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NCAA Basketball Hands-On Preview

Related Platforms:
  • Xbox 360
By Shanker Srinivasan, GameSpot, Posted Nov 8, 2008 1:46 am GMT

We set the tempo with our latest look at EA's latest college basketball game.

While March Madness office pools may still epitomize guesswork and a multitude of options, the nature of college basketball gaming is relatively simple. With 2K's withdrawal from the market, EA's NCAA Basketball 09 represents the only college basketball game hitting the shelves this holiday season. We had a chance to get some hands-on time with the game to see what we can expect from the game this year.

Expect to see lots of aggressive defense, especially from up-tempo teams.

Expect to see lots of aggressive defense, especially from up-tempo teams.

For the first time, EA's college basketball game uses the same gameplay engine as the one used in the NBA Live series. New features in NBA Live 09, such as advanced pick-and-roll control and quick-strike ankle breakers, will make their debut in the college game along with more than 1,000 new animations. Some animations, specifically those related to trapping and full-court pressure, weren't even included in NBA Live. Others have since been tweaked based on user feedback to improve responsiveness and provide smoother transitions.

Use of the Live engine has also allowed EA's NCAA team to focus its efforts on features that are specific to the college game. This includes more than 400 actual fan chants, 200 of which are team-specific, and the game includes the actual arenas of each of the 328 Division I schools. The in-game commentary crew of Brad Nessler, Dick Vitale, and Erin Andrews does a solid job of providing team and situation-specific insight. Even the crowd's reaction to the action on the court contributes to creating an atmosphere that is unique to the college game.

The most significant addition to NCAA Basketball 09, though, is the introduction of team tempo. Each team in NCAA Basketball 09 has one of three tempos at which it excels: half-court, balanced, and up-tempo. Half-court teams, such as Kentucky, excel in their half-court offense by utilizing the shot clock on their possessions, while up-tempo teams, such as North Carolina, prefer to trap aggressively and get out in transition. In addition to CPU-controlled teams playing more like their real-life counterparts, NCAA Basketball adds another twist to ensure users play in a way that is consistent with their team's style. Based on the disparity between your team's ideal tempo and the actual pace of the game, your team may shoot a lower percentage, commit more turnovers, or fatigue faster. While these factors aren't impossible to overcome, they are noticeable enough that playing at your ideal tempo (and forcing your opponent to do the same) is a primary focus.

Prior to the start of every game, you will be able to select three focal points related to your team's ideal tempo and vital to your team's success. For instance, one such focal point for an up-tempo team is keeping average possession time low. The focal points you choose will be tracked throughout the game, and the game will provide updates on how well both teams have followed their respective tenets.

In addition to focal points, NCAA Basketball 09 introduces coach feedback to keep you appraised of your team's performance and the changes you need to be make. Thanks to a partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the game includes most of the actual coaches providing various in-game tips, such as "We need to get out in transition" or "That was a quality look; those shots will fall." While experienced players may think that many of the tips are obvious, coach feedback provides helpful reminders (such as when to substitute players) that keep newcomers on track.

Another new feature in NCAA Basketball 09 (now made possible via the NCAA license) is the inclusion of 64 of the greatest teams in college basketball history. These teams are available for quickplay, online, and March Madness-esque tournaments to see which team really was the greatest of all time. The teams even include their authentic throw-back jerseys, short shorts and all.

Coach, I hear what you’re sayin’, but I gots to get mine.

Coach, I hear what you’re sayin’, but I gots to get mine.

Other new features include an expanded Dynasty mode, where recruiting is similar to the recruiting in NCAA Football 09 with options to develop program pipelines, manage recruits, and compare future classes. The implementation of EA Locker 3.0 also allows you to share files and create players online with others. There's even a new rivalry feature where you are notified whenever a rival team signs in online (if you select North Carolina as your favorite team, you will be notified when a Duke player logs on), and you are allowed to challenge your rival to a quick game.

While EA's decision to utilize the same gameplay engine across both of its basketball franchises seems like a logical step to reduce redundant development, it may also detract gamers who prefer NBA 2K9's gameplay. Despite unique animations and the introduction of tempo, NCAA Basketball 09 still includes a few arcade-style elements (such as ease of inside scoring), as well as frustrating issues (such as getting pulled into animations) that have plagued the NBA Live franchise for years. The Xbox 360 and PS3 demo for NCAA Basketball 09 was released this week ahead of the game's retail release on November 17. Stay tuned for GameSpot's full review of the game after its release.

23 Comments

  • bosshoggoutlaw5

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 5:23 pm GMT

    This is the worst college game ever!! I really hope 2k college hoops comes back.

  • philly215

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 11:12 pm GMT

    Did you guys play the demo?? man it really sucked...

    and Ea sports games normally suck...but this sucked harder... it think when 2k pulls competition the worse the EA game gets....

    the problem with EA is even visually they havent innovated anything...crowd still the same player models still move the same just sharper and prettier...

    its sad really

  • bratol1733

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 2:07 pm GMT

    Any game that lists the 2006 George Mason Patriots as legendary is genius.

  • NoseWeed619

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 3:53 pm GMT

    I just can't believe that 2K isn't going to be doing one this year...

  • NoseWeed619

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 3:53 pm GMT

    Sounds pretty cool. I'm always looking forward to the NCAA games. Basketball really isn't my favorite one of them, but it's still a good series.

  • maaly81

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 8:18 pm GMT

    I agree with the good and the bad said about 2k. layups were easily missed and it had its shortcomings, but come on. if you played this garbage demo, you would throw your xbox 360 away, just because they let EA put this mess out. but, you wouldn't because you know or knew already this game would be sooo abominable that mere words would not tell you the horror.

    I played it and wondered how? why? who? what? was and is EA thinking? just cuz 2k is not releasing a title this year and EA stinks up College Basketball with this?? goodness do not get this mess. save your $64.64 for something special for your special somebody in your life.

  • bratol1733

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 4:02 pm GMT

    I can see why people are skeptical about this game, but did anyone really think CH2K8 was really that great? I mean **** you had a better chance of hitting a three than making a layup! Defense was **** Making a free throw was garbage too! I don't think this game is really that bad from the demo. 2K8 was frustrating as hell just remember that.

  • kz1den

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 5:23 am GMT

    I figured that since EA has the only college bball game in town, then the least I could do is give the demo a try. After playing the demo, the only thing I can say is thank God for the 2K Share feature in College Hoops 2K8 so that there may still be a slight chance for updated rosters at least. NCAA Basketball 09 is, at best, a decent arcade game. It seems to me that they used the NBA Street engine more so than the NBA Live 09 engine. Hardcore bball aficionados will find this extremely disappointing. I just hope that 2K Sports can recoup and regain the NCAA licence for next year - that's unless EA took advantage of 2K's absence this year and tied up a multi-year exclusivity deal as one would expect.

  • MarcJL31

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 7:08 pm GMT

    I loved college basketball and I love college basketball games. And i probably would have gave in a got this game knowing that March Madness never even came close to College Hoops. That was until I played the demo. All I can say is that EA would have been better off just releasing the game without a demo because it just showed how bad this game really was. Maybe it is just the people who have played College Hoops and then play this who think this game is a significant downfall. I will say the game looks good. But that seems to be all it is worth. If I happen to be given the game, I may play it. But I definitely wont buy it. 2K should release a downloadable content which would update the game to a more 2k9 feel, charge a price for the update, and let the public worry about updating the rosters, seeing as there are the people who rename all the players anyway. If they did that, I would be more than happy. Either way, it looks like I will be continuing on in 2k8

  • Maverick2448

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 6:18 pm GMT

    I guess I will have to be content with last year's college hoops game. EA can't make a basketball game to save their life. I can only speculate as to why 2K and the NCAA could not come to terms. I just can't shake the feeling that you know who was involved.

  • johnnyv2003

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 4:05 am GMT

    I played the demo, and will not be buying this game. I've still yet to play a college basketball game as good as NCAA 2k7. It's still the game I will compare all others too, and so far none have come close.

    The player models in the demo look like what the sideline players look like on some sports games. The gameplay has that 'sticky' feel to it. To where if you're in the vicinity of someone it feels as though the game immediately draws you to the player.

    Very disappointed, just as I was with NCAA 2k8. I was hoping 2k would come back in 09 and blow us away. Looks like I'll just have to keep moving on with NCAA 2k7, if you love college basketball and haven't played it you have to buy it.

  • 2ndWonder Site Greeter

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 12:31 am GMT

    Sounds like it colud be a good game, I'll keep a eye out on the reviews.

  • knighthawksfan

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 6:59 pm GMT

    I think this game will be alright but it won't be up to par like it should be. But u have to admit that ea is trying there best. There best college basketball game won't come out until 2009 december 4th. They way they would of had enough time to work on it. I am still picking this title up. If anyone wants to add me on xbox live GT knighthawksfan

  • ohjtbehaaave

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 5:38 pm GMT

    The Demo is kinda fun actually. I'll keep my eye on this one. Nothing can touch NBA 2K9 though. That game plays and looks stellar.

  • junglemixer

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 12:15 pm GMT

    We need 2K back. Thanks a lot EA, because now I can't buy a college hoops game for the first time in several years! Your games are the worst!

  • Skylinefreak27

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 9:50 am GMT

    Played the demo, actually liked it a lot, a lot smoother and it felt like a lot more fun than NBA Live, probably going to pick it up.

  • cjizzle3

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 7:34 pm GMT

    Does this game allow you to import your draft class into live 09

  • FlashCharge

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 6:29 pm GMT

    I agree that the major flaw of EA's basketball games has been it control system and how the games actually play. But maybe its only me.

  • whiteyyyy

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 11:40 am GMT

    played the demo, seems smoother than nba live is and much faster than last years

  • blackace

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 10:51 am GMT

    I'll play the demo and see. I wasn't to thrilled with NBA Live 09 demo. The game was not good. Control was clunky and not smooth. It's amazing how great these games look, but how horrible they play. NBA Live 08 controls actually felt better then '09' version and I don't know why. NBA 2K is still well ahead of NBA Live's titles. It's too bad they let the NCAA College Hoops franchise go. That was just dumb if you ask me.

Review Scores

PlatformGameSpotMetacritic / User Score
Xbox 360
Review this game
7.0
PS3
Review this game
7.0
PS2
Review this game
- -

Game Info

  • Xbox 360 PS3 PS2 Release Info

    • Release Date: Nov 17, 2008
    • ESRB: E
      Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.

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