Episode 193 – A year later, the MAC is back in Cleveland

The Mid-American Conference men’s and women’s tournaments are back at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this week, one year after COVID-19 brought the sports world to a halt. Ohio University beat writer Jason Arkley was in Cleveland to cover the tournaments for the Athens Messenger last year when the plug was pulled. This year, he's working independently—and from home—as the MAC is back, but full arenas and press rows are not just yet.

Arkley joins The Nail to discuss the challenges universities have faced in trying to get through their sports seasons, a year of change in how college sports are covered, and the players and teams to watch this weekend in Cleveland.

Read Arkley's OU coverage: SUACBobcats.com


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Episode 171 – 2020 MAC tournament: Filled with suspense in an empty arena

This year’s Mid-American Conference tournament will be a made-for-TV event, as concerns over the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) have led the league to restrict the list of attendees at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to family members of players, credentialed university and team personnel, and media. Jason Arkley, Ohio University beat writer for the Athens Messenger, joins the show to discuss the MAC’s decision and how other leagues are handling similarly tough calls.

On the court, this year’s MAC tourney appears to be wide open, especially with Buffalo, winner of four of the past five years, bowing out in the first round on Monday. Arkley details Ohio’s surge in the second half of the season under first-year coach Jeff Boals, how former OU coach John Groce has rebuilt Akron into becoming the top seed in this year’s bracket, and rest of the teams and players to watch (on TV from the comfort of your home).


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Episode 144 – Buffalo and everyone else: MAC men's tournament preview with Jason Arkley

The Mid-American Conference men’s basketball quarterfinals tip off on Thursday at The Q, and all signs point to top-seeded Buffalo having its fourth NCAA tournament appearance in five years locked up regardless of what happens in Cleveland. Still, seven other schools arrive looking to pull an upset and give the conference two bids in the NCAAs for the first time in 20 years. Jason Arkley, Ohio University beat writer for the Athens Messenger, is in town and back on The Nail to preview this weekend’s games and players to watch.

Plus, he dives into the Bobcats' disappointing season that ultimately led to the contract of likable, but embattled head coach Saul Phillips not being renewed on Wednesday.


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Episode 111 – Talking #MACtion with Jason Arkley of the Athens Messenger

It’s Mid-American Conference tournament week in Cleveland, and Jason Arkley of the Athens Messenger is back on The Nail to set the stage. The No. 1 seed Buffalo Bulls seek their third conference championship in four years, but the rest of the top teams in this year’s bracket – Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Ball State – are all looking to break long droughts. Arkley breaks down Thursday’s quarterfinal matchups and discusses whether a MAC team can win an NCAA tournament game for the first time since 2012. ... Plus: The effect of the graduate transfer rule on college basketball and whether the sport's latest scandals are being felt at the mid-major level.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek