College Hoops 2k7

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:07 am

FatPitcher wrote:If you look at last year's top 25, most of them did not lose at all to any teams from weak conferences. It's good that it happens sometimes, but in CH2K7 it happens far too often. You'll typically see a 30-40 point margin of victory in those game in real life, but not in CH.

Yep. It's the frequency. That's the issue. You can't just say, "Kansas lost to O-Roberts in real life, so CH 2K7 is therefore realistic." You gotta check the full sample.

I have simmed about 10 seasons (each the first season, so there's no player turnover) and it's pretty much the same thing every year -- when you look at the power teams across the country, many will have multiple losses that are just baffling.

It's cool that LSU could lose to Wright State. But to also lose to Missouri Valley State and Samford as well? The same year Ohio State loses to Youngstown State (who couldn't beat OSU if they played 20 times even without Oden) and Cleveland State. Duke going 16-14 and losing to North Carolina Greensboro, San Jose State and Holy Cross? That same season Maryland lost to Florida A&M, High Point, and Iona.

I can only suspend my belief so far, ya know?

To me, this is the game's biggest hurdle. That and the really bad Top 25 polling AI. It's really the worst I have seen in a major college game in years. Granted, the top 25 isn't as big of a deal in hoops than it is in football, but it's still really bad.

This doesn't kill the game for me by any means. I enjoy playing it too much to let a bad sim engine ruin it, but this is something that I think clearly needs to be addressed for 2K8.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:03 pm

That's a shame to hear Bill. Did you toy with the Unity slider to see if it has an effect on gameplay?

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:10 pm

sportdan30 wrote:That's a shame to hear Bill. Did you toy with the Unity slider to see if it has an effect on gameplay?

Yep. No changes, unfortunately.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:58 pm

There's always TCB.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:10 pm

I'm definitely going to stick with this game, as I'm finding it a blast to play. I just wish everything was as ironed out as they had stated in their preview and comments at OS.

WSR · Post by **WSR** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:18 am

I bought this game off Ebay last week, so I should get it in the next couple days. Really looking forward to starting a Dynasty!

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:45 am

I entered the SEC Tournament as Georgia with a 14-16 record. I am now in the finals with a 17-16 record.. LSU is next. The automatic NCAA bid in college basketball is kinda dumb. I kinda hope I lose the championsip game as I dont' think I deserve a tournament birth.

A couple of things that bother me but are sort of silly. During the pregame warmups I have my starting SF doing layups with a torn ACL. I played Florida at the Georgia dome in the SEC tournament(they were home) and there was nothing but gator fans there. It should be split pretty evenly between Georgia, Florida and the other 2 teams that would play that day(which would be damn cool).

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:19 am

I guess I am the only person not liking this game. It feels like a tired old engine that is showing it's flaws. As we have talked about, the sim engine is abysmal, making the season feel pointless. When you are a #3 seed, there is no point looking ahead to playing the #1 seed because before you know it, some ridiculously week team will take out the top team in the region. And forget simming any season games, because a loss to an Ivy League school ain't gonna help your RPI.

The gameplay just frustrates me. Especially seeing layups hitting the back of the backboard for an out-of-bounds call - at least once or twice a game. I thought that NBA 2K7 did a much better game of basketball and was a lot more fun to play. I have given up trying to find a balanced set of sliders. This one is going on ebay.

WSR · Post by **WSR** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:59 am

Do any of you have any good sliders for this game? I just got the game in the mail today. Thanks!

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:24 am

kevinpars wrote:
The gameplay just frustrates me. Especially seeing layups hitting the back of the backboard for an out-of-bounds call - at least once or twice a game. I thought that NBA 2K7 did a much better game of basketball and was a lot more fun to play. I have given up trying to find a balanced set of sliders. This one is going on ebay.

The layups/shots that go straight up into the rim and backboard and the player's animations taking them out of bounds or backcourt are two things that have annoyed me about basketball games for years.

I also think that being "covered" negatively affects the success of mid-range shots too much. Even when I played high school ball, I could stick those shots with a hand in my face, no problem--my success certainly didn't drop from ~60% to ~10%. In CH, the mid-range shots are just not worth taking because an open 3 (which is much easier to set up) is less risk and more reward.

I also have a problem with how passing is done. The game's selection between bounce pass and chest pass when you hit the pass button is often mind-bogglingly dumb, making excessive steals even more of a problem than it already is. Also, using the normal passing system (not icon passing) often leads to passes that go to the wrong person. It seems like if I am pointing directly at a guy, the pass should go to him, but it doesn't work that way all the time.

In general, though, I still like the game. I never really got into the previous ones because of bugs and game-breaking balance issues, but this one is good enough to be worth playing.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:27 am

WSR wrote:Do any of you have any good sliders for this game? I just got the game in the mail today. Thanks!

I turned all the foul sliders up to 65, team unity down to 5. I get about 10-17 fouls per team per game.

I'm playing 20 minute halves now--seems to be giving good results and lets me use the whole 35 second shotclock and run a couple plays each possession without feeling guilty about messing up the stats.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:00 am

I started my legacy over last night after getting blitzed by Northern Arizona at home playing with Kansas. I made some pretty significant changes and I'm very excited about what I'm seeing so far. Albeit, it's only after one game.

I maxed out all my coaches attributes. Also, I put a bigger focus on defense (35%), and lowered my post percentage 10% and my offense 5%. In addition, I changed my team's offensive playcalling from "Motion" to "UCLA's High Post". This made a tremendous difference in running offensive plays. Now, my big men are posting up and not staying around the perimeter as much. Now, I can kick it back to the perimeter and throw it back in inside if need be.

On defense, the only change I've made is that I'm face guarding every player now, instead of controlling the center like I've done in the past. Now, as soon as I see the guy I'm guarding pass the ball, I immediately hit the A button, and I'm right in the face of the player receiving the pass. Before, it seemed like my players were sagging too much near the free throw line, and not guarding the perimeter shooters enough. It feels like pressure defense which is a main focus of KU basketball.

I too lowered team unity to 5. Whether it makes a difference or not, who knows. I'm playing 14 minute halfs and both teams had at least 3 players in foul trouble. Three of my players had two fouls each going in to half time. The only negative I'm seeing in regards to fouls is that no charges are called. Don't know if that can be fixed with a patch or not....

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:08 am

Man, some of you guys are tough. I'm not a huge college basketball fan, but I played a couple of games last night and had that, just gotta play one more feeling that some people have said about NHL 07. The pace of the game feels like basketball, no two games feel the same to me, and there are a ton of cool animations I've never seen in a basketball game before.

Last night, I put up a three and a defender managed to get just enough hand on the ball to make it fall short. Out of nowhere, a big guy of mine under the basket jumped up and with one hand, caught the short shot and slammed through the one handed dunk. The announcer even made some kind've comment after the play that actually described what happened, similar to the way that the commentary in MLB The Show manages to somehow be right on the money. I'm sure that if I was a bigger college basketball fan that all of the niggling little things that you guys are talking about would bother me, but as it stands I can definitely see myself playing this one into March. I just need to finally pull the trigger on a HDTV because the camera angle I'm using looks just like a TV broadcast, I love it.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:08 am

GTHobbes wrote:Man, some of you guys are tough. I'm not a huge college basketball fan, but I played a couple of games last night and had that, just gotta play one more feeling that some people have said about NHL 07. The pace of the game feels like basketball, no two games feel the same to me, and there are a ton of cool animations I've never seen in a basketball game before.

I don't doubt all these problems at all, but I had the same reaction. I cracked open the game and played just a 10 minute half game between Indiana (me) and Mizzou at Missouri. I lost something like 54-49, with Mizzou coming back late by forcing turnovers with their press. I played on All-Conference with default sliders and didn't see a lot of red flags. There were a good number of fouls including some and-1s, and the CPU only took 8 threes, making just 2.

I guess my question is: does it seem like the gameplay issues are more when playing with crappy teams?

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:11 am

GT,

I'm right there with ya. After the subtle changes I made last night, the game definitely has that one more game feeling to it. Sure, NBA 2K7 looks great and plays nicely, but I just love the atmosphere and gameplay better in CH. It's my choice for sports game of the year, although many people would disagree. Anyone can pick a part any game that's currently out and essentially ruin the experience for themselves.

I'm having a blast with CH, and can't wait to get home tonight to play another game in my legacy.

warnerwlf98 · Post by **warnerwlf98** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:18 am

sportdan30 wrote:I started my legacy over last night after getting blitzed by Northern Arizona at home playing with Kansas. I made some pretty significant changes and I'm very excited about what I'm seeing so far. Albeit, it's only after one game.

I maxed out all my coaches attributes. Also, I put a bigger focus on defense (35%), and lowered my post percentage 10% and my offense 5%. In addition, I changed my team's offensive playcalling from "Motion" to "UCLA's High Post". This made a tremendous difference in running offensive plays. Now, my big men are posting up and not staying around the perimeter as much. Now, I can kick it back to the perimeter and throw it back in inside if need be.

On defense, the only change I've made is that I'm face guarding every player now, instead of controlling the center like I've done in the past. Now, as soon as I see the guy I'm guarding pass the ball, I immediately hit the A button, and I'm right in the face of the player receiving the pass. Before, it seemed like my players were sagging too much near the free throw line, and not guarding the perimeter shooters enough. It feels like pressure defense which is a main focus of KU basketball.

I too lowered team unity to 5. Whether it makes a difference or not, who knows. I'm playing 14 minute halfs and both teams had at least 3 players in foul trouble. Three of my players had two fouls each going in to half time. The only negative I'm seeing in regards to fouls is that no charges are called. Don't know if that can be fixed with a patch or not....

I agree that the lack of charges is a problem - a lot of times, as a defender I get myself in perfect position and get the charge animation where I get knocked over, only to have a blocking foul called on me. I think a patch should be able to fix these circumstances and radically improve this game <fingers crossed>.

Hearing what you did with the training focus reminds me of the first time I altered those percentages. I took some away from fitness to boost my defense. The result was tons of injuries . . . I learned my lesson quickly after that.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:18 pm

sportdan30 wrote:On defense, the only change I've made is that I'm face guarding every player now, instead of controlling the center like I've done in the past. Now, as soon as I see the guy I'm guarding pass the ball, I immediately hit the A button, and I'm right in the face of the player receiving the pass. Before, it seemed like my players were sagging too much near the free throw line, and not guarding the perimeter shooters enough. It feels like pressure defense which is a main focus of KU basketball.

I think there's a normal/loose/tight setting somewhere.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:37 pm

I've been getting charges, but I've noticed that I have to be pressing the B button and not the L trigger to get them.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:43 pm

FP,

I realize you can change the defensive pressure settings. However, even with bumping up the defensive pressure to tight, I still found my defensive players sagging a few feet behind the 3 point arc. Also, it seems like they have a stronger tendency to pick up ticky tack fouls, expend more energy, etc.

With controlling the players myself, while I still pick up the occasional reaching in fouls, if desired I can play off the ball handler if need be. It just depends on who's hot behind the arc, and who's more of a role player. Plus, I like playing D more this year than in past years. By pressing up on the right stick, the player will raise their hands without jumping in to the player. I find it beneficial in protecting against the 3 point shot.

warnerwlf98 · Post by **warnerwlf98** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:35 pm

What are you seeing with the CPU's free throw shooting? In all the games I've played, I don't think I've seen the CPU miss more than 4 in a game (out of at least 16). In general, they shoot > 80%. Has anyone seen the CPU miss more free throws than I have?

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:51 pm

I am enjoying this game more and more. Having funcitonal practice modes, like 2 on 2 up through 5 on 5 either full or half-court, and the drills in particular, makes all the difference for me. I'm finally starting to get a handle on the rhythm and spacing of the game. I have fallen in love with the Wire camera as well and that's added a lot. I still crank fouls up to 85 overall and 70 for off the ball fouls, and it seems to work well with my 12 minute quarters. I've been enjoying the game online a ton even though I can't win anymore.

The interface must have been created by an insane person. It may make perfect sense to him, but not to anyone else because, well, apparently he's insane.

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:53 pm

After taking NC A&T to a 25-5 record in his 2nd year and a #9 seed in the NCAA tourney...and losing by 20 to #8 Utah, coach Abner was hired on as the new man at Pacific!

Going from the mid to high 60s rated players at A&T to players who are mostly all in the mid 70s -- wow. I feel like I am playing with the Globetrotters.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:15 pm

Bill_Abner wrote:After taking NC A&T to a 25-5 record in his 2nd year and a #9 seed in the NCAA tourney...and losing by 20 to #8 Utah, coach Abner was hired on as the new man at Pacific!

Going from the mid to high 60s rated players at A&T to players who are mostly all in the mid 70s -- wow. I feel like I am playing with the Globetrotters.

Congrats Bill! How did the rest of the tournament shake out?

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:48 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
Bill_Abner wrote:After taking NC A&T to a 25-5 record in his 2nd year and a #9 seed in the NCAA tourney...and losing by 20 to #8 Utah, coach Abner was hired on as the new man at Pacific!

Going from the mid to high 60s rated players at A&T to players who are mostly all in the mid 70s -- wow. I feel like I am playing with the Globetrotters.
Congrats Bill! How did the rest of the tournament shake out?

I think Duke won it as a #5 seed. I can't remember too many details. After I lossed I just simmed it and went to Pacific. I have learned just to play the game with blinders on and not look at the polls and whacky sim results.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:34 am

Bill_Abner wrote: I have learned just to play the game with blinders on and not look at the polls and whacky sim results.

The game has polls?