The roster is new, the expectations are rising and Mark has apparently started bringing historical artifacts to the studio.

In Episode 3, the guys dig into Oakland’s 10 new faces, lock in their projected starters and try to figure out what an “OU-type” player actually looks like.

Plus, Darth Bader takes on the best #3s in program history, Nassim gets his flowers, Chris Fields has us intrigued and Jason makes the perfectly reasonable prediction that the Grizzlies may never lose another Horizon League game.

0:00 Discussing promotional ideas and reminiscing about the “chicken drop” from years ago.

1:55: Welcome listeners, both veterans and new ears.

2:25: Jason apologizes for sending Mark 350 texts per day, which scares him. Mark’s house is littered with sticky notes.

3:40: Mark brought a man-bag with a special historical Oakland relic. There is no certificate of authenticity.

5:30: The words “smooth ball” are said too much. Too much.

6:35: Our favorite #3s. Can anyone beat Darth Bader? Uh no.

11:25: Roster turnover. 10 new players!

14:15: Mark starts to talk starters.

15:30: Do you need to be a coach, a General Manager or an emotional support animal these days?

18:00: Oakland is an amazing university right in our backyard. Sometimes, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

19:45: Nassim feels like a 4-year player for Oakland, which the guys appreciate.

20:25: Players with the greatest impact. Spoiler! It’s Nassim!

24:20: Mark proposes a scientific way for he and Jason to determine their shooting percentage.

27:20: Committed to the zone. Wright State seems to have figured it out.

28:00: The guys “lock in” the backcourt starters.

31:00: Shake n’ Bakery!

33:00: Chris Fields excites us. Please stay on the court.

35:37: Mark says we have the twin towers in the frontcourt – if Josh Hill’s uniform comes in.

38:10: Do non-injury redshirts happen anymore? Is Jason living in the past?

41:00 Feels like a very deep team.

43:00: Feels like a very “OU-type” team. Jason doesn’t see them losing a game in the Horizon.

44:40: Mark is ready for GVSU.

Episode 2 proves that Jason and Mark aren't giving up just yet.

The guys open with a painfully bad attempt at Oakland band music, celebrate their almost-100-listener empire and deal with some hurtful criticism of the theme song. There’s apple picking, a miserable Lions road trip, Instagram shaming from an Oakland legend, trivia dominance and possibly the first-ever Air the Bear Podposal.

Eventually, they even talk basketball.

Jason and Mark make their cases for their favorite Oakland players to wear #2, check out the new Adidas gear and dive into the 2026–27 non-conference schedule. Then come the upset picks, including Jason making the completely reasonable prediction that Oakland can beat Michigan State at the Breslin Center. Mark has concerns.

Plus, memories of MSU at the O’Rena, the phantom foul on Kay Felder, actual research into the dreaded non-con hangover and a first look at Episode 3.

And remember: the Air the Bear hotline is officially open at airthebear.com.

TIMECODES

0:00 — Jason and Mark sing OU band songs. They’re awful.
1:15 — Welcome back, Episode 1 veterans. And welcome, newbs.
2:00 — Mark goes apple picking, apparently unaware that Meijer sells apples.
3:40 — Jason goes to the Lions game in Charlotte and discovers two things: the Lions are not good and Charlotte fans are mean.
6:00 — Overreaction Theater: We nearly had 100 listeners, which means we’re pretty awesome.
8:00 — Friendly fire over the length of the theme song. Hurtful.
10:30 — Air the Bear needs student ambassadors. Or band ambassadors. We’re flexible.
11:00 — Oakland has the best band in college basketball. We said what we said.
13:00 — Jason gets shamed by an OU legend on “the gram.”
14:40 — Jason crushes Mark’s trivia.
17:00 — A Podposal? Maybe!
17:40 — Finally, a basketball topic: Our favorite Oakland #2s.
18:00 — Guys with number names who don’t wear that number. Tray wearing 3? Eleven suiting up for Hawkins High? Discuss.
22:30 — Mark makes the case for the Godfather of Oakland #2s: Mychal Covington.
25:30 — Fit Check: Oakland’s new Adidas gear for 2026–27.
27:00 — The schedule. Bold takes begin.
32:30 — Most

Jason and Mark introduce themselves, explain why Air the Bear exists and almost immediately wander into a few Grizzly Holes. They break down the Oakland schedule, preview a few players and get sidetracked by whatever else comes up along the way. Basically, the first episode is a pretty good preview of what this podcast is going to be.

OPEN - High-energy Air the Bear theme song

1:00: - What the hell are we doing here; Mark discusses the vibe in Jason's basement

4:30: Mark regales his days as a high school basketball star, Jason claims he's an expert because he coached RARA basketball

11:00: Why we're doing the podcast + our first Grizzly Hole topics (schedule, roster, etc.); Maybe Jason and Mark do a murder podcast next? Jason's mom hasn't subscribed to Air the Bear yet

19:00: Introducing the weekly segments

21:00: Talking 3 and D nonsens e

23:00: Why does the Grizz wear human shoes? And do bears have hoofs or paws? Is Clawz in the portal? (This goes on too long)

26:00: Explaining Grizzly Holes

30:00: On the Horizon segment overview

31:00: Mini team preview from our old-school printout

42:00: The schedule meat grinder