The kind of game that you will want to keep playing, though you will be furious at the same time
The game is solid in the graphics department, with just good enough character models so you aren't disgusted, but you are not going to recognize your star player from across the room. There are a few minor glitches in player movement, but they are things you will wind up forgiving due to the fact that all sports games feature some glitches in that department.
The gameplay itself is good, although can be a bit annoying at times when you have an open lay-up with your 6'10'' center and it rolls off the rim as if he is a helpless child learning how to play the game for the first time. Of course, the computer players (not on your team) are going to move more and do things that typical players would try to do, leaving you with the inevitable choice of relying on you and only you to make things happen. Of course, when it comes to just you, the gameplay is set up well enough to give you plenty of moves and options.
The one thing about this game that I think it nails (for the most part) is career mode. If you play the career legacy mode, you start out as a coach on a lower end team in a weak, hardly cared about conference in which you really wish you weren't stuck in but know that it is realistic nonetheless, and work your way up to the top. Or, if you catch the eye of a power conference team, perhaps you will be offered a job to coach a major contender. How you go about doing things is pretty simple, yet very fun.
The audio is really a mixed bag. It features great band (think college band section) style of music, as well as the typical rap that is customary in any sports game. All of the actual music is great. Commentating is a different story. As usual, commentating gets old, annoying, and of course sometimes doesn't make sense. Why they say my center isn't supposed to take an open lay-up is beyond me...
All in all, this game is fun. Sure you will have headaches cause by sure confusion at the amazing inability for your players to perform sometimes, but come on...what sports game isn't complete without yelling at your players and warning them they will get cut (like it matters to them anyway...but it does make you feel better). The career legacy mode alone is a great feature. And the fact that there are about 360 teams to use, all with their own courts, mascots, and for some schools - cheers music, makes this game worth trying out.
My advice - rent it, try it, and then decide whether to buy it or chuck it into the nearest den of ravenous man eating pit bulls and watch it get ripped to shreds. Either or works