Busting Brackets
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MAC Basketball: In-depth look at Central Michigan-Western Michigan rivalry

By Ryan Kay

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Thomas
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Thomas /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 15: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines defends against Michael Flowers #12 of the Western Michigan Broncos in the 1st half at Crisler Arena on December 15, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 15: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines defends against Michael Flowers #12 of the Western Michigan Broncos in the 1st half at Crisler Arena on December 15, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Central Michigan and Western Michigan are a duo of MAC teams that do not have similar records but are striving for the same goal. This season, these local rivals may have some great division conference battles.

136 Miles separates the universities of Central Michigan and Western Michigan. Both teams play in the Mid-American conference with Western joining the conference in 1947, and Central becoming a member in 1971. The Chippewa’s of Central Michigan and the Broncos of Western Michigan are archrivals and their in-state rivalry is only surpassed by the Michigan State and Michigan rivalry.

Western Michigan was last in the NCAA Tournament when they won the MAC Tournament in 2014. Even though Central Michigan came 5 points away from an NCAA appearance when they lost to Buffalo in the MAC Tournament the following year in 2015, their last NCAA appearance was in 2003 when they advanced to the 2nd round of the tournament.

Out of the two schools, Western has been to the NCAA Tournament twice compared to Central’s one appearance in the past 20 years. However even though both schools have struggled in the past 20 years to win the MAC Tournament, they have done fairly well in division championships in recent years.

The Chippewas have either shared or outright won the MAC West Division 4 times in the past decade. The Broncos have either shared or outright the division 5 times in that same period. This season both teams hope to win the division and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the MAC Tournament.