[MicroBob]

Yeah, I can see this as being a pretty exciting non-conference rivalry-type game for both programs for area mid-major pride or something.
They aren't just Michigan-based...they are way closer to each other than that. EMU is practically attached to Ann Arbor...they are on the Detroit side of Ann Arbor actually.

Probably only 40 mins from gym to gym. And not having looked at the rosters I suspect that a lot of the players are from the same general area and know each other similar to a lot of other rivalry-type games.

It's not exactly Xavier/Cincinnati or something. But I suspect this is a semi-big deal for both of these teams.

That said, I like EMU and the MAC in this matchup anyway so I'm playing it regardless of whether it gets tossed from the home-fave system for technically being a rivalry.