NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition - A Deep Dive

College basketball season is a time of excitement and anticipation, culminating in the frenzy of March Madness. NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition, released as a downloadable exclusive for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live, attempts to capture this atmosphere, offering fans the opportunity to replicate the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship bracket and play as any of the tournament teams.

A Lone Wolf on the Court

Following 2K Sports' departure from the collegiate basketball scene, NCAA Basketball 09 stood alone as the only college hoops offering for a time. However, the game is a competent but underwhelming effort, lacking the pizzazz and atmosphere that sets college hoops apart.

Gameplay Mechanics and Features

NCAA Basketball 09 shares the same engine as its NBA Live counterpart, which has both advantages and disadvantages. While the occasionally curious bounces and unnatural player movements are noticeable, the default settings are more forgiving for the casual player. Hitting open shots, executing a simple pick-and-roll, and scoring in the low post doesn’t require extensive study.

Tempo Meter

One notable feature is the tempo meter, which introduces a layer of strategy. The game forces you to rethink your first choice of school. If your style is run-n-gun but your alma mater prefers a plodding, use-up-the-shot-clock mentality, chances are you’ll need to scout a safety school pretty quick. Ignoring the right style of play for your squad is a recipe for disaster, as the further you veer from the preferred tempo, the worse your players will perform.

Online Roster Downloads

Online roster downloads are another integral part of the mix, allowing fans to create and trade lineups. The audio team has pre-recorded lots of names that just happen to match those of many a real-life hoopster, another nice touch.

New Game Engine

Over 1,000 new animation sequences deliver a more responsive, intelligent experience. Apply pressure defense with new full-court presses and traps.

Real-Time Coaching Feedback System

Your school's coach is with you every step of the way.

Quick Strike Ankle Breakers

Force your defender to step up and guess what you’ll do next.

Lockdown Control

New risk reward system to lock in your check on defense. Get in tight on a strong shooting guard to take away his shot, or play back to keep a quick point guard from blowing by you.

Signature Playcalling

Introducing an accessible in game play-calling system that pushes on-court visualization to guide you through the play.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Pick and Roll Control

New two-man game mechanic enables you to control both the ball handler and screener simultaneously.

March Madness Edition Specifics

The March Madness Edition allows fans to authentically replicate the entire NCAA Tournament and play through the "virtual bracket" with their favorite team under the same conditions they'll face throughout March Madness.

Set The Tempo

Use all 94 feet to push the ball or apply full court pressure to force turnovers to speed the game up, walk the ball up the floor and initiate a half-court set or use a balanced attack to take advantage of what your opponent gives you.

Drawbacks

Despite these features, the game has its shortcomings. The arenas feel dark, and the crowds are lifeless, lacking the electricity that typically sets college hoops apart. The inability to update the historical rosters with names kept fans from loving the brand-new Legends Tournament. It seems winning the mythical all-time championship with “Generic North Carolina Guard #23” instead of His Airness doesn’t pack as much oomph as it could have.

tags: #ncaa #basketball #09 #march #madness #edition