The evolution of sports analytics: A Q&A with UNC Charlotte expert Michael Schuckers

October 7, 2026 - 23:38

The world of sports analytics has grown far beyond simple box scores and basic statistics. What once amounted to a few dedicated hobbyists tracking shots and saves has become a core part of how professional teams build rosters, plan games, and evaluate talent. Michael Schuckers, a professor in the School of Data Science, has watched that shift firsthand. His work consulting for teams in the National Hockey League and other professional leagues has placed him at the intersection of data and decision making.

At UNC Charlotte, students are not just learning theory. They are working directly with real data sets and helping teams answer questions that matter on the ice, the court, and the field. Schuckers notes that the demand for people who can clean data, build models, and explain results in plain language has never been higher. Teams want answers they can act on quickly, whether that means choosing a draft pick or adjusting a defensive scheme.

The growth of tracking technology has also changed the game. Every pass, shot, and movement can now be measured. That flood of information creates opportunities for analysts who can separate signal from noise. Schuckers argues that the next wave will focus less on collecting data and more on asking better questions. For students entering the field, the message is clear: the numbers matter, but so does understanding the sport itself.