In the years to come, the 2018 Hall of Fame Classic will be remembered as a landmark event in the data-charged sports revolution. Held at Kansas City’s Sprint Center, it marked the first time in NCAA history that DI teams were allowed to access technology on the bench, getting real-time stats and analytics via ShotTracker’s Team App during games.
Swapping clipboards for iPads, the coaching staffs of Texas Tech, Nebraska, Missouri State, and USC used ShotTracker—the sensor-based system that instantly delivers more than 70 stats and analytics via an easy-to-use app—to identify their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and come up with game-winning strategies.
Coaches took advantage of real-time shot charts to pinpoint the spots on the court where their players were most effective. As a result, players were able to visualize, trust, and act on their coaches’ instructions like never before. “Any time you can show guys hard data, it’s a game-changer,” said Alec O’Reilly, video and analytics coordinator for Missouri State’s men’s basketball team. “What shots we’re currently getting, what shots we should be getting, what needs to change—being able to access that information in the heat of the moment is the next frontier in sports.”
That frontier is now within sight. Many professional sports leagues have technology deals in place which give coaches and players access to real-time insights during play. Now, thanks to ShotTracker and the NABC, NCAA coaches may soon have similar tools at their disposal for every game.
During the Hall of Fame Classic games, coaches used ShotTracker to analyze, gain insight into, and step up their teams’ performances. In the opening round, ESPN’s broadcast team overheard Texas Tech coach Chris Beard instructing his players to force one of USC’s forwards to the left, having seen that player’s first half zone map littered with made shots to the right.
After falling to Texas Tech, USC used ShotTracker-powered insight to defeat Missouri State in the consolation game. The Trojans’ coaching staff successfully encouraged their players to move the ball more by pointing to a 0.6 differential in points per possession when they made between four and six passes, as opposed three or less passes.
“As you become more familiar with ShotTracker, it becomes easier to use,” said USC director of basketball operations Michael Swets.
Texas Tech’s @CoachBeardTTU weighs in on how @ShotTracker is changing the game at this year’s @HOFClassic ! pic.twitter.com/r9zkV7dHl1
— ShotTracker (@ShotTracker) November 20, 2018
In the title game, Nebraska used its patented motion-based offense to jump out to 15-6 lead over Texas Tech. But the Red Raiders immediately stormed back with a 12-0 run. In the second half, Texas Tech pulled away for good, finishing with a total of 70 points and deploying a stingy defense to hold the Cornhuskers to just 52. Despite coming in second, Nebraska’s coaching staff was nonetheless impressed by ShotTracker.
“ShotTracker allowed out staff to make in-game adjustments, give instantaneous feedback, and show our team during huddles and halftime what they needed to focus on,” said Gregory Eaton, director of basketball operations for Nebraska’s men’s basketball team.
If the praise from coaches who participated in the 2018 Hall of Classic is any indication, tech on the bench is here to stay.
“Having the guardians of the game buy into what we’re doing has been very humbling and inspiring,” ShotTracker COO Davyeon Ross told the Kansas City Business Journal. “This is going to open up the doors because we’ve shown people what can be done.”
