StribSports Daily Delivery Michael Rand

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some big news for local sports fans. Comcast announced Tuesday night that it was dropping Bally Sports channels, including Bally Sports North, after the sides were unable to reach a contract agreement. BSN disappeared from customers' TVs late Tuesday, and if this impasse is permanent it will have a massive impact on Minnesota sports fans.
10:00: Jeff Day joins Rand on two very different but interesting subjects: What it is like to be a Timberwolves fan after so many tough years and what it is like for college sports donors in the era of name, image and likeness.
47:00: The Knicks had the 76ers where they wanted them, and they let them off the hook.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gets right into things with Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III on a number of subjects. Neal was at the Vikings draft party last week and reports on the enthusiasm of the fan base after first-round picks of J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner.
Rand and Neal also break down how the Wolves dismantled the Suns and what a series against Denver will look like, while Neal offers a July timeline for the return of Royce Lewis even as the Twins continue to surge. Plus Neal has good perspective on the PWHL and Minnesota's push toward the playoffs.
27:00: More analysis of the NBA playoffs from Rand, praise for the Twins bullpen and a listener tries to explain the Falcons' decision to draft Michael Penix Jr.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand after a stretch that could only be described as wildly optimistic. Even a curmudgeonly veteran columnist had to agree that times are good in Minnesota sports.
They started with the Timberwolves, who finished off an extremely impressive sweep of the Suns with a Game 4 win late Sunday in Phoenix. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns were terrific. After the franchise's first series win in 20 years, can they go even deeper in the playoffs?
The Vikings landed two blue chip players in the NFL draft with quarterback J.J. McCarthy and pass rusher Dallas Turner. Big swings for big players are the name of the game.
And the Twins have won seven in a row since the last time Rand and Reusse talked -- a show a week ago when they ripped Rocco Baldelli's team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand recaps the first round of the NFL draft, which saw the Vikings get Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy without having to give up any other first round picks aside from No. 11. That was a huge win for the Vikings, who not only got their quarterback of the future but also nabbed edge rusher Dallas Turner while retaining their 2025 first-round pick. It was also a very confusing night for former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
11:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a look at the Twins, who are fresh off a four-game sweep of the hapless White Sox. Was that a function of just how bad Chicago is, or is there hope for the Twins after a rough start?
32:00: Will the Wolves treat Friday's Game 3 with urgency?

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 for the Gophers football team.
28:00: Rename a street for Naz Reid? Plus three wins in a row for the Twins.

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 escaped with a much-needed win and the Gophers got some good transfer portal news.