The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

[moe_42]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

I thought I should add:

It is not possible to invite a recruit for a campus visit if you have more than one game scheduled during the week. A recruit visit requires 35 points of time, and if you have two games that week your coaching staff only has 25 points of time.

Campus visits are a huge recruiting tool and help draw great interest from a recruit. So it is good to make sure you have certain weeks available for campus invites, especially before the early signing period. You can do this by checking the next season's schedule and making changes necessary, as explained in post #6 of this thread.

Also - the recruit has to have at least 75% (I think) interest to come for a campus visit.

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Also - the recruit has to have at least 75% (I think) interest to come for a campus visit.

Yeah it's something like that... I think it says in the tip menu...

But I forgot about the time required for a campus visit and almost lost a nice 4 star center in the early recruiting period. It would've been a huge set back for my legacy.

[muggins]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Has anyone figured out sliders so that the defense doesn't hang back in the 2-3 or 3-2 zone? I'm talking about if the offense passes it to their guards on the wing, the pg or sg will run into the paint, then run out to the wing to cover, which usually ends up in a popped 3.

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Has anyone figured out sliders so that the defense doesn't hang back in the 2-3 or 3-2 zone?

While playing zone, or any defense for that matter, I've found it best to keep an eye on your entire defense to make sure your guys are in the best defensive position... And then use icon defensive switch to make adjustments as necessary.

[ehh]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Yeah, when running a zone, which is very rare for me, I keep an eye on the SF/PF because they have the tendency to do the dumbest thing such as letting a great shooter camp out in the corner without shading closer to him before he receives a pass. I frequently switch to them one or even two passes ahead of time if necessary and get them into a better position. Zones are not very well done in this game unfortunately.

[muggins]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Yeah, I make sure to track each player. The thing is, any time they swing the ball to one side the guard sags in the middle, running an L pattern into the paint and then out, instead of just a curve around the circle over to the ball. Just wanted to see if changing speed or something would fix that.

I like to run the zone because it makes the game seem more like college basketball to me - I just like zone more.

[ehh]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

I use it as a change of pace every once in a while but never run it more than three possessions in row unless I'm in a closed legacy. Just like IRL, I'm a fan of changing defenses throughout the game to prevent the offense from getting comfortable.

[K_rob11]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

wow...lovin this thread! Where were you a year ago??!!

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

...Where were you a year ago??!!

Playin' games on my PS2.

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Yeah, I make sure to track each player. The thing is, any time they swing the ball to one side the guard sags in the middle, running an L pattern into the paint and then out, instead of just a curve around the circle over to the ball. Just wanted to see if changing speed or something would fix that...

Ya know... This really touches on one of the finer points of the game. When what you're describing happens, it is an instance of the offense being successful in the flow of the game. You'll notice that when on offense a team is more likely to have success when running a play and trying to get into rhythm. Simply dribbling down the court with your star perimeter player, busting a couple of isos, and then trying to fire up a fade away runner simply doesn't work in this game... Or if it does it doesn't work often.

This game is pretty much weighted to the sim side of things, almost to a fault. I say almost because once you figure out how to work with within the sim elements, then you start to see the beauty of the game, and things start to free up and become more fluid.

Getting into that rhythm on offense is key, and so to have success on defense you must disrupt that rhythm. Little things like changing your defense, applying manual double teams, and putting your best defender on someone lighting you up can make a big difference.

This same approach of disruption must be applied when trying to stop the 3 from the 2-3 or 3-2 zone. This disruption must come from you however, and you cannot expect the CPU to apply it for you. You have to take control of the defender in question and anticipate the pass, getting in the shooter's face after the pass is made. If you sit back and allow the play to develop without any real attempt at breaking the flow of the offense, they're going to give you fits.

[muggins]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Ya know... This really touches on one of the finer points of the game. When what you're describing happens, it is an instance of the offense being successful in the flow of the game.

Not really, no.


This is what happens. Offense moves the ball to the wing, my player instead of running around the perimeter, sags into the paint and then runs out to the perimeter. Doesn't make sense and shouldn't happen.

You'll notice that when on offense a team is more likely to have success when running a play and trying to get into rhythm. Simply dribbling down the court with your star perimeter player, busting a couple of isos, and then trying to fire up a fade away runner simply doesn't work in this game... Or if it does it doesn't work often.

Yeah... I know that. This is why I voted it so far in OS "Best Game Ever" contest and was seen defending it in there from people who thought it was a "fanboy special".

This game is pretty much weighted to the sim side of things, almost to a fault. I say almost because once you figure out how to work with within the sim elements, then you start to see the beauty of the game, and things start to free up and become more fluid.

Getting into that rhythm on offense is key, and so to have success on defense you must disrupt that rhythm. Little things like changing your defense, applying manual double teams, and putting your best defender on someone lighting you up can make a big difference.

This same approach of disruption must be applied when trying to stop the 3 from the 2-3 or 3-2 zone. This disruption must come from you however, and you cannot expect the CPU to apply it for you. You have to take control of the defender in question and anticipate the pass, getting in the shooter's face after the pass is made. If you sit back and allow the play to develop without any real attempt at breaking the flow of the offense, they're going to give you fits.

Again, see above.

[moe_42]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

This is what happens. Offense moves the ball to the wing, my player instead of running around the perimeter, sags into the paint and then runs out to the perimeter. Doesn't make sense and shouldn't happen.

It's not just the Human D - the AI does it too. It's way too easy to hit 3s against the 2-3 or 3-2. When my players have decent defensive awareness, I can get some quality stops with the 1-2-2 and 1-3-1 (when used sparingly). The only issue I have is when my 7'3" center ends up at the point.

I like using the matchup zones - they play more or (okay, okay) less like matchups in real life. I give up the occasional wide open bunny, but I think that has more to do with my big mens' defensive awareness than the game's implementation of them.

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

muggins...

Does it happen when you manually take control of the player too? If it does, or if you want a way to work around it, I suggest creating a playbook for the CPU that doesn't include plays where this happens.

I'm at the point where I realize creating CPU playbooks is almost necessary. I just lost an elite eight game to a Michigan State team rated 96, with six players of at least a B 3-point shooting rating. I threw everything at them, and yet they shot 70% from the field and 70% from 3. It was the most absurd game I've ever played, and it was almost like everything was predetermined...

They would pass it to covered players under the hoop constantly for easy buckets, zip the ball around at lightning speed to the open man, and there were even instances where the player I WAS CONTROLLING would go for a pump fake EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT TRY TO BLOCK THE SHOT!

The only work around I see is to create CPU playbooks, and it should help with your problem too.

I'm going to create four different ones:

1. One that is balanced.
2. One the emphasizes post play.
3. One that emphasizes perimeter play.
4. One that runs a high post offense.

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

THE COUP DE GRÂCE (custom playbooks for CPU controlled teams)

I've hinted at creating custom playbooks for computer controlled teams within this thread, but have never actually tried doing it until today. My thought was that if you were to create a custom playbook that emphasized certain things, then it would have an impact on the way CPU controlled teams play.

Thankfully, for the sake of the game, that assertion was correct.

I created a custom playbook that dealt mainly with getting the ball into the low post, and to either the C or the PF... And if not directly into the post then at least in good scoring position. The results were VERY good, and bordering on great.

Game One, versus '57 Kansas- Wilt the Stilt dominates, taking 16 shots and scoring 20 point in the first half. He was at C and the starting PF took NO shots... So I thought I'd test another team, with a good PF...

Game Two, versus '68 Houston and Elvin Hayes at PF- He ends up struggling a bit and misses shots, and they seem to go away from him. Nonetheless he takes the most shots for his team at half time... So I decide to try another team...

Game Three, versus '97 Wake Forest and Tim Duncan at PF- This team also has Lauren Woods at C, though he's a freshman and rated in the upper 70s on my roster file. Duncan ends up scoring 10 by half time, also taking the most shots of anyone on his team.

So yes... This is... Potentially... A big deal...

I only have three sample halves... But they all panned out pretty well, as well they should have I suppose.

The thing is, I was thinking perhaps the CPU AI wouldn't discriminate between the PF and C. In other words, in the case of the Wake Forest game, I thought the CPU might use Loren Woods as much as Duncan... But that wasn't the case! There does indeed seem to be an ability by the CPU to find his go to guy... ESPECIALLY IF THE RIGHT PLAYBOOK IS PUT INTO PLACE!

Ahem... I feel this occasion calls for a smiley:

So... Custom playbooks not only help the CPU play more realistically, in terms of getting the ball to the right players... But also affords the opportunity to weed out some of the crappy plays... As well as adding some of your own!

EDIT: And don't forget post #3 of this thread... Turning off the double team before tip off!

[spit_bubble]

Re: The College Hoops 2K8 esoteric information thread (learn and discuss the arcane)

Guys... This custom playbooks for CPU controlled teams is looking to be as money as... Chris Corchiani...

I just played the most realistic game I have ever played... This is not an exaggeration either...

I decided to create a CPU playbook for perimeter players, focusing on the PG, SG, and SF. I assigned that playbook to '79 Indiana St. and then assigned the low post CPU playbook I created before to the the team I was controlling: '69 UCLA.

So yes, Bird vs. Alcindor... Two teams evenly rated overall too...

Bird starts out cold, missing shots he probably should have been making. Meanwhile, I let the CPU call plays for me, and sure enough it's calling plays for Alcindor... But not over doing it...

I go up by twelve midway through the first half, and maintain the lead to halftime. Bird eventually starts catching fire and shoots them back into it with a couple of threes...

It's back and forth down the stretch, and with three minutes to go I'm up one and throw an outlet pass that Bird steals and puts in for an easy layup... I swear it was eerily realistic... A head's up play that a player like Bird would've made...

In the final minutes the CPU keeps calling plays for Alcindor for me, every time down the court too! I thought this was a nice touch, because it shows the CPU knows what's up... And on top of that they were double teaming me right away! Very cool...

I end up getting a stop, up one... Get intentionally fouled... Sink the free throws with 8 second remaining...

They come down the court quick and find Bird in the corner to tie... Clank! He misses... Awesome game... Truly.

edit: forgot to list the stats:

Bird ended up with 20 points, 22 shots taken (next closest was 15)
Alcindor ended up with 28, 25 shots taken (next closest was 9... Yes I was gunning)

Final: 73-70

**********

Here's the plays I have set up for the playbooks, twelve plays in each:

CPU Low Post
BOX- Pick then Post
BOX- PF Double Screen
FLEX- C Dive
FLEX- PG-PF Pick and Roll
FLEX- PF Post Option
FLEX- PG-C High Screen and Roll
FLEX- PF Low Post
PRINCETON- C Low Post Feed
STACK- Double Cross
STACK- Screen Step Out
STACK- PF Pick and Post
STACK- Michigan

CPU Perimeter
BOX- PF Pop then Clear
MOTION- SG Spot Up
MOTION- SG Stagger
MOTION- 24 Motion
FLEX- SG Pick and Pop
FLEX- Screen Drive and Dish
UCLA HIGH POST- SF Low Post
UCLA HIGH POST- PG Pick and Roll
UCLA HIGH POST- Screen the Screener
STACK- SG Wing Iso
STACK- PG Clear Out
STACK- 41

I'm going to make one that is balanced too, for teams with both strong post and strong perimeter play.

Also, I noticed a strange little glitch... It seems if the play doesn't work... In other words, the players run through every step of the play without shooting... Then the CPU will call another play that sometimes isn't from the custom playbook. I think maybe they are drawing upon the playbook assigned to the coach of that team, rather than the custom playbook assigned before the game.