Recent content from Michael Rand
RandBall: A simple template when every Timberwolves loss feels the same
Minnesota's loss to Memphis on Monday followed a familiar script, so we decided to create a formula of sorts to describe it.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on the Wolves' rut, Wild's grit and Vikings offense
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another close but ultimately unsatisfying Timberwolves loss to Memphis. More questions about late-game personnel and offense turned a five-point lead into a two-point defeat. Will Minnesota even make the play-in? Reusse isn't convinced they will.
RandBall: How will we remember the 2024 Vikings?
There is another recent local sports team that had surprising success, flamed out early in the playoffs and still has our hearts. Will the 2024 Vikings be as fondly remembered as the 2019 Twins?
Podcast: The Vikings ended the season out of answers. Now the real questions begin.
Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins the show for a final film review after a disappointing 27-9 playoff loss to the Rams. How do we explain Sam Darnold getting sacked nine times? Plus a look ahead to what figures to be a very disruptive offseason.
RandBall: Once again, I ignored the evidence before a Vikings playoff loss
The Rams' strengths align with the Vikings' weaknesses. We all knew that going into Monday night's playoff game. Why did we expect a different result?
Podcast: Breaking down the Vikings' playoff debacle and end of season
Host Michael Rand starts with the other games Monday, including a more competitive Gophers men's basketball loss and a good enough Timberwolves win. Rand quickly gets to the Vikings, of course, and the ugly end to a great season. After losing 27-9 to the Rams on Monday, a season with great potential and accomplishment is suddenly over.
RandBall: The agonizing wait for a Monday night Vikings playoff game
Every other wild card game is over, every plot line has been analyzed, and you're still expected to work today when kickoff isn't until tonight?
Podcast: Patrick Reusse wants to know which version of Sam Darnold will show up
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand take a look back at the weekend in sports and a look ahead to Monday's huge playoff game between the Vikings and Rams. The NFL playoffs so far have been a dud, with either lopsided results, mediocre action or both. The Vikings know going into Monday that they would face the Eagles if they advance to the next round.
RandBall: Can the Wolves carve out some space in the lonesome, crowded West
The Wolves have been cycling between a crisis and a modest winning streak for much of this season. Can they break out of that and find their place in another brutal incarnation of the Western Conference?
Podcast: Ben Goessling on Sam Darnold, Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores
Host Michael Rand starts with the implications of the Vikings vs. Rams game being moved to Arizona because of the fires in Los Angeles. Plus thoughts on the Timberwolves winning three games in a row and the injuries that caught up to the Wild in a blowout loss Thursday to Colorado.
RandBall: Darnold's clunker vs. the Lions has shaken prognosticators' faith in Vikings
A spin around the national media finds a lot of folks picking the Rams to beat the Vikings on Monday. But maybe that plays right into a season-long narrative of proving skeptics wrong.
Podcast: La Velle E. Neal III on the Vikings' chances and Wild players stepping up
Host Michael Rand start with three teams that won Wednesday but don't often get headlines on the podcast. The Gophers women's basketball team is now 16-1 after a 26-point win over Rutgers. The St. Thomas men's basketball team is 3-0 in conference play after a nice win over South Dakota State. And the Frost won in overtime on a Taylor Heise goal, part of their strong start to this season.
RandBall: The Vikings coaching situation we should focus on is Brian Flores'
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has done a terrific job this season. But his future in Minnesota seems far more certain than that of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Podcast: In search of any Gophers men's basketball optimism
Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another gritty Wild victory, during which they overcame an injury to Brock Faber, a two-goal deficit and a grueling end-of-game shift. Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about the struggling squad.
RandBall: Chris Finch finally listened. Maybe the Vikings and Twins will follow suit?
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch made a lineup change Monday, and he joked that he changed his mind because of pressure from the media. But if there is an element of truth to what he said, maybe other coaches will follow suit?
Podcast: Wolves finally shake things up; Vikings questions and concerns
On a jam-packed edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves. They won 108-106 on Monday after making a change to their starting lineup. Donte DiVincenzo replaced Mike Conley Jr. Plus, Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the 31-9 Vikings loss to the Lions.
RandBall: This week is a big test for the Vikings — and their fans
It's tempting to give into the gloom and doom of history after Sunday night's loss to the Lions.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on the Vikings' flop, Sam Darnold's future and Anthony Edwards
Host Michael Rand was joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which of course started with the Vikings' disappointing 31-9 loss in Detroit.
RandBall: Timberwolves' biggest problem right now is Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards is either not crafty enough to find his own offense through double teams or his ego makes him unwilling to play unselfishly even if it leads to team success.
Podcast: An uninspiring Twins offseason and a worrisome Anthony Edwards problem
Host Michael Rand starts with the NBA's biggest problem. Ratings are down for a number of reasons, but here is a big one: As teams like the Celtics have won with ruthless efficiency, as they did Thursday against the Wolves, the game has become less interesting to watch. Rand also touches on the uninspiring Twins offseason plus a win for the Wild and a loss for Gophers men's basketball.
RandBall: College Football Playoff: Terrible news, blowouts and one all-time classic
The extreme highs and lows of sports have been on display during the College Football Playoff games this season.
Podcast: The best Minnesota sports had to offer and hope for what is to come
Host Michael Rand starts with a moment of pure sports-watching joy Wednesday, which came from the late drama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Arizona State and Texas. Then Rand runs through his list of the 10 biggest story lines in Minnesota sports in 2024.
Podcast: Vikings vs. Lions will be culmination of a very serious sports week
Host Michael Rand starts with a big week in Minnesota sports as things get serious with the turn of the calendar. The Wolves play the Thunder and Celtics, perhaps the two biggest NBA title contenders this season. The Wild have a big week. The Gophers men's basketball team hosts Purdue. The Gophers football team can extend its bowl streak. And the Vikings cap it all off.
Year in review: The top 10 story lines of 2024 in Minnesota sports
From championships to near-misses to blockbuster roster moves, 2024 will go down as the year even the most jaded Minnesota sports fans could celebrate.
Randball: Fox analyst Tom Brady is too much of a game manager
As the former seven-time Super Bowl champion learns the ropes, he needs to be less boring.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on how the 14-2 Vikings keep surprising us
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which of course begins with the Vikings' 27-25 win over the Packers on Sunday. The Vikings are now 14-2 with a chance to earn home-field advantage in the NFC next week vs. Detroit.
Podcast: Two options for Julius Randle + Three big Vikings takeaways
Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who look lost again after dropping their third game in a row. Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down film from Sunday's win over Seattle and to examine the NFC North.
RandBall: Sunday was a reunion of failed Jets QBs — and a reason to rethink the position
Sam Darnold and Geno Smith went toe-to-toe as the Vikings defeated the Seahawks 27-24. Mark Sanchez provided color commentary on the broadcast. All three were once thought of as the quarterback of the future for the Jets.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on belief in the Vikings + the Wolves' big problem
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included one of the best Vikings' wins of the season. In news that is, um, less good: The Wolves have lost two in a row and look just as lost as they did earlier in the season.
RandBall: Wolves' offense is broken, but same was true with KAT here
After a blowout loss to Knicks, Edwards bemoaned Wolves' lack of offensive identity. But Minnesota hasn't had a true offensive identity in years.
Podcast: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kirk Cousins and a tale of two comebacks
Host Michael Rand starts with the unsightly mess that happened at Target Center on Thursday in Karl-Anthony Towns' much-anticipated return after a trade just a few months ago. Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand as they dive into the benching of former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
RandBall: A difficult stretch and concerning underlying stat for the Wild
The Wild have lost three of their past four games, including two very lopsided results. How worried should we be that a longer slide is coming?
Podcast: Will the Vikings win the NFC North? + KAT's return to Minnesota
Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who have lost three of their last four games, including another lopsided defeat (6-1) on Wednesday against Florida. Plus La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment.
RandBall: Cousins' fast and terrible fall in Atlanta
Former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins left Minnesota for a long-term contract with the Falcons. On Tuesday, he was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr., creating all sorts of short- and long-term questions.
Podcast: Vikings are in prime position to catch vulnerable Lions
Host Michael Rand starts with the big NFL news from Tuesday that former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has been benched by the Falcons in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. Plus Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for three hot takeaways from Monday's win over the Bears as well as a review of the film.
RandBall: Monday was another validating night for Vikings' 'competitive rebuild'
General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used that term to describe the team's approach after he was hired in 2022. Even a skeptic has to admit that so far it has worked, particularly relative to the paths other teams have taken.
Podcast: A Vikings break down, the KAT trade and an excellent gymnastics story
Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' 30-12 win over the Bears on Monday Night Football, which was a grinding affair but ultimately proved satisfying. The Star Tribune's Jeff Day joins Rand to talk through his excellent long profile of Gophers gymnast Mya Hooten.
Randball: Five Monday thoughts after a near-perfect Sunday for Vikings
The Vikings clinched a playoff spot Sunday without even playing. What can they do to win the NFC North?
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on a Vikings opportunity and potential Twins suitor
On Monday's Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in sports. The Vikings don't play until Monday night, but two key games Sunday went their way.
RandBall: Mulling Vikings' playoff opponents, rethinking the Darnold question
The Vikings likely will be on the road for the playoffs. What would their path look like, and is it fair to judge QB Sam Darnold on how he navigates the postseason?
Podcast: Vikings preferred playoff opponents + A bad time to watch the Wild
Host Michael Rand's declaration the other day that it was time to start watching the Wild more closely could not have come at a worse time. Plus Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for a look at the biggest questions, both present and future, facing the team.
RandBall: NFL is considering a change to facemask replay, just in time to NOT help Vikings
Minnesota sports fans just went through this two months ago after the Gophers were hosed at Michigan.
Podcast: A Vikings QB what-if, La Velle E. Neal III and Anthony Edwards' development
Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three converging hypotheticals. What would have happened if Sam Darnold was on the Vikings last season? What might have happened if the Falcons had signed Darnold instead of Kirk Cousins this season? And how might all of this be different if Bill Belichick had become Falcons head coach instead of now taking the North Carolina job?
RandBall: The Twins could have had Juan Soto for just half their franchise
Juan Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets this week. The Twins were not in on the bidding, but all it would have taken was half of everything they have.
Podcast: Sam Darnold for MVP and Gophers basketball truths (on episode 1,000)
Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts off the 1,000th episode of Daily Delivery with a hard truth about the Gophers men's basketball team, which lost 82-67 to Indiana on Monday. Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for their weekly Vikings film review.
RandBall: The pressure on Kirk Cousins in Atlanta is only intensifying
Vikings fans got to celebrate Sunday. The Falcons are left to reckon with their quarterback situation as Kirk Cousins' critics get louder.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on Sam over Kirk and baseball's $765 million problem
Host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse break down the weekend in sports, which of course begins with the Vikings' 42-21 win over Kirk Cousins and the Falcons. By the end, Sam Darnold had five touchdown passes while Cousins had two interceptions. It couldn't have gone much better for anyone wearing purple.
RandBall: 'Thursday Night Football' was ultimate test of how much Vikings fan hate Packers
A Green Bay win over Detroit would have cleared a path for the Vikings to win the NFC North. But a lot of Vikings fans just couldn't bring themselves to root for that outcome.
Podcast: Kirk Cousins' return to Minnesota and big Wolves games at Golden State
Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand from Atlanta, where he is reporting a story on the return of Kirk Cousins on Sunday. Plus Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand from California, where the Wolves are fresh off another impressive win over the Clippers.
RandBall: The most surprisingly good Minnesota pro sports team of 2024 is ... ?
In a market where fans have dealt with a lot of disappointment, 2024 has brought more than its share of pleasant surprises.
Podcast: La Velle E. Neal III on surprising teams and Gophers expectations
Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' second consecutive blowout win and third straight standout defensive performance overall, this time a 108-80 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles. Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment.
RandBall: The Aaron Rodgers documentary is going to be interesting
If you think you've had enough of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the new Netflix documentary 'Enigma' is going to put him front-and-center again.
Podcast: Parallels between Wild and Vikings; Gophers bowl game projections
Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who won their fourth straight game, all by one goal, with an overtime victory Tuesday over Vancouver. There are starting to be some striking similarities between the Wild and Vikings. Plus the Gophers women's basketball team is 10-0 while the Wolves are 10-10.
RandBall: The NFL's interception leader is playing QB Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium
If you think this might be about Sam Darnold, you're wrong. It's about former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, whose 13 picks in his first year with the Falcons lead the league. And for good measure, Cousins has the NFL's most fumbles, too.
Podcast: Vikings season hinges on Stephon Gilmore's hamstring
It's a Vikings-heavy show with three different guests, starting with Nick Brady. He was sitting in the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday when the Fox cameras caught him with the perfect expression. Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins host Michael Rand for hot takeaways and a review of the film from the 23-22 win over Arizona.
RandBall: Meet Nick Brady, the Vikings fan who became a meme during Sunday's game
Vikings fan Nick Brady was caught on Fox cameras with the purest expression of fandom after Aaron Jones dropped a potential touchdown pass. Next thing he knew, his phone was blowing up.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on the Vikings' comeback and Gophers' rout of Wisconsin
On a jam-packed Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse start with the Vikings' stirring comeback victory over Arizona. To Reusse, what stood out the most was the Cardinals hurting themselves with penalties and coaching down the stretch.
Podcast: Fixing the broken Timberwolves + Ruining the Badgers' football season
Host Michael Rand starts with the latest Timberwolves loss, an overtime setback to Houston. If one more shot had fallen in the final two minutes, we would have been talking about a win. But either way, the same positives and negatives that have existed most of the season would have taken center stage.
RandBall: Vikings' interest in Daniel Jones is reminder that QB plans can change
With most of the Kirk Cousins era providing the exception to the rule, most Vikings fans know that having a good backup plan at quarterback is essential.
Podcast: Will the Vikings land Daniel Jones? + Film review, poetry and more
Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' reported interest in quarterback Daniel Jones, who was recently released by the Giants. Andrew Krammer joins for a weekly film review of the Vikings. Krammer and Rand will look at how everyone except Justin Jefferson had a big day on offense.
RandBall: These aren't the Dayton Triangles — or the same old Vikings
Just about every other incarnation of the Vikings in franchise history would have lost Sunday's game, so it's a tribute to Kevin O'Connell's squad that they didn't.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on the Vikings' escape and no moral victories
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand on the Daily Delivery podcast for a look back at the weekend in sports. It would have been a complete disaster in Minnesota if not for the Vikings rescuing victory from the clutches of defeat.
RandBall: Can Motzko win a championship?
On Friday's Daily Delivery podcast, Gophers men's hockey coach Bob Motzko talked about expectations, his personal journey and more.
Podcast: Wolves are broken, Wild are soaring; Bob Motzko joins the show
Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who always lose in Toronto but managed to do it in a very disheartening way on Thursday. The Wild, meanwhile, continued their scorching start. They are 9-1-2 on the road after a 5-3 win over Edmonton.
RandBall: In a complicated Twins offseason, where does Correa stand?
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa is arguably their best player and easily their most expensive one. He's frequently injured and a payroll-strapped team is up for sale. It feels like the Twins can't afford to keep Correa, but the same is true of losing him.
Podcast: Who is winning the KAT trade? Should the Twins pursue a Correa trade?
Host Michael Rand starts with the shifting expectations for the Vikings and Sam Darnold. Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins for the Daily Delivery debate segment. In focus: Who is winning the Karl-Anthony Towns trade? Should the Twins think about trading Carlos Correa?
RandBall: Are the Vikings going to help get another coach fired Sunday?
Robert Saleh came back from a London loss to the Vikings and was fired. Bears coach Matt Eberflus is on an even hotter seat entering Sunday's game in Chicago.
Podcast: Parker Fox appreciation + Minnesota United, Gophers football analysis
Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers men's basketball team's win over Cleveland State, which was keyed by super-veteran Parker Fox and his 18 points. Plus it's a big playoff game Sunday for Minnesota United.
RandBall: After so much was taken away, it's good to have Tim Brewster back
Several of my favorite subjects have left me recently, but the former Gophers football coach is blissfully back in the news.
Podcast: A Sam Darnold bounceback + a Tim Brewster comeback
Former Gophers football coach Tim Brewster is back in the news and back as a head coach for the first time since being let go in Minnesota in 2010. And Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film and Rand's hot takes.
RandBall: Officiating saved Vikings; game announcers helped nobody
A largely forgettable Vikings victory was notable for two reasons: Several borderline calls went the Vikings' way, and the CBS announcing crew was a disaster.
Podcast: Patrick Reusse on the charmed Vikings (and why he won't join Bluesky)
Star Tribune columnist joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which starts with another grind-it-out win for the Vikings over a bad AFC South opponent. Minnesota hasn't been playing its best lately, but it hasn't mattered.
Podcast: La Velle E. Neal III on Twins shakeup and Wolves' biggest problem
Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand for their Daily Delivery debate segment. They share opinions on the Twins' front office shakeup, disagree on the Vikings' most important player and try to identify the Wolves' No. 1 area of concern.
RandBall: Max Brosmer came a long way to get burritos whenever he wants
The Gophers quarterback believed in himself, and his transfer to the U has led to a winning record this season.
Podcast: After three straight bad losses, what's wrong with Timberwolves?
Host Michael Rand returns from a sick day to talk about not one but two Wolves losses to the Blazers. What exactly is going on with this team? Plus Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer joins the show to talk about his journey to the Big Ten, his belief in himself and what he has learned this season.