ESPN College Hoops Impressions....

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:03 am

BD,
I don't know...I'm not seeing it. There is no dish and dump in this game. That's college b-ball. Not all the teams should play this way but its how a lot of teams create open shots. I just can't drive, when I do I get a charging.

Shooting seems too random. The CPU will make shots with players standing all over them. I do like that you need a hand in the face but its just too random. Sometimes the ball will go in and sometimes it won't problem is I don't know what I did differently from when I miss to when I make it.

I'm not digging this game and the frustration is growing. Maybe its because I haven't play NBA 2kX for a few years but this game just feels too random and stiff.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:11 am

dish and dump

What the heck is that.

Dish is pass and dump is dumping it back in. Would that not be the same thing as a give a go? I am used to watching alot of Tech basketball with Bobby Ball so I sort of go with all motion offenses and setting tons of screens myself.

Well don't know what to tell you. Some games are not for everyone.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:29 am

I meant drive and dish.

BD, I think its just a matter of not knowing how to play. I personally think that Live or MM is an easier game to play right off the bat. ESPN isn't bad I'm just struggling to do the simple things in the game.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:48 am

JRod wrote:I meant drive and dish.

BD, I think its just a matter of not knowing how to play. I personally think that Live or MM is an easier game to play right off the bat. ESPN isn't bad I'm just struggling to do the simple things in the game.

Ahhh gotcha... Well just keep practicing. One thing that helped me with dribble penetration is playing the ESPN 24/7 mode and doing alot of one on one. I learned to utilize the isomotion when I need it and ways to get around the defender w/o it and only using turbo.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:58 am

If you haven't already, turn up crowd chatter volume in the presentation menu. Crowd volume should also be turned up, but especially crowd chatter volume. It definitely adds to the atmospheric crowd. Before, I could hear a pin drop every so often, but now it remains fairly loud throughout.

I admit I haven't read the manual. However, I did check out the "extras" and "about the game". Watch the offense demo and you'll come away with a plethora of offensive schemes and whatnot. I love the give and go and hitting the Y button when a player is dashing towards the basket. It's almost information overload with everything you can do holding the Left trigger button and pressing a corresponding button. Great stuff.

What's the consensus on Bio Rythmn? Leave it on or off? Does it have any effect if you turn it off?

Has anyone played Florida? Mind goodness, Roberson shoots an unbelieveable amount of threes! Does FLA always play such a quick and chaotic brand of basketball? I am loving the different variations in styles of plays from team to team. I didn't see that in NBA 2K5 or at least it wasn't as noticeable.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:24 am

It appears they are one conference away from having complete Xbox downloadable rosters over at OS. That's unbelieveable how quickly it all came together. Should most likely be up tomorrow.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:28 am

sportdan30 wrote:It appears they are one conference away from having complete Xbox downloadable rosters over at OS. That's unbelieveable how quickly it all came together. Should most likely be up tomorrow.

Good to know. Can't wait to start some offline tournaments.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:30 am

I think the "take charge" button is well implemented. I have been drawing 3 or 4 a game using it. I tried to use it too often though against Slumberland and he shot 57% against me.

It's not perfect, but I haven't had much trouble going to the hoop with Pitt's Carl Krauser by just using a little shot of turbo. I hardly ever use Iso or the B button any more. It's much more fun to run the offense and get to the hoop by passing to the open man off a double team or setting a screen.

There are way too many blocked shots on dunk attempts. It's kind of sad when I'd rather see the hook shot animation than a dunk attempt by an All-American center. You can fix it offline though by increasing dunk effectiveness.

I love the free throw system. Absolutely love it. However, have you noticed that the same player doesn't always have the same animation on back-to-back free throws? It makes it harder, although unrealistic.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:53 am

Leebo, that was a great game today. When I made that run late in the second half, my heart was literally pounding in my chest.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:01 am

Slumberland wrote:Leebo, that was a great game today. When I made that run late in the second half, my heart was literally pounding in my chest.

Yeah, me too. You also just described my feelings in the two games I just played against Javi. You really have to concentrate in this game and stick to your team's strengths. In the first game against Javi I was patient with my offense and came from behind for a win at Georgia Tech. In the rematch I played an excellent first half fed by the adrenaline from the first game, but I couldn't maintain the focus and intensity and started playing out of control, missing FTs, jacking up too many 3's, etc.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:07 am

I picked this up over the weekend. Wow, this is finally the college hoops game I have been waiting for. It's amazing how, just by changing the play style of the CPU teams, the NBA 2k engine adapts to the college game.

My first game was Indiana (me) vs. Indiana St., and State came out right away and pressed. The CPU really mixes up its shot selection and seems to play pretty smart. I haven't touched sliders, but on All-Conference I'm seeing a good variety of fouls and offense.

A very cool game and one I think I will really enjoy. Time to sign up for the DSP tourney.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:30 am

Leebo33 wrote:
Slumberland wrote:Leebo, that was a great game today. When I made that run late in the second half, my heart was literally pounding in my chest.
Yeah, me too. You also just described my feelings in the two games I just played against Javi. You really have to concentrate in this game and stick to your team's strengths. In the first game against Javi I was patient with my offense and came from behind for a win at Georgia Tech. In the rematch I played an excellent first half fed by the adrenaline from the first game, but I couldn't maintain the focus and intensity and started playing out of control, missing FTs, jacking up too many 3's, etc.

I must admit the 2nd game wasn't as well played as the 1st one on both sides. We played more run and gun in the 2nd and it showed. The good thing about the game is that it permits that kind of frenetic pace w/o becoming having it become cheesefest.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:08 pm

Apparently the rosters are now completed and posted at OS.

http://forums.operationsports.com/vBull ... e=55&pp=10

Me wants to get home and play

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:26 pm

Xbox rosters are done and ready for download at OS.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 1:50 pm

JRod wrote:Shooting seems too random. The CPU will make shots with players standing all over them. I do like that you need a hand in the face but its just too random. Sometimes the ball will go in and sometimes it won't problem is I don't know what I did differently from when I miss to when I make it.

You're kidding right? It's a SHOT...it's always random. It doesn't go in all the time no matter what. Not even the best basketball player in the world will make EVERY shot. All you can do is get in their face and HOPE you distracted them enough to increase the odds of them missing. LOL.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 1:54 pm

javi wrote:Apparently the rosters are now completed and posted at OS.

http://forums.operationsports.com/vBull ... e=55&pp=10

Try this one instead...they closed that one since it was so big and confusing for the doorknobs who visit the site.

http://forums.operationsports.com/vBull ... p?t=103653

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 1:54 pm

Are you guys playing with Biorhythm and Clutchwhateverthingy on or off? After a few games, they seem to have WAY too much impact IMHO. I hate when they try to model intangibles in games.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:13 pm

RobVarak wrote:Are you guys playing with Biorhythm and Clutchwhateverthingy on or off? After a few games, they seem to have WAY too much impact IMHO. I hate when they try to model intangibles in games.

I'm wondering the same thing Rob. I've kept everything basically on default including what you mentioned. Have you tried playing with them off yet? If so, what kind of differences are you seeing?

Here's the problem I have with Biorhythmn. For example, my guard for Kansas, Aaron Miles is an excellent assist guard but the guy cannot shoot straight. If the "bio" is saying he's on fire, and my center, All-American Wayne Simien is cold (which of course is possible but not too frequently), do I go with Miles shooting from the perimeter? To me, that just feels a bit unrealistic. Sure he can drain a shot or two every now and then, but not like Simien. Also, it kinda is distracting to a point in terms of yanking some of my starting five out because of what the biorhythmn is reporting.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:20 pm

I'm glad someone replied to JRod's post. In basketball video games more so than in any other game there's going to be a randomness to a shot going in. You could have the perfect release on a shot and be perfectly wide open and clank it. It happens in real basketball. Same can be said for a player draining a 3 with another player's hand in your face. Sure, it can happen and it usually does at least a couple times a game. More times than not, he's going to miss. From what I've played of the game, if I'm up in a player's face more often than not he's going to miss that 3 pointer. Roberson from Florida must have taken at least 10-15 3's on me and hit only 17% because I was closely guarding him.

I guess I just wasn't understanding what he was trying to convey.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:39 pm

IMO, Biorithym ads a touch of reality to the game since more often than not, a player won't be as effective every game. Just like in real life, your stars won't always have it, so you need to adjust and look for the hot hand. And of course, if your star is "on fire" then you know where the ball must go to.

Can't get more real than that.

edit:
**Plus, for example, if a shooter is "cold" then you need to get him some shots closer to the basket so he can regain his confidence. Again. can't get more real than that.**

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:52 pm

javi wrote:IMO, Biorithym ads a touch of reality to the game since more often than not, a player won't be as effective every game. Just like in real life, your stars won't always have it, so you need to adjust and look for the hot hand. And of course, if your star is "on fire" then you know where the ball must go to.

Can't get more real than that.

edit:
**Plus, for example, if a shooter is "cold" then you need to get him some shots closer to the basket so he can regain his confidence. Again. can't get more real than that.**

I would tend to agree with Javi here. The biggest thing in team sports is overcoming adversity. When a player who you count on is having an off game someone else steps up.

Hell, I remember during the Jordan, Pippen, Rodman era the Bulls had this one game where Rodman was on fire shooting the ball. It was unreal, he even took and sank a few threes.

It would also take away from the feeling that you're playing the same way each time and force you to change your play depending on what's going on.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:00 pm

All good points. You two do make a lot of sense. I'm guessing a few trips to the free throw line might be able to turn a player's confidence around in a positive or negative way. Typically, if I have a guy that is struggling I'll attempt to try and get him to the free throw line if possible.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:10 pm

I haven't had a chance to play more than one half with the momentum features off, but I'll report once I do.

I'm sorry, but I have a problem when a player ends up "Ice Cold" just because he misses his first two shots. I understand what they're trying to model, but I think they inevitably overdo it. A 58%-quality shooter doesn't become the equivalent of a 30%-quality shooter just because he misses a few shots in a row, but that's how it feels in the game.

I'll check it out and see what the difference is.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:31 pm

RobVarak wrote:
I'm sorry, but I have a problem when a player ends up "Ice Cold" just because he misses his first two shots.

Are you sure this is the norm? I haven't noticed someone dropping to "ice cold" after missing a couple of shots.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:35 pm

javi wrote:
RobVarak wrote:
I'm sorry, but I have a problem when a player ends up "Ice Cold" just because he misses his first two shots.
Are you sure this is the norm? I haven't noticed someone dropping to "ice cold" after missing a couple of shots.

I've only played a handful of games, so I hesitate to say what's normal based on that sample size. But I did see it happen more than once.

BTW, sorry for declining that invite last night, but I literally had just put the game in for the first time. Wasn't ready to take it to the street yet