This episode explores the application of analytics in college basketball, featuring Jonathan Safir, assistant coach of the Florida Gators, who discusses his career journey and the role of analytics in their national championship win. Against the backdrop of Safir's unconventional path from a D3 player to a key analytics figure, the conversation delves into his daily responsibilities, which range from spreadsheet analysis to on-court coaching and recruiting. More significantly, the discussion highlights the use of both readily available data and internally developed "hustle stats" to inform in-game decisions, such as substitution patterns and unconventional fouling strategies. For instance, Safir details their approach to fouling down early in games to increase variance and control possession, a tactic that generated national attention. As the discussion pivoted to the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, Safir emphasizes the importance of building team culture and strong player relationships to retain talent. Finally, the episode concludes with insights into the future of analytics in basketball, including the potential for further innovation and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the college game compared to the NBA.
