Big Ten deer hunting power rankings; Anthony Edwards and Twins break out of their slumps

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.

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 do it again in Game 2 tonight against the Suns? 32:00: A big shot from the defending champs.

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.

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. Can that change in the playoffs? Plus Hine goes into detail on his excellent Naz Reid profile. 37:00: A Justin Jefferson trade idea.

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 news conference.

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 the most if it does stay at No. 3? They get into all of that and more. 31:00: The Wolves vs. Suns schedule is set, the Warriors are done and the Lakers will get the Nuggets.