Venus Control Suite Data Studio: Running Pregame and Test Game Checks for NCAA Stats

• For Data Studio [Sport] setup instructions, see: Data Studio: How do I configure the data feed?

• Before the game is marked live/active according to the schedule obtained from Genius Sports, it will appear on the right-hand side under Upcoming Games on the landing page.

1. If a game appears gray, it will not output through Data Studio, even if a provider is configured.

This occurs when:

1. 1. The provider (configured school/team) is not connected to an output.
      1. Users should correct this if they intend to output that game.
   2. The game is an away game for the configured team.
      1. Users should temporarily change the provider configuration to the home team if they need stats for an away game.
      2. ⚠️Not recommended as users may forget to switch back before the next home game.
3. Games disappear from the Upcoming Games list within 5 minutes of the Genius schedule marking them active/live.
   • Data Studio checks the Genius schedule every 5 minutes to determine if the game has started.
4. A game will appear yellow once the scheduled start time has been reached, but the game has not yet been marked live/active by Genius Sports (this may be delayed up to 5 minutes). 

1. Be sure to follow proper Genius Sports procedures to stream the scheduled game through Live Stats.
   1. Reference: NLS for Basketball - FAQ – Genius Sports
2. On Game Day, the game will appear on landing page with details and a countdown until pregame (which begins 1 hour before scheduled start time).
   1. For a double header (or both men and women games at home on the same day): 
      1. Only Game 1 appears on the landing page.
   2. Game 1 will load 1 hour before its scheduled start time and will output data until its completion.  
   3. After Game 1 is completed (and finalized in Genius LiveStats), stats will clear and Data Studio will begin preparing to output data for the second game. 
      1. Game 2 will only appear when it is less than 1 hour from its scheduled start time.

3. 1 hour before the game’s scheduled start, the countdown reaches 0 and the game enters PREGAME mode.
   1. In PREGAME mode, Data Studio [Sport Name] downloads team and player season stats and updates the Season Stats for that game.
      1. Users may manually update season stats or game info earlier via the output’s 3-dot menu. 
4. 30 minutes before the game’s scheduled start, Data Studio will connect to the livestream and begin updating feeds. 
   1. This requires the game to be active in Genius' LiveStats.

⚠️ Important: If a live game is detected for the team configured on that output, it will take priority over all other content. If you are a running a test game or replay, Data Studio will automatically switch to the live game within 30 minutes of its scheduled start. 

• A warning message appears if a user is running a replay or manual game while an upcoming game for that output is approaching.

Method 1: Run a Replay of a Previous Game from Genius Sports 

1. Use a replay of a previous game in Data Studio to verify connection and data flow prior to a live event. 
2. Follow instructions in Data Studio: How can I play test data to verify my content?
3. Confirm that scoreboards, overlays, and dashboard elements update as Genius Sports data is received.
4. When complete, end the replay and reconnect to the scheduled live game.
5. Finalize all testing before the event begins.

 Method 2: Run a Test Game 

⚠️ Note: Use this method sparingly, (ie. spring football games or system checks). 

1. If the event is not an official scheduled game in Genius (for example, a spring football game), and it does not appear in their upcoming games list, contact Genius Sports to have it created.
2. Request that Genius set up the game on the production server.
3. Genius will provide a Game Key. Enter this key in Genius Live Stats software. Once entered, the associated game data will be available to stream.
4. Next, determine the Game ID:
   • In Live Stats, go to Help → Game Information.

• • Locate the Game ID listed there.

5. To enter the Game ID into Data Studio 
   • From the Output menu, select Start Game.
   • Enter the Game ID provided by Live Stats software. 
   • Once connected, plays entered in Genius Sports appear in Data Studio in real time. 
6. Verify Outputs and Displays
   • Confirm that scoreboards, overlays, and dashboard elements update as Genius Sports data is received.
7. End the Test
   • When checks complete, end test game, then reconnect to the scheduled live game.
   • Manual test games do not override live scheduled games.
   • Complete all testing before the event begins.

1. Verify that rosters, provider configurations, and media outputs are functioning correctly.
2. Validate that live data displays in real time before the start of the event.

• Monitor the Data Studio dashboard or layout preview to confirm:
  • Scoring, plays, and player data update automatically as Genius Sports sends new information.
  • Displayed values match Genius Sports system to verify accuracy.
• If stats stop updating:
  • Refresh Data Studio
  • Confirm the game remains active in Genius Sports.
• When the game concludes:
  • Verify final scores and player stats display correctly
  • Confirm the game closes out normally.

• Data appears in Data Studio as soon as Genius Sports transmits it.
• For non-NCAA or high school games, follow the same workflow and verify the provider feed with your assigned stat vendor.
• This unified process replaces sport-specific pregame procedures, creating a consistent verification method across all NCAA sports supported in Data Studio.