October 15, 2008
EA SPORTS Partners with Blue
Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook to Provide Team Scouting Reports in NCAA
Basketball 09
University of North Carolina Tar
Heels Top Rated Team In NCAA Basketball 09
Electronic Arts Inc., today unveiled
a partnership with Blue Ribbon™ College Basketball Yearbook to provide team
ratings and team scouting reports for the EA SPORTS™ college basketball
videogame NCAA® Basketball 09, scheduled for release December 2 for Xbox 360 and
the PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2.
Blue Ribbon College Basketball
Yearbook has been the leader in compiling accurate scouting reports of college
basketball teams for 28 years and EA SPORTS will utilize its scouting reports
and data to drive its college basketball videogame.
“We are always looking at new ways
to create a more authentic gameplay experience for our fans and this new
partnership with a recognized industry leader is significant,” said Peter Moore,
President, EA SPORTS. “This partnership enables us to replicate with precision
the playing style of every Division I school in NCAA Basketball 09 this year.”
NCAA Basketball 09 introduces a new,
strategic gameplay feature that challenges gamers to replicate their school’s
style of play and set the game tempo to enhance their chances of winning.
Whether your school pushes the ball in transition, runs a half-court offense
that utilizes the clock and limits possessions or features a balanced attack
that combines transition offense with set plays, NCAA Basketball 09 rewards the
strategic gamer by emphasizing team specific styles of play. In addition, NCAA
Basketball 09 will feature Division I coaches in-game for the first time,
providing real time instruction and feedback, helping players control the tempo
by executing their team’s offense and defense to perfection.
“The partnership between EA Sports
and Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook will bring a level of realism never
before experienced while playing NCAA Basketball 09,” said Chris Dortch, Editor,
Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. “Because for the last 28 years, when
college coaches begin the process of scouting their opponents, the first
resource they turn to is Blue Ribbon. To have that sort of resource– which
coaches all around the country have come to rely upon–available in NCAA
Basketball 09 is unprecedented.”
In partnership with Blue Ribbon
College Basketball Yearbook, EA SPORTS today revealed that the University of
North Carolina, an NCAA Tournament Final Four finisher a year ago, is the top
rated team in NCAA Basketball 09. EA SPORTS named the Tar Heels No. 1 followed
by Pittsburgh (2), Notre Dame (3), UCLA (4) and Connecticut (5).
EA SPORTS PRESEASON TOP 25
1. North Carolina
2. Pittsburgh
3. Notre Dame
4. UCLA
5. Connecticut
6. Oklahoma
7. Louisville
8. Duke
9. Tennessee
10. Texas
11. Memphis
12. Purdue
13. Michigan State
14. Miami
15. Arizona State
16. Baylor
17. Kansas
18. Marquette
19. St. Mary’s
20. Syracuse
21. Gonzaga
22. Villanova
23. USC
24. Wisconsin
25. Washington
NCAA Basketball 09 is in development at EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game is
rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB and will ship to stores on December 2. To
learn more about the game visit
www.ncaabasketball09.com.
