StribSports Daily Delivery

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They start with the NFL playoffs, which featured two overtime games and two relative duds. What did we learn about the NFC North and the Vikings' path in 2026? Plus thoughts on the Wild, Wolves, Twins and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand doesn't care how long it takes. Shut down MLB after this season until there's a salary cap. There's no other reasonable course of action after seeing what the Dodgers continue to do, including signing Kyle Tucker for $60 million a year. Plus a rough patch for the Wild and Ant out tonight for the Wolves. 9:00: Chip Scoggins joins the show on two big subjects: A Gophers men's basketball revival under Niko Medved and the notion that the Vikings could cut ties this offseason with J.J. McCarthy. 36:00: Sam Darnold on the injury report and the closing of the portal.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a narrative shift around the Wolves and just how important (and emphatic) their win over the Bucks on Tuesday was. Two big games in Texas await them starting Friday. Plus a minor Twins move and a Gophers women's basketball loss. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a Vikings discussion. There was a lot to unpack from Tuesday's season-ending news conference, including QB questions, Brian Flores discussion and a Jordan Addison conundrum. 32:00: John Harbaugh to the Giants.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a dissection of remarks made about 2026 QB plans by Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. 13:00: Sarah McLellan on the Wild's big-picture strength contrasted against their recent dip. 31:00: Joan Beringer arrived for the Wolves; the Gophers lost a heartbreaker.

Host Michael Rand starts with why he thinks Aaron Rodgers to the Vikings in 2026 makes more sense than it did in 2025. What we don't know is whether Rodgers wants to play another year after losing Monday in the playoffs with Pittsburgh. 10:00: Chris Hine joins Rand for a lengthy Wolves discussion. 36:00: No Ant and no Gobert tonight for Minnesota.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Another playoff clunker for the Chargers had Reusse fired up about whether Justin Herbert could be available to the Vikings this offseason. Plus an impressive Wolves comeback, a Gophers women's hoops win and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at Anthony Edwards, who on Thursday became the third-youngest player to reach 10,000 points behind just LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Plus a Wild win at the end of a long road trip and another massive departure for Minnesota United. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins for a breakdown of his recent list of the top 10 Twins prospects. How soon might some of them arrive in the majors, and what will they need to work on the most to get here? 38:00: Joe Ryan and the Twins might be headed for arbitration.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with early Thursday news that the Ravens have asked to interview Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for their head coaching vacancy. Plus Koi Perich has visits scheduled with some big-time programs. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins for the Daily Delivery debate. In focus: Are the Wolves for real, are Niko Medved's Gophers good and are the Twins up to anything? 31:00: Trae Young trade and a good Wolves stat.

Introduction: Off of big wins on Tuesday for both teams, host Michael Rand asks questions about the Timberwolves and Gophers men's hoops squads. 10:00: Chip Scoggins joins to talk Vikings quarterbacks and college football. 33:00: A surprise coaching move means one more opening for Brian Flores.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some hockey talk, including the Wild and World Junior tournament. 5:00: Andrew Krammer joins for the final installment of the Vikings film review, followed by Rand digressing into a broader sports discussion. 30:00: Vikings poetry, another farewell. 43:00: Sid Hartman's honor.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports.

Whereby I imagine someone was in a coma and missed -- some would say blissfully -- the entire Vikings season and only just woke up minutes after the 16-3 win over the Packers.

Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III and host Michael Rand go back and forth in the final episode of 2025. They'll combine to pick the top 10 players currently on Minnesota pro sports teams.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a night of winning for Minnesota teams. The Wolves routed the Bulls and the Wild routed Vegas, reminding us of how much both teams have grown. Plus the Gophers women's and men's basketball teams both won as well. 11:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down the Vikings' most recent win and to take a big-picture look at the roster. 32:00: Kevin Williams receives a big honor.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Their focus started with the Vikings, who haven't played since Thursday but have won four straight games after a dreadful 4-8 start. The big question: What have we learned in a very strange season? Plus thoughts on the Wolves, Wild, Gophers and more.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dissects Kevin O'Connell's Tuesday news conference in which he announced J.J. McCarthy has a hairline fracture on his throwing hand. 13:00: Randy Johnson joins the show from Arizona to set up the Gophers bowl game and the World Junior hockey tournament. 26:00: The Twins are No. 1 at something.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three questions from readers, all of them about the NFL. 8:00: Andrew Krammer's film review from the Vikings' win over the Giants leads to all sorts of questions. 28:00: Vikings poetry. 43:00: An emerging TV headache for Wolves, Wild?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports.

Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins and host Michael Rand chat with St. Thomas AD and 2025 Star Tribune Sportsperson of the Year Phil Esten.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the news that Kevin Garnett and the Wolves have mended their relationship. KG will join the team as an ambassador and will have his jersey retired at some point. After a decade of strained feelings, this is right. Plus the Wild are No. 3 in their division -- and the entire NHL -- after another win Thursday. 10:00: Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a dissection of the big Twins news this week. 29:00: The Seahawks won a wild one over the Rams; even if the Vikings had been better this year, they wouldn't be a playoff team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the big news from the Twins. Not only did they introduce their new limited partners, but also they shifted from one Pohlad (Joe) to another (Tom) as their top executive. Where are they headed now? Plus a bad Wolves loss leaves head coach Chris Finch perplexed and concerned. 11:00: Strib Varsity's Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about his recent story on a 17-year-old basketball referee and to break down all the top high school teams. 29:00: Star goalie Dayne St. Clair is leaving Minnesota United.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with thoughts on J.J. McCarthy and how he has made big throws while limiting mistakes each of the last two weeks. Plus do we need to take Bones Hyland seriously? 10:00: The Daily Delivery debate with La Velle E. Neal III on the Vikings, Wild and Twins. 33:00: Quinn Hughes and the Wild keep rolling.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins' free agent signing of Josh Bell. They committed $7 million to him, the most they've spent since 2023. That's a sign for 2026 and an indictment of the recent past. 7:00: Vikings poetry, with some bonus Quinn Hughes talk. 26:00: Kevin O'Connell's lament.

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins, who is pinch hitting for Patrick Reusse. They had plenty to get to, including the Vikings' win over Dallas, the Wild's blockbuster trade for Quinn Hughes and a Wolves discussion. It might have been the best weekend for Minnesota sports in a while.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild's nice win over Dallas, continuing a trend of playing better against stronger competition. Plus a look at Vikings QBs of the past and present -- and perhaps the future? 9:00: Bobby Nightengale joins Rand fresh off a trip to the Winter Meetings in Orlando. There are plenty of Twins notes to unpack. 30:00: The Gophers volleyball team ran into a buzzsaw.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand lays out why he thinks Dallas is the perfect opponent this weekend for the Vikings and QB J.J. McCarthy. Plus a Gophers volleyball opportunity, a basketball loss and Michigan's coaching situation. 9:00: Star Tribune Wild writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand for a check-in ahead of Thursday's game vs. Dallas. Can the Wild withstand a rash of recent injuries and find their form? 27:00: Steph Curry is returning to face the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand tries to connect the dots on the Twins' offseason plan and comes up wondering what exactly they hope to accomplish. 7:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a college football discussion, ranging from Notre Dame to Indiana to the Gophers. 27:00: Randy Johnson hops on for more college football talk, including some transfer portal news with the Gophers. 38:00: Can Niko Medved's Gophers shock the world again?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has some thoughts on Rudy Gobert, Rob Dillingham and the Wolves after a 108-105 loss to the Suns. Plus the Wild salvaged a win at the end of a tough road trip and the Twins are looking for lottery luck today. 8:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down the film from Sunday's 31-0 Vikings win. Is this a sign of J.J. McCarthy getting more comfortable, an incredibly weak opponent or a little of both? 25:00: Vikings poetry never disappoints. 38:00: A great Monday Night Football game, a desperate QB situation and some love for an overlooked team.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Among the big topics: A turnaround for the Vikings and QB J.J. McCarthy in a 31-0 victory over Washington; a terrible closing sequence in a one-point Gophers women's basketball loss to Maryland; and the Gophers football team heading to the Rate Bowl.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Among the big topics: A turnaround for the Vikings and QB J.J. McCarthy in a 31-0 victory over Washington; a terrible closing sequence in a one-point Gophers women's basketball loss to Maryland; and the Gophers football team heading to the Rate Bowl.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wolves and Wild, who didn't exactly learn lessons from their Tuesday victories. But the Wolves won again over the Pelicans, establishing further evidence that they can at least beat bad teams. The Wild lost at Calgary but are in a good spot in their division. 6:00: Ben Goessling joins Rand for a deep dive into the 4-8 Vikings, J.J. McCarthy, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen's departure. 42:00: A big weekend of college volleyball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a stunning Gophers men's basketball victory over No. 22 Indiana in Niko Medved's Big Ten coaching debut. It's not likely sustainable this season, but it sure was fun. Plus the Vikings are trying to help J.J. McCarthy not overthink things and Adam Thielen is teaming up with Aaron Rodgers. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins for a debate segment on the Vikings, Twins and Gophers football. 31:00: The Wild and Wolves get another shot.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a trio of Minnesota pro sports victories. The Wild got another shutout win from goalie Jesper Wallstedt, this time a 1-0 nailbiter over Edmonton. The Wolves needed 47 minutes and 44 points from Anthony Edwards to escape with an overtime win over New Orleans. And the Frost cruised 5-1. 11:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand on three Gophers football topics: The win over Wisconsin, signing day and bowl projections. 28:00: A fresh Byron Buxton trade rumbling and bad injury news for Niko Medved's Gophers.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the release of Adam Thielen, which perfectly encapsulates how the Vikings' plan this season has gone off the rails. 6:00: Andrew Krammer helps review the film from the Vikings' 26-0 loss to Seattle, their first shutout defeat in 18 years. 28:00: Vikings poetry is not kind. 41:00: On a lighter note, hot yoga and missed kicks.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand look back at the weekend in sports, starting with another inept performance by the Vikings. They were shut out in Seattle with Max Brosmer making his first start. Justin Jefferson didn't speak to the media afterwards. Plus the Gophers beat Wisconsin for the fourth time in five years, the Wolves beat a couple quality teams and more.

Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand for an all Vikings edition of Daily Delivery on this fine Thanksgiving. After Rand gives an update on J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer, Neal and Rand get into the best-case QB scenario for the rest of this year, contingency plans for 2026 and whether the Vikings need a more thorough rebuild.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with one of his favorite "two things can be true" ideas. J.J. McCarthy has been historically bad AND it's too soon to give up on him. But it's not too soon to think about what might happen if things don't work out. 9:00: Chris Hine joins Rand to talk about the Timberwolves, who have blown big late leads in each of their last two losses. 28:00: Randy Johnson on Gophers football. 36:00: History for St. Thomas.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Monday's big news: J.J. McCarthy is in the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms. That could very well pave the way for Max Brosmer's first career start. What would that mean and what will that look like for the Vikings? 10:00: The ugly film review from the Vikings' 23-6 loss to the Packers. 33:00: Vikings poetry and monster trucks. 50:00: The Wolves and Loons lost late.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at a bleak weekend in Minnesota sports. The Wolves lost in agonizing fashion. The Gophers football team blew a big lead. And the Vikings saved the worst for last.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Minnesota Frost, who have won PWHL titles in their first two years and are trying for a third. With the season set to start Friday, here's a look at how different this franchise feels from others in the state. 5:00: Judd Zulgad from SKOR North joins Rand for an extended Vikings conversation. They look at the J.J. McCarthy Paradox, list their three most disappointing Vikings and set the stage for Sunday at Lambeau. 42:00: It's a big sports weekend.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another strong performance by Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt and what that means for the team. Plus a Wolves win and Twins TV information. 8:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins the show for an offseason update. The organization feels like it's stalled right now. When can we expect answers on payroll and an actual path forward? 31:00: Another J.J. McCarthy-ism.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand runs through a bunch of stories at the start, with the Gophers men's basketball escaping with another win, the Twins making a few moves and the Wild and Wolves set to play Wednesday. 8:00: Randy Johnson joins the show to talk Gophers football ahead of a big game Saturday at Northwestern. 18:00: Jon Marthaler on Minnesota United's upcoming conference semifinal playoff game at San Diego and MLS's schedule flip. 34:00: We're getting a pro volleyball team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another Wolves win over another bad team, noting in this case that the NBA seems to be full of hopeless teams this season. 7:00: Andrew Krammer joins for a deep dive film review from J.J. McCarthy's struggles in Minnesota's 19-17 loss Sunday. 32:00: Vikings poetry. 48:00: Kevin O'Connell diagnoses the Vikings' biggest problem.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, starting with a 19-17 Vikings loss in which young QB J.J. McCarthy looked helpless at times. Plus another Gophers football blowout loss, a Wild resurgence and more.

Michael Rand breaks down the Vikings' 19-17 loss to the Bears.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the new Major League Soccer schedule format, which will have major implications for Minnesota United starting in 2027. 8:00: Baseball writer and podcaster Aaron Gleeman joins Rand for an offseason Twins primer. What do we think of the Derek Shelton hire? Why are the Twins being so evasive about payroll? How likely is it that Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez and/or Byron Buxton are traded? What are reasons for hope? 49:00: It's going to be a very busy weekend after a slow week.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a Gophers men's basketball loss, a women's basketball transfer and the lay of the land for the Vikings. 8:00: Jon Krawczynski from The Athletic joins Rand for a deep dive into the Timberwolves. What are the biggest surprises this year? What do we make of Jaden McDaniels? Are we thinking about point guard all wrong? 38:00: What exactly is the Twins' plan?