The idea of keeping in-depth statistical records on teams and players has literally been around for decades in the sporting world. But while a sport like baseball turned the corner and finally started to embrace the benefits of this type of analysis on a grand scale, a vast amount of college basketball fans, coaches and media members weren't exactly lining up to sort through spreadsheets of numbers back in the day.

The stereotypes of those pushing this new angle certainly didn't help the cause either. Experienced coaches and their hardworking assistants don't want to look at a list of their squad's true shooting percentages. These guys want to know if their 6'1" freshman guard can consistently pass out of a double team, or if he has the intestinal fortitude to drain a big free throw in the waning minutes. In a way, trying to get people to take notice this rising movement was like a diminutive team manager tugging on his coach's sleeves, painstakingly trying to tell him that his star point guard owns the worst second half turnover rate in college hoops. The data itself was right in front of everyone's eyes. The problem was that a vast majority didn't care to see it. And really, it was the intersection between those two extremes, the "stat-geek" and the "stubborn coach/athlete", that caused tempo-free stats to make a significant imprint on college hoops.

Technology will always continue to push the boundaries of how we digest our sports. There simply came a time when points, rebounds and assists became too monotonous. How did we arrive at those numbers? And how does that stack up against the rest of the programs in the country? The concept of comparing schools from opposite ends of our great nation became an intriguing topic. If team A runs constantly, scores a boatload of points and plays lackluster defense, how would they match up against team B who favors a half-court, defensive-oriented style?

Continue reading this post »

The second installment in our technological series focuses on a specific play from the 2000 NCAA Tournament. In this frame by frame breakdown, we're going to take a look at the positioning of a weak-side defender and how he can impact a game. But before we get started here, it's imperative that you consider how freaking cool it is that we can even do something like this in the first place. Technology has evolved in such a way that ANYBODY can break down game film and learn the nuances of this wonderful sport, one single frame at a time. It's something that not only gets us closer to the action on anpersonal level, but makes us all better fans in the end. Everybody wins. Okay, back on task. Big Ten rivals Purdue and Wisconsin are squaring off in the 2000 Regional Finals....

The player highlighted in turquoise, and the obvious focus of this breakdown, is Purdue's Greg McQuay. A senior at the time, the 6'7" big man played two years with the Boilermakers and averaged 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. What McQuay was well-known for, however, was his elite athleticism as a weak-side help defender. To put it simply: He loved to come out of nowhere and send shot attempts flying in the opposite direction (and really, who doesn't?).

Keep an eye on where the ball is set to go here, as the Badgers have a distinct advantage with McQuay stationed out at the three point line. It's interesting to note that McQuay's true intentions are to get his teammate down to the low post to cover the 2-on-1 scenario that has developed. Instead of clogging the lane on his own, McQuay is infinitely more valuable as a help defender and thus remains on the weak side. 

Much more after the jump...

Continue reading this post »

Home to some of the most passionate fan bases around, college basketball has always been a reach-out-and-touch-you type of sport. In football, the players and the action are each held on a pedestal at a measurable distance. There's no interaction there. With college hoops, the fans are an integral part of the spectacle. The signs, the chants, the taunts and even this guy all make the basketball environment a surreal experience.

But as technology continues to shape our daily lives for the better, the average fan is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about this beautiful sport. For those who aren't quite able to make it to the games themselves, a bevy of options are at your disposal.

The number one choice for those stuck without a ticket is a comfortable couch/chair and a nice, big television. Throw in a pizza and some beer and you've got it made. College basketball literally dominates the lineup on the weekends. And nowadays, every channel under the sun has an HD option that you just couldn't pass up ordering from your cable provider (me neither). Honestly, the growth of HD and 3D TVs in the marketplace has made fans perfectly content with not having to wait a single second for a bathroom line in a crowded arena. And with stuff like Samsung's Apps Built for your TV available, the entire concept of home entertainment is being flipped on its head in a good way.

The internet has also given us some interesting ways to keep tabs on our favorite programs. Along with the many dedicated blog websites out there, places like ESPN3.com offer streaming video of numerous games from around the country at no cost. This is a wonderful technological advancement for fans who are constantly traveling from city to city. With web access you can log into your favorite blog, chat with some like-minded fans and watch the game live at the same time. Very nice indeed.

Lastly, mobile devices like cell phones deserve a mention because of how quickly they have evolved into a bare necessity in our society. From young kids to grandparents, everyone has a portable battery drainer located somewhere in their pocket or purse. Many of these people rely on their mobile devices on a daily basis, and everything from live television to On Demand is now offered through a variety of packages. The applications that keep people updated with custom scores are also a nice touch. For the college basketball fan stuck at a wedding on the day of a big game, this is your ultimate solace.

So in the end, everybody wins here. Technology has brought us things that our parents never had. Fans can stay on top of their team from anywhere in the country, not missing the beat in the process. The passion and dedication are a big part of what makes this sport so great, so seeing more fan interaction through technology is a win-win.