After more than a decade on the bench, college basketball is officially returning to the virtual hardwood. EA Sports has confirmed the revival of its beloved college basketball video game franchise, sending fans into a frenzy with a cryptic but unmistakable message: “Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back.” The announcement follows the massive success of College Football 25, and signals a full-court press by EA to reclaim its place in the college sports gaming space.
The new game, tentatively titled EA Sports College Basketball, is expected to feature both men’s and women’s Division I programs, marking a historic first for the franchise. While the release is still a few years away, the early buzz is already building. EA’s proposal reportedly beat out multiple bids from other developers, and the game is being designed with NIL integration, deep dynasty modes, and a full suite of modern features that reflect today’s college basketball landscape.
But EA might not be the only player in the game.
2K Sports, the powerhouse behind the NBA 2K series, has also teased a return to college hoops. In response to EA’s announcement, the official NBA 2K account posted, “The campus has been quiet for too long 😏,” followed by a statement from 2K declaring, “We have a strong history with college hoops and are exploring exciting new ways to bring athletes and schools to life. Class is in session.” While 2K hasn’t confirmed a standalone title, speculation is swirling that a college mode could be integrated into future NBA 2K releases—or that a full revival of College Hoops 2K could be on the horizon.
The rivalry between EA and 2K in the college basketball space dates back to the early 2000s, when both companies released annual titles. EA’s NCAA March Madness and later NCAA Basketball series competed directly with 2K’s College Hoops franchise, with many fans still considering College Hoops 2K8 the gold standard for college basketball gaming. Licensing issues and legal battles over player likenesses eventually sidelined both series, but the new NIL era has opened the door for a long-awaited comeback.
With EA already deep into development and 2K hinting at its own plans, college basketball gaming is poised for a renaissance. Whether fans will see two competing titles or a single dominant franchise remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the digital hardwood is about to get crowded again.
