2K Sports' college hoopster also puts a great deal of emphasis on coaching. You're able to make Coaching Adjustments during halftime, choosing from a list of pre-selected options. It has a good effect on the team's motivation, pushing them to score better as a result. Just make sure you make the necessary decision when it counts -- it can make all the difference between a win and a loss.

There's plenty to do outside of quick exhibition games. Along with the outstanding Play Designer mode, you also have Tutorial and All American Challenge modes. These put you into a number of scenarios to test your skills, including Maximum Passing and scoring situations. The All-American Challenge has fourteen activities of its own to put you through your paces, including shootout contests and the ability to match-up against better-known basketball pros. Online play also returns. Here, you have the option to upload your plays and team roster against others to see how you fare against the competition.

Legacy Mode returns yet again, and it's better than ever. Most of its aspects remain the same from last year, including drills, coaching decisions and the importance of performing well as a team. However, the recruiting system now involves an amateur basketball league, letting you pluck high school players right from the field. It would make a difference if actual high school/college players were available, rather than the generic roster 2K Sports generates (since NCAA prohibits the use of real pros and numbers).

Presentation mostly hits the mark. The graphics look good, representing the mantra of college b-ball. However, some player models are better looking than others, and the game occasionally slows down. With audio, the game has terrific (if overexcited) crowd noise and chants, college band music and realistic sound effects. The commentary team is robust as well. Vern Lundquist and Bill Rafferty are a lively duo, supported by Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg in the studio along with Tracy Wolfson on the sidelines. Not only do they keep up with on the on-court action, but they also note small items, such as when coaching changes go into effect and when a team hits a "hot streak".

College Hoops 2K8 has a little ways to go before it can catch up to its big brother, NBA 2K8. The lay-up issue is in desperate need of a fix and the graphics require more effort. However, when it comes to getting into the spirit of college b-ball, designing masterful plays and coaching tomorrow's hopefuls, 2K Sports still knows how to score.