BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's Hoosiers know Tuesday's game at Duke was a disappointment on a national stage.
They also know Saturday's 1 p.m. matchup with Northwestern is arguably more important in some long-term respects.
Because it is the Big Ten opener, followed by a first conference road-trip Tuesday to Penn State.
"It's that time of year that's a little unique in the Big Ten, where you take a deep breath and you remove yourself from non-conference play," IU coach Archie Miller said Friday. "And you have to really, really focus in, and understand that, regardless of what time of the year you play this game, it really means a lot.