while the Loons somehow coughed up a three-goal lead this weekend.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a second-day thought on the Gophers men's basketball coaching situation. AD Mark Coyle fired Ben Johnson after four seasons, and there's a long list of potential replacements. One guy who would probably be on the list and really is an ideal coach for this era: Richard Pitino, the guy Coyle fired four years ago, who is thriving at New Mexico and could be in line for the Virginia job. 8:00: Star Tribune writer Ben Goessling joins Rand to break down the latest on the Vikings' free agency moves, which mostly have been about upgrading their offensive and defensive lines. But one question that hasn't gone away yet: What about Aaron Rodgers? 34:00: The Wild are really struggling to score.

In Part two of Thursday's Daily Delivery podcast, Chip Scoggins and Michael Rand break down the news that Ben Johnson has been fired as Gophers men's basketball coach. What were the underlying causes? What didn't work with Johnson? Who will AD Mark Coyle try to target in his next hire? And how will a new coach benefit from increased money being pumped into the program?

It's a newsy day on Daily Delivery! On Part One, host Michael Rand starts with the overnight news that Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson has been fired. 8:00: The Wolves rolled the Nuggets by 20 for their sixth consecutive victory. 12:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins from Florida for an update on the Twins, including the sale of the team. 34:00: Aaron Rodgers just won't go away.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings, who are going for it in free agency. Themes that have emerged: J.J. McCarthy is going to be the guy at QB this year; interior line play on both sides of the ball has been bolstered; and the Vikings clearly see themselves as contenders in 2025. 12:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand to break down red-hot Minnesota, which has won five straight games heading into Wednesday's showdown against Denver. 28:00: Wayzata did it again, this time winning at Hopkins to take another boys basketball section final.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings, who have been very busy in free agency in the first 24 hours of negotiations. Letting Sam Darnold go (to Seattle) opened up a bunch of cap space, which the Vikings are using to beef up the interior of their offensive and defensive lines. It's a new era of Vikings football. 10:00: Star Tribune Gophers basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to break down the state of the men's team heading into the Big Ten Tournament. The 12th-seeded Gophers will play 13th-seeded Northwestern on Wednesday. Whenever the season ends, which could be very soon, a decision on Ben Johnson's future is sure to follow. 30:00: Listeners weigh in on the future of the Gophers men's basketball team.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Plenty of things happened on Sunday, but they had to start with the biggest one: Reusse joined the social media platform Bluesky after dumping Twitter/X after a dustup over a Beastie Boys song. They eventually got to sports, which included another strong Wolves victory (their fifth in a row), a Wild loss, a Gophers men's basketball loss and a surprising Gophers men's hockey defeat. Plus some thoughts on NFL free agency, with teams free to negotiate with players officially starting today even if they clearly have been negotiating for a while now. Where will QB Sam Darnold wind up?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild's second trade in the last week, this one for 6-6 Bruins forward Justin Brazeau. The move didn't clear salary cap space, so maybe more is to come for the Wild before Friday's trade deadline. Rand also looks at the boys' hockey state tournament and a big matchup Friday between Edina and Moorhead. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. With Neal in Florida for Twins spring training, this one was all about baseball. Three big Twins questions that sparked disagreement: Relying on the healthy of their three big players; the depth of the starting rotation; and just how good the bullpen really is. 26:00: A good result Thursday for the Twins and a listener in support of Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three basketball games from Wednesday. The Gophers women lost in the Big Ten Tournament opener against Washington, leaving their NCAA tournament hopes in jeopardy. The Gophers men lost at home to Wisconsin, but a bigger question about their future emerged. And Jaden McDaniels had 29 points in a Wolves win, continuing a stretch of excellence. 11:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down everything he learned during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Where do things stand with Sam Darnold? And who will the Vikings be targeting in the draft and free agency? 33:00: Defensive players to watch in free agency.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who produced a satisfying result Tuesday in a 126-112 win over Philadelphia. The game was tied late in the third quarter before Minnesota pulled away from the slumping, short-handed 76ers. Facing a bunch of beatable teams, can the Wolves lock in and stack up some wins? Plus Rand dissects the news that the Vikings didn't use the franchise tag on QB Sam Darnold. 10:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand for a look ahead to Friday's NHL trade deadline. The Wild, who won 4-3 late Tuesday at Seattle, are in a precarious place with their salary cap and with injuries to three of their top players. 30:00: Wednesday is a huge day for Gophers basketball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the complex world of NFL finances, which makes the Vikings' decision on whether to keep Sam Darnold far more difficult than it might have a generation or two ago. Plus an opportunity tonight for the Wild and Wolves, and why they can't afford a letdown. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a further exploration of Scoggins' recent project on the changing landscape of high school sports. Demographic shifts have altered the landscape, particularly in hockey. 24:00: Star Tribune high school sports reporter David La Vaque checks in with thoughts on the upcoming boys' hockey state tournament. 29:00: A big week for Gophers basketball.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included a much-needed victory for the Timberwolves on Sunday night in Phoenix. Reusse compares Anthony Edwards to Randy Moss, but not necessarily in a good way. From there, they get into a pair of 1-0 victories for the Wild and Loons, with Reusse decrying the lack of attacking spirit from Minnesota United. Bill Guerin is cranky about being asked all the time about injured stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. Plus thoughts on Gophers basketball, the Twins and Sam Darnold.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' loss to the Lakers on Thursday, which had a number of subplots. A report suggested that Dallas reached out to the Wolves about a Luka Doncic for Anthony Edwards trade before they dealt Doncic to the Lakers. Rand wonders if he would make that trade. Plus Ant picked up his 16th technical foul Thursday, earning an ejection and likely suspension for Friday's game. 10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling has all sorts of updates from the scouting combine in Indianapolis. We know how long Kevin O'Connell's contract is, and Goessling also learned things about other contract negotiations. Plus an update on Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins. 27:00: The Wild's slide.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers women's basketball team's loss to Washington on Wednesday, a blow to their NCAA tourney hopes. Minnesota lacks impressive victories this season and fell to 8-9 in conference play with the home loss. Plus Rand notes that Detroit has won eight straight games, meaning the Pistons are very likely to give up their first-round pick to the Timberwolves in the 2025 draft. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand on three subjects for their weekly debate segment: the impact of Justin Ishbia leaving the Twins ownership picture; whether the Gophers men's basketball team will even reach the Big Ten tournament; and whether the Vikings will use the franchise tag on Sam Darnold. 28:00: Players love the Vikings.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with comments from Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at the scouting combine Tuesday. Both are correct in asserting the Vikings still have options at quarterback, but the time is coming soon to make a decision. You'll hear their comments and have a chance to read between the lines. 11:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at where Minnesota stands after a thrilling comeback win over Oklahoma City. The Wolves should be getting healthy right when their schedule softens. Can they take advantage of the position they are in? 25:00: Disappointing losses for the Wild and Gophers men's basketball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' stunning comeback victory over West-leading Oklahoma City on Monday. Down 106-82 early in the fourth quarter, Minnesota stormed back to force overtime and eventually won 131-128. Jaden McDaniels continues to be a story for the Wolves, who according to Rand shouldn't fear anyone in the West. The Wild, on the flip side, got some concerning news about Kirill Kaprizov. 10:00: Star Tribune high school writer Cassidy Hettesheimer joins Rand on several subjects. They got into her project on the best rivalries in Minnesota high school sports, the recent girls' hockey state tournament and the season-to-date for the PWHL's Minnesota Frost. 30:00: What is the best-case scenario for the Twins and Chris Paddack?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which unfortunately for Minnesota teams did not include a lot of successful basketball. The Gophers took a bad loss to Penn State, while the Wolves lost twice coming out of the break. Where does each team stand after those results? We also learned that Justin Ishbia is no longer in the running to buy the Twins, having instead increased his investment in the White Sox. Reusse wants everyone to calm down and notes that while Ishbia was the only known suitor there is still interest in buying the team from others. Plus a little hockey and soccer talk at the end.

Introduction: On a wide-ranging edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand starts with Canada's 3-2 overtime victory over Team USA in the Four Nations championship game. Plus a look at the Timberwolves' relatively soft schedule in March and the breakup between MLB and ESPN. 10:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to preview the Minnesota United season, which begins Saturday at LAFC. Is this the year the Loons become legitimate contenders? 25:00: A listener has a perspective on Ben Johnson.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with an important win for the Gophers women's basketball team, which knocked off Purdue 74-61 on Wednesday to solidify its NCAA tournament status. Plus a look at the confidence of Anthony Edwards and the shakiness of Luka's Lakers. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: The Gophers have changed the narrative of their men's basketball season. What does that mean for coach Ben Johnson? Which team do you trust more in the playoffs -- the Wild or the Wolves? And what do we make of Total Golf Live? 28:00: Sam Darnold could be the next Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith. Is that what the Vikings really want?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers men's basketball team's stunning comeback in at UCLA late Tuesday. The Bruins missed their free throws and Minnesota capitalized, getting a huge performance from Dawson Garcia and three tremendous plays from Lu'Cye Patterson down the stretch. And UCLA coach Mick Cronin, denied his 500th career win, blamed ... the fans? 8:00: Kent Youngblood joins the show to talk about the Gophers women's basketball team, which desperately needs a win over Purdue to bolster its NCAA tournament case. Plus they look at the offseason work done by the Lynx and wonder who the five best players are in franchise history. 29:00: Why don't the Twins steal bases?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the beginning of the period during which NFL teams can place the franchise tag on players. Much of the intrigue centers on quarterback Sam Darnold, but Rand thinks we should be paying attention to Byron Murphy Jr. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to discuss his recent column on what athletes want from team owners. The subject takes them on a journey that examines the current (and soon-to-be) owners in the Twin Cities market. 31:00: St. Thomas men's basketball plus Gophers basketball.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. The live viewing options were sparse because of the worst scheduling coordination in pro sports history. Unless you wanted to watch the NBA All-Star Game (nope) or the Four Nations Tournament (maybe later), you were stuck between seasons. But they found plenty to talk about, still: The Twins begin their spring schedule on Saturday and still have a lot of questions to answer. The Gophers men's basketball team won at USC and revived a question about whether Ben Johnson has earned another year as their coach.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves' bounceback win over Oklahoma City, which gave them some good vibes going into the break. Young players have been stepping up lately. That bodes well for the future and also the present. Plus a near-comeback by the Gophers women's basketball team and a virtuoso performance by JuJu Watkins. 8:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand from Florida on a number of subjects. How do the recent free agent signings fit in with the club? What is the impact of the switch to MLB producing Twins games on TV in 2025, both for fans and finances? And what timeline should we expect for a new owner to be in place? 36:00: Two readers/listeners weigh in on Aaron Rodgers.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' 103-101 loss to a Bucks team that was missing its two best players. Sure, Minnesota is also shorthanded. But this was a loss they couldn't afford, and it came on a night where Anthony Edwards shot a dreadful 10 for 33. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. Their topics: The impact of the Wolves ownership decision; a move they want the Twins to make before spring training is over; and whether we owe Ed Donatell an apology. 26:00: Listeners weigh in on Donatell and the Twins, plus a note about Vikings free agency.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a listener question about Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson and the challenges he has faced. Rand also notes a tough ending for the Frost and another signing for the Twins. 12:00: Poetry is back! Rand and Keith Richotte Jr. revive their NFL poetry for the Super Bowl. 27:00: A dramatic reading of a long-lost letter and what remains unresolved for the Timberwolves.

Jeff Day and Michael Rand discuss and analyze Monday's news

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started with a Super Bowl blowout of epic proportions. The Eagles harassed Patrick Mahomes without ever blitzing him and scored at will on offense, piling up a 34-0 lead before Kansas City even crossed midfield. What did the game tell us about the Vikings? From there, they took a tour of the downtrodden Gophers men's basketball program, talked through a good win for the Gophers women's basketball team and set up a big day where the Timberwolves ownership dispute should be resolved.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild game he attended with friends on Thursday. Some of them were Carolina Hurricanes fans, and Rand explains why attending games with fans of the opposing team has its benefits and drawbacks. The Wild earned a 2-1 win while the Wolves came back to defeat the Rockets, important home victories for both teams. 11:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to break down the imminent start of the MLS season. Where does Minnesota United fit in? And what does it all have to do with the band Van Halen? 28:00: Kevin O'Connell is the NFL's Coach of the Year, Jared Allen is a Hall of Famer and the Gophers women's basketball team is in need of a victory.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the NBA, which continues to offer intrigue leading up to the trade deadline. The Timberwolves got a much-needed win Wednesday over the Bulls, but bigger things swirl around them. The Lakers, Warriors and Spurs all made blockbuster trades that could impact this year's playoff race. And the arbitration to determine the Wolves' ownership will be decided by Monday. 12:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand on three topics: Does Kansas City get more calls from NFL refs? Was the Mavericks/Lakers trade as lopsided as it seemed? And what is the percent chance Sam Darnold is the Vikings' Week 1 QB in 2025? 29:00: The Vikings lost a valuable offensive coach and the Twins signed another free agent.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twin signing relief pitcher Danny Coulombe to a modest one-year, $3 million deal. Normally that wouldn't be big offseason news, but it was the first free agent the Twins have signed. It's a low-risk deal, but how concerned should we be about Coulombe's elbow problems last year? Plus the Gophers men's basketball team picked up a road win. 6:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins the show to break down all the big story lines. The Wolves had a nice five-game winning streak, but now they have lost two in a row at home. Julius Randle is hurt. And they don't figure to do much (if anything) before Thursday's trade deadline. 30:00: Kevin Durant on the move? + The Wild can't score.

Host Michael Rand starts with a disappointing Wolves loss to Sacramento, which had just traded away point guard De'Aaron Fox. Instead of getting back on track against a weakened opponent, the Wolves dropped their second straight home game. Do they miss Julius Randle that much? Did Sacramento just play a really good game? A little of both is the answer. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a look at the three biggest offseason questions facing the Vikings: What will they do at quarterback? When (and with what terms) is GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah going to sign a contract extension? And what do the Vikings think they can be in 2025? 40:00: Ryan Hartman leaving the Wild short-handed.

On a jam-packed and sometimes meandering edition of the Daily Delivery podcast, Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand started with the bonkers NBA trade over the weekend that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas. Almost everyone thinks Dallas was crazy to make the deal, including Reusse and Rand. The Wolves took a very bad loss to Washington, even accounting for the fact that Minnesota was missing Anthony Edwards. The Gophers lost to a much different Washington, but that loss was almost as bad. St. Thomas men's basketball, meanwhile, keeps on rolling. And an early look at the Super Bowl mixed in with an old Reusse story.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two big back-to-back wins for the Wild and Wolves. Marc-Andre Fleury got a tremendous sendoff in Montreal and posted a 19-save shutout in the Wild's 4-0 victory. The Wolves clobbered Utah thanks to their bench. Both teams won both games of road back-to-backs, which is no easy feat. 13:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand to talk college hockey. The Gophers men are in good position in the rankings and PairWise but need to sort out some issues. Plus they look at the bigger picture of men's college hockey and major offseason news for Gophers football. 28:00: The Gophers women's hockey and basketball teams are playing the best of the best teams. And the Vikings need to get younger.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves' 121-113 victory over Phoenix late Wednesday, which included the first career ejection for head coach Chris Finch. He has been cranky the last few days, but his message seems to have hit the intended target as the Wolves have won four in a row and are five games above .500. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their debate segment. In focus this week: Can the Wild survive without Kirill Kaprizov (they did a good job Wednesday), will Brian Flores ever get another shot as a head coach and are the Twins right to be optimistic about their pitching? 31:00: Vikings free agents in focus, St. Thomas men's basketball stays hot at home.