StribSports Daily Delivery

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. The big discussion point, and a debate that will rage for a while, is whether the Lions and head coach Dan Campbell erred in being too aggressive on fourth down attempts -- aiding a San Francisco comeback victory in Sunday's NFC title game. Reusse boils it down succinctly: Campbell was an idiot...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand took note of two results Thursday and tried to put them in perspective. The Wolves won ugly against Brooklyn, but grinding out road wins against bad teams is essential for two reasons: proving they can sustain a high level for a full year and gaining a top-four seed in the Western Conference. The Wild's loss to Nashville, meanwhile, was another sign they just aren't...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand tries to connect the dots on three intriguing national stories. First, longtime NFL play-by-play voice Joe Buck said this week that declaring the touchdown and fake moon by Randy Moss was a "disgusting act" is the one call he'd most like to have back in his career. Plus the Milwaukee Bucks changed coaches even in the midst of success and the Chargers hired Jim Harba...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at two damaging Gophers basketball losses to the Badgers on Tuesday. The men had a chance to change momentum but again had another close loss. The women, meanwhile, might rue their three-point loss in Wisconsin by the time the season ends. Plus Rand is done trying to figure out the suddenly hot Wild. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand to talk a littl...

Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand after Tuesday's news that Twins great Joe Mauer has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot. The final margin was tight -- he cleared the bar by four votes, being named on 76.1% of ballots -- but the honor is undeniable. The St. Paul kid who spent his entire career with the Twins will be enshrined in Cooperst...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts the show with the Timberwolves, who got 62 points from Karl-Anthony Towns but lost to the terrible Charlotte Hornets on Monday at Target Center. Afterward, head coach Chris Finch blasted the team for its immature approach and "disgusting" defensive effort. 10:00: Rand is joined by Star Tribune writer Kent Youngblood for a midyear check-in on the surging Gophe...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They started with the NFL playoffs and a batch of compelling division round games. It could have been an all-NFC North title game, but the Packers choked against the 49ers and came up short in their upset bid. The Lions, meanwhile, dispatched Tampa Bay. In the AFC, quarterback excellence was on...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three local teams who were in action Thursday, painting a Dennis Green-esque picture. The Wolves, Wild and Gophers men's basketball teams? They are who we thought they were at the start of the year. The Wolves are very good. The Wild and Gophers still have a long way to go. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for an in-depth look at the...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand hates to pile on the Vikings (at least that's what he says), but he came across an evaluation recently of the Vikings' rookie classes in 2023 and 2022 and came away with a pretty easy evaluation: The Vikings didn't get nearly enough from their young players either year, and it's a major reason they are falling behind in the NFC North. 12:00: Randy Johnson joins the...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gives the latest update on the Twins' TV situation with another new twist. Diamond Sports, which seemed to be preparing to wind down its operations, instead has a new influx of cash from settling a lawsuit with Sinclair and an investment from Amazon, which could keep it operating beyond 2024. The upshot? The Twins' TV plans in 2024 are on hold again, and the bigger...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand asks two questions at the start of the show. First: What in the world happened to the Eagles this season? Second: What do the eight remaining quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs tell us about the path the Vikings should (or shouldn't) take this offseason? 9:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at the Wolves, who seem to have steadied themselves...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included two pretty important NFL playoff games Sunday. The Packers routed the heavily favored Cowboys, adding even more fuel to Jordan Love's ascent. The Lions, meanwhile, won their first playoff game in more than three decades. The Vikings look like they could be the fourth-best team in...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand listens back on Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's season-ending news conference and receives confirmation of the crux of this offseason. The Vikings like Kirk Cousins, and Cousins likes the Vikings. But whether there is a contract that suits both sides is another question -- one that from Rand's perspective leads to the answer of "no." 9:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil M...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was almost ready to believe the Timberwolves were true championship contenders before they faltered down the stretch of a wonderful game at Boston. It doesn't mean they won't get there, nor does it mean we can't give the credit for a great short-handed effort. But they still have things to prove. 10:00: The Wolves are feeling some of the same shift in expectations t...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the Timberwolves, who only have one game left on a grueling 16-game test. They are 9-6 so far after a romp over Orlando on Tuesday. They have already passed the test, and the better news is they have the second-easiest remaining schedule in the NBA while already carrying the best record in the Western Conference. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand can't believe Aaron Rodgers would say what he said Monday, but then again he can. At the very least, it gave him an idea about self-awareness as it relates to the Jets quarterback -- who will, by the way, face the Vikings in 2024. 8:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down the film on the Vikings one more time. Consider this more of a season in review as they loo...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included the merciful end to a disjointed Vikings season. Now that it's over, let's hope there is an honest reckoning with the roster and a true path forward, which should include a future without Kirk Cousins. The next few months could be as important as any during the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah...

Introduction: The Gophers men's basketball team earned a huge win Thursday at Michigan, further validating the improvements they've made in Year 3 under Ben Johnson. Balanced scoring was again the key, as was a big defensive stop to preserve a 73-71 victory. Just how good can this team be? Plus the Wild lost again, sending their losing streak to four games. 9:00: Rachel Blount joins host Michael R...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the history of the Timberwolves, which has included 12 seasons that have ended with 24 wins or fewer. That's how many wins the Wolves have now -- after 33 games. Their most recent efforts in a 24-9 season have been lacking, though, including a loss to New Orleans on Wednesday. As fans grumble through this lull, it's a lesson in expectations. 9:00: Star Trib...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the Wild and their first adversity under new head coach John Hynes. Can they stop a three-game losing streak even without some of their top players? And how much of a difference is there between a top player and a replacement-level player? 7:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film from Sunday's 33-10 loss to the Packers. There...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for the first show of 2024, which takes a long look at the Vikings after their 33-10 loss to the Packers on Sunday. Rookie Jaren Hall looked overmatched at quarterback, throwing the quarterback situation again into disarray. But does that mean Kirk Cousins should be the answer in 2024? Plus Reusse and Rand get into the College Football...

Star Tribune writer and editor Jeff Day joins host Michael Rand to pick the 10 best moments in Minnesota sports in 2023. Some of the selections are obvious, some are a surprise and one -- from Rand -- might even be a little petty. But agree or disagree, it was fun to think back on all that happened. Stick around at the end for some bonus talk about big-picture goals for 2024.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand found Thursday night to be a blueprint of sorts for the Wild, Wolves and Gophers men's basketball team -- all of whom won their games. The Wild got huge contributions from their core of young players. The Wolves and Gophers had all five starters in double-figures. Top players logged heavy minutes, but they also produced and earned that time. 9:00: Star Tribune outdo...

Introduction: The Timberwolves lost at Philadelphia on Wednesday and didn't like the officiating. It felt a little like a game from last season, but we have to remember that even good teams are going to have an off night in an 82-game season -- especially when playing on the road against another goad team. 5:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand for an evaluation...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand certainly didn't expect the Wild to beat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday, but the old cliche "that's why they play the games" was true. In what could have been a moment of fraying in the locker room after an awkward handling of goalies in back-to-back games instead could become a rallying point for the season. Plus, don't expect to see Aaron Rodgers anytime th...