Indiana Preview -- A Report From the Field

Your MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS vs the INDIANA HOOSIERS
THE JACK BRESLIN STUDENT EVENTS CENTER -- EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011, 7:30 PM EST
TV: BTN
ONLINE RADIO FEED: Spartan Sports Network

PREVIOUS INTELLIGENCE: Our intelligence predicted this Hoosier squad to storm through their opposition until they hit Kentucky. The Wildcats had them nearly defeated when a critical error in strategy (not fouling when they had one to give) allowed the Hoosiers to fire the final shot that lead to their victory. That win was the only one by single digits so far this season as they have dispatched Butler, North Carolina State, and Notre Dame with ease.

- BOMBARDMENT AT RANGE The Hoosiers have hit targets from a range of 20 feet, 9 inches and beyond (colloquially known as a "three-pointer") 45.9% of the time. This places them 2nd among all squadrons in this measure. Be sure to keep reconnaissance on Hoosier marksmen Jordan Hulls and Christian Watford at all times; they hit "three-pointers" at a rate of 56.7% and 50.0% respectively.

- STOUT INTERIOR DEFENSE Hoosier opponents have only hit their targets successfully 41.4% of the time, ranking them 22nd among all combatants. New recruit Cody Zeller is a concern, as he intercepts or "blocks" 6.1% of all shots when he is on the floor.

- DRAWING SANCTIONS ON THEIR OPPOSITION As the saying goes, war is hell. Sometimes however, neutral parties give aid to those that break the rules of the Hightower Convention and penalty, or foul shots are taken. For every two normal shots taken at the opponent the Hoosiers have taken one of these foul shots, ranking them 9th among all combatants.

- SHOT RECOVERY WHILE DEFENDING The enemy is quite efficient at recovering their missed shots while attacking. They rebound their misses 36.5% of the time. However, they allow their opponents to corral their missed attempts 32.2% of the time, which makes them average in that respect. Comrades Green, Nix, and Payne will be relied upon to use this vulnerability to its utmost.

- CASUALTIES Two of the six soldiers commandante Tom Crean relies upon most (or in the general parlance, receive the most minutes) are struggling with injuries. Sixth man and wing Will Sheehey rolled his ankle in training on December 20th, while guard Verdell Jones had a hip flexor injury in a game the day after. While Jones might join the battlefield, Sheehey is not expected to recover in time.

Indiana is much stronger than we thought they would be at this time. Care must be taken when we are in Indiana territory, as they counterattack (often referred to as a "turnover) 26.2% of the time. The Hoosiers have only left their home state once however, and has not seen a territory as hostile as this in some time. Our citizens will be needed to provide much morale to our troops, and we need to defend our perimeter well. If we do those things however, we will prevail.

Signed,

Peter Rossman

Information Officer 1st Class