Is EA Sports Bringing Back College Basketball Excitement?

Basketball Is Back: EA Sports Targets College Hoops

EA Sports has officially dropped a bombshell for basketball fans—college basketball is making a comeback! The news hit the feeds when their official account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a sleek image of a basketball emblazoned with the EA Sports logo. Accompanying the image was an electrifying message: “Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame.”

This tease hints at a revival of the beloved March Madness brand, which first made waves in 1998 with the launch of NCAA March Madness 98 on the original PlayStation. EA’s college basketball offerings were a staple for years, continuing annually until NCAA Basketball 10, which hit consoles in November 2009.

While “bring the madness” certainly evokes the March Madness name, there’s no hard confirmation yet. EA might opt for a fresh title like EA Sports College Basketball, aligning it more closely with the successful EA Sports College Football series.

The Landscape of Basketball Gaming

It’s essential to note that after a seven-year hiatus, EA hasn’t produced any basketball games. The publisher once dominated the basketball scene with its NBA Live series, stretching back to NBA Live 95 and culminating with NBA Live 10. However, an ill-fated attempt to reboot the franchise with NBA Elite 11 derailed their momentum, leading to a temporary withdrawal from the basketball gaming arena.

The series flickered back to life with NBA Live 14, followed by sporadic releases like NBA Live 15, 16, 18, and 19. The cancellation of NBA Live 20 left fans in a lurch, making NBA Live 19 the last title in the series, which launched in September 2018.

Today, the basketball gaming throne belongs to 2K Sports, with its NBA 2K series reigning supreme. EA’s pivot to college basketball seems strategically timed, likely spurred by the phenomenal sales of EA Sports College Football 25. Released in July 2024, this title shattered expectations, becoming the best-selling sports video game in the U.S. based on dollar sales, surpassing even NBA 2K21.

With a sequel, EA Sports College Football 26, slated for a July 10 release, players are eager to see how EA will handle the transition back into the basketball arena. With the phrase “bring the madness” echoing through the gaming community, the anticipation is palpable. Only time will tell if EA Sports can reclaim its spot in the hearts of basketball fans once again.