To say this is NBA Live with college kids would be a flat out lie. NCAA is its own beast and even supplies its own personal game engine with tons of unique animations, cut scenes, player models, and of course college arenas. The college atmosphere is simulated well with lively crowds, cheerleaders, mascots, and of course, rambunctious crowd levels that excels and dissipates depending on the tempo of the game.

While NCAA Basketball 09 does a great job of looking the part, there are a few hiccups along the way that may need to be sent to the showers for next year's version. For starters, the framerate has first generation bugs all over, from the cut scenes to even the in game action; you will notice that the game never runs at a smooth and consistent frame rate. While not of this really hampers the game play experience, it does take away from the presentation, which is otherwise top notch. On court the player models show great facial animations such as fatigue from wear and tear, frustration when they miss that simple lay up, and exhilaration after making that 3 pointer to tie the game. While this is all fine and dandy, it does bear to mention that some of the transitional animations have that stop and start feel to them, which not only looks odd and jerky, but could affect game play in the sense of delayed reactions. The new realtime coaching feedback is a big help when you are falling behind as you do get the correct calls when you shoot too soon, don't box out, or even take bad shots.

The presentation is rounded off with some fair audio enhancements, but for the love of all that's holy, please someone shut Dick Vitale up! I know he's the voice of college hoops, but when I have to hear “baby” for the umpteenth time throughout my 30 min game, I wanna pull my hair out. Otherwise, you will get pumped up by not only the crowd response, but your home band will kick out tunes for you while you take that late game lead.

NCAA is all about strategy, because lets be honest, these are kids and they make mistakes. It is up to you to know your player's weakness, clutch potential, and team strengths in order to succeed. Thanks to in game play calling, you can now double team that 3 point threat who is burning you, post a pick in the paint, or even switch it up to man to man defense on the fly. This helps to elevate your personal game to the next level and change on the fly where you are failing in the game as a team. Barring the aforementioned animation transfers, the game still plays very solid, quick, and most importantly fun. Gone is the rubber band A.I. of the past, gone is the inability to do something about that point guard who is lighting up the scoreboard, and gone is the sheer boredom of feeling like you are playing the same game with different backdrops.

NCAA Basketball 09 also delivers a slam dunk in depth and replay value. You have a 64 Greatest Teams Tournament, tons of major tourneys including Pre and Post season NIT, Anaheim Classic, and Old Spice Classic games. With the Online Everywhere feature you can now wait and watch rival users when they log on and challenge them, as well as sharing roster files through EA Locker 3.0. Of course what great college game would be complete without a Dynasty Mode? This year's is deeper and better with recruitment options from a real time database, a Dynasty Yearbook to review prior seasons, and even create a coach that will deliver that trip to the big game for your favorite underdogs.

It is true that NCAA Basketball 09 isn't a perfect basketball sim, but what it brings to the table is pure enjoyment for any fan that enjoys watching these kids bust their butts every week and not get paid for it. So if you can't wait for March Madness to begin and want it for the holiday, now's your time to pick up EA's college brand of hoops, it's the read deal baby!!!