College Hoops 2K8 review

We've seen it a thousand times - a head coach steps down from his job, citing a need to spend more time with his family and oh-so-earnestly saying that he's retiring from the grind once and for all. A few months later, he resurfaces elsewhere, clamoring how his need to coach was too hard to resist. So it goes with College Hoops 2K8, the latest academic b-baller from 2K Sports. It'll drive you crazy to the point that you'll swear off of it more than once, only to return time and again for another shot at victory.

The heart of this unquenchable addiction is the Career Legacy mode, a long and winding road putting you in the shoes of a coach longing for the big time. You'll first pay your dues at a small school, replete with lousy players and a daunting schedule. Over time, you'll suffer heartbreaking defeats and enjoy wondrous victories, win and lose recruits, and slog it out in the hopes of landing a better job. It's not for impatient, as the combination of underskilled ballers and utterly mystifying scouting and recruiting menus will frustrate you beyond belief. Over time, though, you'll learn how to use what little talent you have and may even qualify for the Big Dance. Eventually, better job offers will come along and you'll ditch the small-time faster than you can say "booyah!"