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

[rkwittem]

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

....So I'm new to this game and I need a lot of tips. Gameplay is kinda frustrating to me at the moment. It has some nice moments but defense is insanely difficult and I can't seem to generate any open shots

[baccVols]

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

Ive got a tip I just recognized after at least 50 seasons. Simulate ahead to see the calendar for the next season. Because monday and sunday games can really affect your ability.especially if u get stuck one week only being able to call and email. Im actually thinking about not scheduling any games in the two weeks prior to early signing so I can focus on recruiting

[baccVols]

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

....So I'm new to this game and I need a lot of tips. Gameplay is kinda frustrating to me at the moment. It has some nice moments but defense is insanely difficult and I can't seem to generate any open shots

Start at page one of this thread. You will learn aloooot

[rkwittem]

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

Start at page one of this thread. You will learn aloooot

I've read about half but my defense is brutal. Guys wandering around, not in position, random double teams....I need to start at the very top. Right now, this game is very frustrating. Way too much thinking required to play this. I'm all for strategy and nuance in sports games, but if there needs to be a 50+ page thread just to adequately explain the depths and intricacies of a simple basketball game.....I'm finding it very frustrating.

[manustyle90]

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

I've read about half but my defense is brutal. Guys wandering around, not in position, random double teams....I need to start at the very top. Right now, this game is very frustrating. Way too much thinking required to play this. I'm all for strategy and nuance in sports games, but if there needs to be a 50+ page thread just to adequately explain the depths and intricacies of a simple basketball game.....I'm finding it very frustrating.

welcome to the one and only true basketball sim around

[rkwittem]

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

welcome to the one and only true basketball sim around

That's not very helpful. There has to be a "nuts and bolts" way to play this game that allows for branching out off that. Like I don't even understand how to challenge shots effectively.

[ehh]

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

You have to do a lot of manual work defensively, it's the complete opposite of Madden/NCAA Football if you're used to house rules for not switching on D.

1) Even if you set your man-to-man pressure match up to "tight" a lot of defenders will still sag off too far. One the best solutions to this problem is to set your default defense to a halfcourt m2m press. The does the best job of simulating defenses that pressure the ball ~35' feet from the hoop.

2) You have to switch a lot and challenge shots manually unless you have great individual defenders or you're at home/have momentum. When you see the CPU running a play or getting ready to swing the ball, switch the appropriate defender and get ready to close out/challenge a jumper.

3) Call timeouts if your defense is awful and use a "defense" POI. I've called three timeouts in the first few minutes of a game before. Momentum plays a huge role in this game - try not to let the CPU go on big runs.

4) The CPU in this game is tough and your team is not superman. Again, total opposite of Madden/NCAA, bad players will play badly. Ratings matter a lot in this game. If your team is young, has poor chemistry or just a bad defensive rating then it'll be a struggle on D. Road games in hostile arenas are also much tougher, you're team will play noticeably worse at times. Just like IRL, your players will ball-watch, lose their man, be out of position or be flat out lazy and not rotate some times.

5) There really isn't that much cheese you can do in this game defensively. If you gamble and go for a lot of steals/jump-steals you're going to get burned a lot. If you reach in for steals frequently you'll be in the bonus after a matter of minutes (non-MOP settings a full-court press can be cheese btw). So on that note, play D "by any means necessary" - do whatever you have to do to get stops. Switch constantly, go for steals if you can, manually challenge shots.

6) Basic basketball strategy - switch up your defense. The 2-3 zone is notoriously bad if you let the CPU do all the rotations for you but if you master it manually it can be good in stretches. So go Man, zone, throw in some full court pressure.

[rkwittem]

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

Thanks, ehh.


For reference, I'm much more accustomed to EA's NCAA basketball series. I guess that didn't really help me prepare for this game. At any rate, I'll give it another go later tonight and see if I've improved based on those tips.

[IlliniMatt]

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

Does anyone know if gameplay sliders effect simming a game with hoopcast?

[ogducknutz]

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

Thanks, ehh.


For reference, I'm much more accustomed to EA's NCAA basketball series. I guess that didn't really help me prepare for this game. At any rate, I'll give it another go later tonight and see if I've improved based on those tips.

Ea basketball were so much of an arcade style it's night and day with these games. You new to learn and study your offensive plays. It's not a dunk fest like old march madness games. I used the play them and thought "now that's college basketball!" Till I realized 6-0 point guards shouldn't be throwing down 360 dunks over 7 foot centers. The simulation in 2k8 is solid and you will see the benefits of it. You really have to be patient and give it some time. You will get better with every game you play. Learn AI tendencies with teams and offenses use pressure and right defenses on teams best players. Use the LB for double teams when you need to but try not to leave a solid 3 pt shooter open. There are some many pointers I could give for days here. I will try to help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ogducknutz]

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

Tight pressure. Ducking auto correct


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jmillhimes]

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

I picked this game up after a 3 year hiatus. I started off with St Francis and got rolled!!!! Same thing as other guy, I forgot how much goes into this game. So glad to have it back.

[EvanHarpell]

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

I think I am missing something. When I got poached by Gonzaga (awww yeah!) I went to do some recruiting and noticed that my coaches get less time per week than I did at my tiny school (UMES to start if you want a REAL challenge). I think it's the daily view sliders 2k7 used to do this too when ever you were promoted, but can't find a way to set them back to what I want.

[Brock]

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

I've been kind of itching to do the closed legacy, but don't want to use the schools available. Isn't there a trick to use any school (mainly smaller ones) in closed legacy?

[l3ulvl]

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

I've been kind of itching to do the closed legacy, but don't want to use the schools available. Isn't there a trick to use any school (mainly smaller ones) in closed legacy?

I think the team has to have an overall rating under 70 to be a closed legacy starting option. It's been awhile so I could be wrong, but pretty much just lower the ratings on your loaded roster for the team you want and they should be available