Still a ways to go

OK. So at least now we know.

At least now we know just how good Archie Miller's impressive collection of newbies and returning vets are -- and more to the point, just how good they aren't. They aren't as good as Mike Krzyzewski's even more impressive collection of newbies and returning talent at One-and-Done U. One-and-Done U. -- aka, NBA Team-In-Training, aka, Duke University -- is better. Like, way better.

Miller's Indiana Hoosiers and One-and-Done U. met in Durham last night, and 'tweren't pretty for the Bloomington lads. One-and-Done had them down 53-29 at halftime before Coach K lifted the throttle. The final, 90-69, was therefore something of a mirage in gauging exactly how much distance there is between K's legions and Miller's.

In any case, the obvious conclusion is that Romeo Langford, Robert Phinisee 'n' them ain't R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson 'n' them. This is no knock on the former; right now hardly anyone is R.J. and Zion 'n' them. Which suggests, if you're a Hoosiers fan, Indiana will hold fast to that knowledge and not let last night's beatdown sour them going forward. Instead, they will apply some perspective, and realize that Romeo, Robert 'n' them are still a vast upgrade over last season, and that they'll still be good enough to beat most comers on most nights this winter.

In other words, they'll use last night as a measuring stick, not a stick with which to beat themselves over the head. Or at least Hoosier Nation can hope.