The MAC released its preseason basketball poll yesterday, tabbing Ohio to win the conference. The Bobcats were picked to finish first in the East division ahead of Akron and picked to win the MAC Tournament over Akron. Also, Ohio guards D.J. Cooper and Walter Offutt were named to the MAC East Division Preseason All-MAC team. Toledo was picked to win the MAC West, ahead of Eastern Michigan. Ohio basketball has their first and only exhibition game on Saturday against Mercyhurst at 2, before opening up the regular season next Saturday against Portland at home. The game can be heard on Power 105 with pregame at 1:30 and tipoff at 2. Also, Ohio football returns to action tomorrow night as they take on Eastern Michigan. The game can be heard on Power 105 with pregame coverage starting at 4:30 with the Bobcat Insider and kickoff at 6.

In other NCAA basketball, #4 Ohio State topped Division two Walsh, 83-71 in their only exhibition game of the season. The Buckeyes struggled, trailing until a 13-3 outburst gave them a nine-point lead just before the intermission. Preseason All-American Deshaun Thomas led Ohio State with 25 points on the night and LaQuinton Ross added 13 for the Buckeyes. Ohio State tips off their regular season next Friday night at 7 as they take on Marquette in the Carrier Classic in South Carolina.

The Cleveland Cavaliers opened the season with a big win last night, 94-84 over the Washington Wizards. The Cavs jumped out to a big lead in the first half, heading into the intermission with an 11-point lead. However, Washington came storming back in the fourth to take the lead after being down by as many as 18. But Cleveland would not roll over and took the lead right back behind Kyrie Irving, who led all scorers with 29 points. Anderson Varejao set a new career high, tallying 23 rebounds on the night with 9 assists and 9 points. Rookie Dion Waiters chipped in with 17 points in his first NBA game. Cleveland will now host Chicago on Friday night at 7:30.

In other NBA action, Miami handled Boston, 120-107.

The NCAA’s board of directors passed a package of sweeping changes that will hold coaches more accountable for breaking rules with longer postseason bans and fines that could cost millions of dollars. The NCAA will increase the infractions committee size from 10 members to 24. Violators found to be in “serious breach of conduct” with aggravating circumstances could face a four-year postseason ban and a $60 million dollar fine. Also, if any member of the coaching staff commits a serious infraction, the head coach must prove that they were unaware of it or they will face a suspension ranging from 10 percent of the season to the entire year.

On your radio dial tonight, it’s the Sports Fan presented by J&K Contracting. That’s on 970 WATH and it’s from 6:06 to 7. Also tonight, it’s our High School Football Playoff preview show on Power 105 from 7 to 9 with Rusty Martin and Troy Bolin as well as special guest coach Ryan Adams of Athens and coach Phil Faries of Trimble in studio.