ESPN College Hoops
 

Picked it up last night. Best Buy didn't have the PS2 version in stock, so I went with the Xbox version even though I don't have Xbox live. My early impression is that it is a good game, but I really suck at it. I think the problem is I am not used to the Xbox controller. I came from behind to beat Wright State with Indiana in my first game on the default middle level, but then lost a squeaker to Cornell. Also, I have yet to make a foul shot... :(

Good game, but it will probably go on the shelf in favor of NCAA Football for now. Still rebuilding IU, which is a long process... :)

Does EA know you did this...



Well someone had to post it.

I haven't bought college hoops, but I turned the FT assist on for ESPN NBA basketball. There free throw system is just too hard and I like real percentages to apply anyway.

Cool. I didn't know there was an option for FT assist. So far, I need it.

You'll notice, I plugged an EA game at the end to help cleanse myself for the sin of buying a Sega game.

Don't think there is FT assist on the college game. I don't have any trouble with the NBA FT's. Seem to be able to line everything up and hit the button about the correct percent. It seems to be a lot more difficult in the college game (as I guess it should be). The FT controls seem much more touchy and difficult to line up in College Hoops. I do like the game very much too.

Wow, I know it is pretty sad, but if there is no FT assist, that would really be a reason for me not to buy the game. FT's are impossible for me (I just don't think my hands are very steady on the triggers) and playing a game where you never make one would kind of suck.

What I do for NCAA basketball 2k3 (last years ESPN) is just turn my team over to the computer while my player(s) are attempting free throws. I suppose that may seem silly to do at first and may break house rules or something like that, but once you get used to it its no big thing at all.

I don't think the ESPN College game has free throw assist unfortunately. If it does, someone tell me where as I would love to have it on as I play on All American level with sliders and everything is perfect except for free throws being too fast and a little too hard. If there is free throw assist setting I would definitely use it.

Once you get used to it, I am getting good results. After 11 games my Nuggets are shooting 74% as a team. Pretty neat to see me fall in the middle of the league.

I've never been a good joystick jockey and the trigger centering seems especially hard for me. Practicing in 24/7 mode, I didn't make a single free throw. I just don't have the time to try for hours so that I can hit maybe 50%. My trigger fingers just don't stay still.

24/7 mode is the hardest w/free throws because your guy is default a 50 or 60 rating! That probably does not help you.

For free throws I go to (off the top of my head) Options, Coaching, Role Play and choose a different player to role play before the free throw. After the computer shoots the free throw I go back and chose the No Role Playing selection on the first line to go back to normal. Not a perfect system but it works well.

It'd be nice if they just came up with a decent free throw system so this wouldn't be an issue.

I've never found any free throw system to be satisfying. I just think that is why you should have the option to turn it off.

Funny how some people find it incredibly hard, and others have no problems with it.

It is very sensitive to the gamepad you use though, when I play NBA 2K3 and NCAA 2K3 I only used my Controller S. NBA 2K4 seems a lot less sensitive so I can use my Pelican Eclipse wireless controller and still sink about 75% of my free throw attemps. With the previous versions I was shooting about 80% with Controller S and 30% with any 3rd party controller.

I still think the old Bulls vs. Lakers T-bar was the best. If they could bring it back and tweak it so players would still randomly miss a couple shots every now and again when you nail it dead-center, I would be in heaven.

I actually made one free throw last night.

Just the one though.