MBB HOKIES 17-18 | MEDIA GUIDE

When it comes to technology and its uses in creating an elite-level basketball program, no team takes advantage of this more than Virginia Tech. Very few, if any, teams use these technologies in the way that the Hokies do. Beginning last season, the Hokies began the practice of using iPads. iPads allow the players to watch film provided by the staff wherever and whenever they want. This use of iPads allows the players to be coached by technology and not just coaches. The team also uses Team Synced, an app for the players’ mobile devices. This app allows for myriad of uses, including sending video clips, checking on class work, sending updated daily schedules and allowing for instant communications between the staff and the student-athletes. The men’s basketball staff integrates state-of- the-art hardware and software to instruct, inform and improve the on- and off-court performance of the players. This new, progressive technology enhances the day-to-day life of the program by producing metrics that help the staff better prepare for upcoming contests. The program uses Mac-based software to assist the coaching staff in providing the players with up-to-the-minute instructional tools. The student- athlete is linked into the system, along with every member of the staff, and provided instantaneous instruction, empowerment and critiques. Among the software packages utilized are SportsTec, Synergy, StatsPass, Fast Draw and Final Cut Pro. The hardware includes two high-definition cameras in the Hahn Hurst practice gym that allow filming from all angles with great clarity. This better helps in the tracking of player movements in the implementation of these software packages and provides the opportunity to turn ideas into video. SportsTec is a high-end package that allows for the coaching staff to clip games and generate scouting reports. It provides visuals from both games and practices that help breakdown opponents’ tendencies and allow for better instruction of Hokie players. SportsTec allows metrics to be turned into visuals for instruction. Synergy is an analytical-based program that allows for better scouting of all opponents, putting all their contests just a click away on various platforms. StatsPass is like a box score on steroids. It takes all the numbers in a regular box score and further breaks them down into specific details. Fast Draw is a technology that turns the concept of plays into visuals, allowing for better understanding in the teaching and learning process. Final Cut Pro is a video editing software that allows the staff to create highlight videos, motivational clips and opponent highlights quickly and professionally for use in a wide variety of areas and platforms. The updating and rebranding in the Hahn Hurst Practice Center resulted in new video boards being installed, and those, along with much of this technology, allows Tech’s coaches to stop a practice, gather the team around a screen and instantly instruct the players on specific points. The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team and staff use of all of these cutting-edge technologies on multiple devices: be it laptops, tablets or even cell phones. This allows for almost instant instruction and feedback following practices and contests. T E C H N O L O G Y @VT_MBBall @vthokiembb VTMBBALL 82