Introduction: Host Michael Rand comes to a rather important conclusion as we prepare for the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. The Vikings, on the clock at No. 11 and very likely to move into the top 10, are on the verge of making the most important draft pick in franchise history. No pressure, though. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk about the Timberwolves, who have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoff series with Phoenix. Can they take their excellent play on the road for Game 3? Plus Scoggins weighs in on the NFL draft and recent transfer portal moves ..read more

Introduction: Host Michael Rand talks through another dominant Timberwolves victory in the playoffs, putting Minnesota up 2-0 in its series over Phoenix. Jaden McDaniels (25 points) looked like the best player on the court during a 105-93 win at Target Center, while the Wolves' balance was a big story all night. Can they keep it going when the series shifts to Phoenix? 10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for one final look at what the Vikings might do at quarterback in Thursday's draft. All the scenarios make sense. And we'll know the outcome soon. 30:00: The Twins esc ..read more

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who had the pleasure of playing the White Sox on Monday. A 7-0 victory over hapless Chicago could be the start of an early season turnaround. One emailer, who didn't like all the negativity on Monday's show with Patrick Reusse, sure things it will be. Plus Rand gets into the latest Gophers men's basketball departure into the world of the transfer portal and likely big money. 11:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand to break down how the Wolves were so dominant in a Game 1 victory over Phoenix on Saturday. Can Minnesota ..read more

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which started (of course) with the Timberwolves' dominant Game 1 victory over the Suns in Saturday's playoff opener. Great coaching and big-time performances told the story. Can the Wolves do it again in Game 2 on Tuesday? Reusse and Rand also got into the Twins, who stand at a dismal 7-13 after 20 games. Who do we blame the most for the poor showing so far: Ownership, the front office, the manager or the players? And Reusse has some optimism about the Vikings ..read more

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the end for the Wild. A disappointing season came to a fitting end Thursday with a 4-3 loss to Seattle. The Wild were neither good enough to make the playoffs nor bad enough to truly rebuild. Now the question is whether what figures to be a similar roster next year can get out of that murky middle. Also, the Gophers women's basketball team landed a key transfer. 8:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look ahead to the start of the playoffs Saturday against Phoenix. Minnesota went 0-3 against the Suns in the regular season ..read more

Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who lost again in Baltimore to fall to 6-11. They are missing three of their most important players, and it is showing. Can they take advantage of a more forgiving schedule in the next 13 games -- including seven against the woeful White Sox -- to get their season turned around? Star Tribune Wild writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand. The Wild's season ends Thursday, and most would label it a disappointment. After missing the playoffs this season, what can the Wild do to turn things around next year? An uncomfortable moment at Caitlin Clark's introductory ne ..read more

Introduction: Host Michael Rand at least isn't the only one who has noticed the Twins just aren't very good right now. Manager Rocco Baldelli offered a frank assessment of the team's myriad woes after Tuesday's 11-3 loss at Baltimore dropped them to 6-10 on the season. It's not time to panic yet, but it certainly is time to be concerned. 9:00: Rand welcomes in Tom Curran from NBC Boston to talk about the possibility of the Vikings trading up to No. 3 with New England in next week's NFL draft. Would the Patriots really do that? What would it cost the Vikings? And which QB does New England like ..read more

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the two biggest stories from Monday night -- the Lynx drafting Alissa Pili of Utah No. 8 overall and the Twins losing at Baltimore 7-4. The Lynx gained a dominant offensive player who should bring an infusion of talent. The Twins, meanwhile, are getting far too little from second-year players they were counting on this season. 9:00: Rand welcomes in Ben Kaplan, co-author of the new book, "Pipeline to the Pros: How D3, Small-College Nobodies Rose to Rule the NBA." They discussed the phenomenon of former D3 players reaching the NBA as head coaches and ..read more

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included the least-desirable scenario for the Timberwolves. They were routed by Phoenix for a third time this season, a loss that locked them into a playoff series with those same Suns. Will a stellar season end with a first-round playoff exit? Plus Reusse and Rand get into the latest big Twins injury (Carlos Correa) and a slumping offense. Even after a nice doubleheader win Saturday, the Twins gave away a game Sunday. The Masters has changed over the years, Reusse says, and the Lynx m ..read more

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' loss at Denver on Wednesday, which likely will keep them from getting the No. 1 seed in the West. While playoff matchups are still up in the air, the Wolves' offense was again a concern in this game. It underscored the need for Karl-Anthony Towns to return and contribute. 8:00: The Twins' win over Los Angeles felt important on Wednesday, with Carlos Correa making a sparkling defensive play and Edouard Julien belting two homers after an 0-4 start to the home stand. 12:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand to talk Frozen Four hockey, which beg ..read more