Why Purdue’s Painter sees Ertel as more Edwards/Ivey-type guard than Braden Smith

Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter likes what he sees with guard Luke Ertel, the 2026 Indiana Mr. Basketball from Mt. Vernon High School.

But does Painter like him more as a Braden Smith-style guard or a Carsen Edwards/Jaden Ivey-style guard? Smith is the NCAA career assists leader, Edwards was a 3-point shooter and Ivey mixed outside shooting with attacking the basket for thrilling dunks.

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“Luke’s ability to compete is his No. 1 strength,” Painter told Jon Rothstein on a recent “Inside College Basketball” podcast. “He’s not scared of the moment. He’s gonna compete. He’s gonna keep coming at you. But just learning the nuances of the game and fitting in to how we do things (will be critical). He’s a good player. He’s not scared. He lays it on the line of both ends.”

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(From left): Joe Barry Carroll, Zach Edey, Braden Smith of Purdue basketball

(USA TODAY Network photos)

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(From left): Joe Barry Carroll, Zach Edey, Braden Smith of Purdue basketball

(USA TODAY Network photos)

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Purdue center Zach Edey (15) in 2022. Edey scored 2,516 points from 2020-24.

(Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier)

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Rick Mount scored 2,323 points between 1967-70.

(File/Journal & Courier)

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Joe Barry Carroll scores against Duke in the regional finals of the 1980 NCAA tournament at Lexington, Ky. Carroll scored 2,175 points from 1976-80.

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E’Twaun Moore drains a 3-point shot over Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger in 2011. More scored 2,136 points from 2007-11.

(John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

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Dave Schellhase drives to the basket against South Dakota in a mid-1960s game at Lambert Fieldhouse. Schellhase scored 2,074…

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Publish date : 2026-08-24 08:31:00

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