StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: With so much going on in Minnesota sports, host Michael Rand decided to split Tuesday's content into two episodes. But he still started with the biggest story, of course: The Wild's 3-2 double overtime win late, late late against Dallas on Monday (technically Tuesday). A team that rebuilt its style to perform better in the postseason was rewarded in a big way in Game 1. 13:00: There...

Host Michael Rand was joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look at a busy stretch in Minnesota sports. The Wolves were clobbered 109-80 in their playoff opener late Sunday, and Reusse saw it coming. He turned it off midway through the second quarter, sparing himself some of the worst of it and adding a little extra sleep. Minnesota looked tired and lifeless. Can they be more compe...

Host Michael Rand went late, late, late with a special edition of the podcast after a 120-95 victory by Timberwolves over Oklahoma City in Friday's win-or-go-home play-in game at Target Center. What it means: The Wolves are in the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003 and 2004; they will open their series Sunday in Denver while the Wild opens Monday in Dallas, but Games 2-5...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes that pretty much everything has been settled regarding the NBA and NHL playoffs -- unless you live in Minnesota. The Wild and Wolves still don't know their playoff fate heading into Friday night. Will the Wolves get in? And who will the Wild play? The answer could lead to Colorado in both cases. Plus the Twins scored nine runs in the first inning at Yankee Sta...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand headed to Target Field for the first time this season on Wednesday to take in some baseball and to more accurately feel the impact of the pace of play rules implemented this season. What he found wasn't unexpected -- a crisper, faster game -- and it reinforced that he will be back sooner rather than later. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand walks listeners through the disappointment of the Timberwolves' 108-102 overtime loss to the Lakers in Tuesday's play-in game. Even if they came in shorthanded -- by their own doing, mostly -- the game was there to take. But they squandered a 15-point lead and now face the possibility of elimination on Friday. 11:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at what the Lynx were able to do with the No. 2 overall pick and four more choices in Monday's WNBA Draft. Combined with comments about the roster from head coach/President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve, a new era seems on the way. 7:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand after an eventful 48 hours. Rudy Gobert took a swing at Kyle A...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at an extremely eventful weekend in sports. They of course started with the Timberwolves' dramatic Game 82 on Sunday, which included Rudy Gobert taking a swing at teammate Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels taking a swing at a wall and the Wolves surviving to win and get a spot as the No. 8 seed in the play-in tournament. It...

The top-seeded Gophers men's hockey team led 2-0 midway through the national championship game Saturday against Quinnipiac and was poised to capture its first title in 20 years. But then everything changed, as host Michael Rand and Star Tribune Gophers writer Randy Johnson talk about. Minnesota couldn't sustain offense and tried to hang on for dear life. A late goal tied it and a very fast overtim...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched Thursday's NCAA men's hockey semifinal between the Gophers and Boston University through the lens of a fatalistic Minnesota sports viewer. It seemed like one of those games where everything was stacking up against a local team ... right up until the third period, when the Gophers pulled away for a 6-2 victory that has them on the brink of their first nationa...

Introduction: Diamond Sports missed a payment to the Twins at the start of the season for the right to show games on Bally Sports North. As a result, Major League Baseball reportedly filed a temporary injunction in Diamond's bankruptcy case that would force either payment to the Twins by April 13 or allow the league to take over broadcasts. It's all part of an escalation that could usher in a new...

Host Michael Rand notes at the top of the show the latest twist in a bizarre Timberwolves season. After losing to a tanking Portland team on Sunday at home, the Wolves went on the road and beat a good Nets team. That win gave the Wolves new life in the playoff race and clinched at least a spot in the play-in tournament. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan joins Rand from Augusta where competin...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the disappointing Timberwolves season (so far) and tries to discern where to direct the blame. He settles on four key people: GM Tim Connelly, head coach Chris Finch and big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. 14:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand in advance of the Frozen Four, where the No. 1 overall seed Gophers are trying to win their first NCAA title in 2...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Included in the mix: *An all-time bad loss by the Timberwolves to the Blazers, which severely damaged Minnesota's playoff hopes and raises new questions about the offseason. *The Twins starting 3-0 -- in three crisp and brisk games. *A tremendous women's basketball Final Four.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gives gratitude on MLB's opening day for the pace of play changes made in the offseason. As a longtime baseball fan, Rand says he is far more likely to attend a game this year than in recent seasons. 4:00: Musician and NBA writer Clarie De Lune joins Rand for a breakdown of the Lakers ahead of Friday's huge game against the Wolves at Target Center. It's as fun an NB...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand makes a run through two very important games Wednesday that had two very different outcomes. The Wild fended off the Avalanche 4-2 to stay in first place in the Central Division. Meanwhile, the Wolves were left fuming after a 107-100 loss to Phoenix -- with Rudy Gobert going off on perceived favoritism he sees with officiating. 9:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand on a nu...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand is still trying to discern the Vikings' offseason plan. It's late March, still several months from the start of the season. There is another wave of free agency and the draft to come. New players will obviously be added. But the overall vision of trying to rebuild while being competitive seems a lot muddier than it should be. 8:00: Twins beat writer Phil Miller join...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand recaps Monday's big wins for the Wolves and Wild over Sacramento and Seattle, respectively. The Wolves are now in sixth place in the West and the Wild are first in the Central Division. How both teams have been winning is impressive, but there is a lot of work ahead -- including more big games for both on Wednesday. 10:00: Star Tribune men's college basketball write...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Reusse made the trek to Fargo, N.D., for the men's hockey region final and saw the Gophers fend off St. Cloud State in a 4-1 victory for a berth in the Frozen Four. The depth, talent and determination of this year's Gophers team told the story. 12:00: The Timberwolves earned a big win over the W...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was surprised free agent corner Duke Shelley signed with the Raiders, particularly if it meant the Vikings didn't do more to try to keep him. In a decent sample size, he was the team's best cover corner last season, and the Vikings can use all the help they can get in the secondary. Plus a recap of the Gophers men's hockey team's 9-2 win and the Big Ten's ongoing st...

Introduction: Karl-Anthony Towns couldn't have scripted his return much better than what transpired Wednesday. After missing more than 50 games, he returned to an ovation at Target Center -- and later made the game-winning free throws with three seconds left in a 125-124 win over Atlanta. Is the mystery and cynicism over his absence forgotten? 8:00: Former Gophers men's hockey player Casey Hankins...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some appreciation of Wild forward Matt Boldy, who has six goals and four assists in six games since Kirill Kaprizov's injury -- including the game-winning goal with barely any time left in overtime against New Jersey on Tuesday. Plus, is this the night that Karl-Anthony Towns returns for the Wolves? 7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand cautioned on Monday's show not to write off the Wolves, and he was proven correct just hours later when a short-handed squad -- still missing Karl-Anthony Towns and now also Anthony Edwards -- defeated the Knicks 140-134. We also learned some contradictory information about Towns, but more importantly that he's very close to returning. 9:00: Rand goes in-depth on th...

Host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse take a trip through the weekend in sports, which included two losses for the Timberwolves and an ankle sprain for star Anthony Edwards. With just 10 games left in the regular season, time is running out for the depleted Wolves. 12:00: The Gophers men's hockey team lost the Big Ten title game to Michigan, but Reusse still thinks this is a...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand runs through all the amazing things about the Wild's 14-game point streak, which has spanned a roster overhaul, an injury to Kirill Kaprizov and several different types of wins. Through it all, the Wild are now in great shape to win the Central Division. 7:00: The Vikings had a busy Thursday, but Friday figures to be even more interesting. 11:00: Take a trip down ho...