EA Sports puts in the offseason hours, kills it with NCAA Basketball 10 Trailer.

I came across the trailer for EA Sports' NCAA Basketball 10 and got giddy. I had to share it. But what gets me really excited is seeing the difference just a year can make. We say it all the time in sports right? How much are you going to progress in the offseason? How many hours are you willing to put in to make this happen? Nothing great comes without sacrifice, without pushing yourself. That's especially true with NCAA Basketball - which I think often gets lost in the shadows of NBA Live or NBA 2K, much like a mid-major looking for attention in a world that pumps power conferences on every ESPN channel imaginable.

And from the looks of the initial trailers, the EA developers put in some time. They wanted to create a better college feel. And, though it's only a trailer, I like what I'm seeing. Let's go to the videotape.

NCAA Basketball 10 First Trailer

Here's the first trailer from last year, NCAA Basketball 2009.

What a difference a year makes?

Here's what I gleamed, just from watching two trailers specifically designed to show off the strengths of the game.

• Announcers will play a larger role in NCAA Basketball 10. I don't think it's simply that way because there is no commentary on last year's trailer. It is because of the situational comments that seemed to ooze from this year's game. I am hoping that's true, as there is something about March Madness that the announcers add - it's that final ounce of energy that just makes things feel electric.
• Motion. It's clear that this year's game will have more realistic offensive movements. Cutting and moving without the ball. That's why college hoops is an amazing game. We saw them on this trailer. I hope that translates to the game.
• Timing. Last year's launch was December 4. This year it's November 18. That's a big difference. Now we all have something extra for our Thanksgiving breaks! But it also signals they are hitting more in the flow of the game -- launching this one day after the 24 hours of college basketball hits ESPN. Killer.

So props thus far to EA Sports. Can't wait for more details, and to play this one.

Andy