WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue basketball is adding a non-conference game against a 2026 NCAA Tournament team this season.
Cal Baptist will play at Purdue on Dec. 21, CBS Sports‘ Jon Rothstein reported.
The Lancers are coming off a 25-9 season and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, where they lost to Kansas in the opening round.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel reacts as he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel’s family reacts as he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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See our favorite photos of spring 2026 in Indianapolis
Luke Ertel puts on a jersey after he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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See our favorite photos of spring 2026 in Indianapolis
Luke Ertel takes a photo with his family after he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel gets a photo with his family after he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel (back) speaks with his mother Amy Ertel after is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel looks at the Mr. Basketball jersey after he is named this year’s winner on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel’s family watches as he puts on a jersey after he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel (front) gets a hug from his mom Amy Ertel after he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon head basketball coach Joe Bradburn (right) speaks as Luke Ertel (left) is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel (left) is congratulated by Jack Parker, superintendent of the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation, after Ertel is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon head basketball coach Joe Bradburn (right) shakes hands ith Luke Ertel (left) after Ertel is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel holds his 3-week-old nephew Ross, who is wearing his jersey number, for a photo after he is named Mr. Basketball on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
There are five finalists for 2026 IndyStar Mr. Basketball (from left): Brady Scholl, Dikembe Shaw, Luke Ertel, Noah Smith and Brennan Miller.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon’s Luke Ertel attempts a 3-pointer Friday, April 3, 2026, during the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon senior guard and Purdue commit Luke Ertel signs autographs for kids during the College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championship Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon senior and Purdue commit Luke Ertel and Fletcher Loyer of Purdue together during the College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championship Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon senior guard and Purdue commit Luke Ertel wins the high school division in the College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championship Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon senior and Purdue commit Luke Ertel wins the high school three point competition during the College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championship Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer and Mt. Vernon’s Luke Ertel talk Friday, April 3, 2026, during the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon, Brennan Miller, Lawrence North, and Julian Vogt, Carmel, compete in the high school three point challenge at the College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championship Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Lawrence North’s Brennan Miller, Mt. Vernon’s Luke Ertel and Carmel’s Julian Vogt stand on the court Friday, April 3, 2026, during the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) reacts to the action Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) walks off the court for a timeout Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) claps after missing a basket Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) guards Crown Point Bulldogs guard Kingston Rhodes (2) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Crown Point Bulldogs guard Bryce Peters (11) guards Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Owen Daugherty (14) and Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) celebrate Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Mt. Vernon Marauders defeated the Crown Point Bulldogs, 52-50.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Crown Point Bulldogs guard Kingston Rhodes (2) goes up for a basket against Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Crown Point Bulldogs guard MJ Wilson (4) goes up for a basket against Mt. Vernon Marauders forward Brady Webber (23) and Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Luke Ertel (12), Mt. Vernon Marauders forward Max Vise (30) and Mt. Vernon Marauders guard Ben Schaeffer (3) celebrate Saturday, March 28, 2026, after winning the Class 4A IHSAA boys state basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Mt. Vernon Marauders defeated the Crown Point Bulldogs, 52-50.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Pike Red Devils TJ Davis (2) defends Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) cuts a piece of the net Saturday, March 21, 2026, during a Class 4A semistate championship game at New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle, Ind. The Mt. Vernon Marauders defeated the New Albany Bulldogs, 77-69.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) goes up for a basket against New Albany Bulldogs guard Reese McKee (0) on Saturday, March 21, 2026, during a Class 4A semistate championship game at New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Jack Guerre (21), New Albany Bulldogs Noah Washington (2) and Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) go for a loose ball Saturday, March 21, 2026, during a Class 4A semistate championship game at New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) celebrates in the huddle on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) celebrates in the huddle on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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20 players who eclipsed 1,000 career points in high school
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) makes a layup on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) drives to the hoop on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) shoots a 3-pointer on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) celebrates a 3-pointer on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Max Vise (30) high fives Luke Ertel (12) on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) and Pike Red Devils forward Landon Lampley (12) react after a call on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon senior Luke Ertel.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Luke Ertel, Purdue’s top men’s basketball recruit in the class of 2026, watched his first Big Ten game from the front row when Purdue beat Penn State Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) makes a lay up in overtime at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) gets assistance from a trainer at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) and Crown Point Bulldogs Dikembe Shaw (23) fight for a rebound as the Crown Point Bulldogs battled the Mt. Vernon Marauders in the Henry Community Health Boys’ Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game, Dec 23, 2025; New Castle, IN, at New Castle Fieldhouse.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Luke Ertel (12) goes up for a basket against Pendleton Heights Ashaan Singh (21) on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, during a game at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton. Mt. Vernon defeated the Pendleton Heights, 62-47.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Pike Red Devils TJ Davis (2) defends Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Max Vise (30), Mt. Vernon Luke Ertel (12) and Mt. Vernon Jack Guerre (21) surround Pendleton Heights James Hughes (33) on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, during a game at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton. Mt. Vernon defeated the Pendleton Heights, 62-47.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) drives in for a shot as the Crown Point Bulldogs battled the Mt. Vernon Marauders in the Henry Community Health Boys’ Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game, Dec 23, 2025; New Castle, IN, at New Castle Fieldhouse.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mount Vernon’s Luke Ertel poses for a photo Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at Fishers High School.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) fights for a loose ball at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mount Vernon’s Luke Ertel poses for a photo Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at Fishers High School.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Pike Red Devils TJ Davis (2) defends Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) at the free throw line as the Crown Point Bulldogs battled the Mt. Vernon Marauders in the Henry Community Health Boys’ Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game, Dec 23, 2025; New Castle, IN, at New Castle Fieldhouse.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Junior All-Stars Luke Ertel of Mt Vernon (21) attempts a basket Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as the boys Indiana All-Stars team faces the Junior All-Stars at Greenfield-Central High School in Greenfield, Ind.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Luke Ertel (12) goes up for a basket against Pendleton Heights Hayden Fox (2) on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, during a game between Pendleton Heights and Mt. Vernon at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon guard Luke Ertel had 36 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in the Junior All-Stars 119-108 win over the Kentucky Juniors on Sunday.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) shoots a free throw in overtime at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) with the 3 point attempt as the Crown Point Bulldogs battled the Mt. Vernon Marauders in the Henry Community Health Boys’ Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game, Dec 23, 2025; New Castle, IN, at New Castle Fieldhouse.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Luke Ertel (12) jumps back Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, during a game between Pendleton Heights and Mt. Vernon at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) brings the ball up court at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Max Vise (30) rebounds the ball near teammate Mt. Vernon Luke Ertel (12) on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, during a game between Pendleton Heights and Mt. Vernon at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mount Vernon’s Luke Ertel poses for a photo Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at Fishers High School.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Pike Red Devils Ian Macon (1) drives on Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
(From left) Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon; Keriawn Berry, Avon; Noah Smith, Plainfield
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Photo gallery: Mt. Vernon guard and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel
Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) gets assistance from a trainer at Pike high school Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Indianapolis. Pike defeated Mt. Vernon in overtime 84 to 81.
Cal Baptist transitioned from Division II to Division I in 2018.
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Purdue, coming off a 30-9 season and Elite Eight appearance has a nonconference schedule that includes Gonzaga on Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, a home game against Tennessee on Dec. 12 and a road trip to Iowa State, a return trip after the Cyclones played at Mackey Arena last season. Purdue also reportedly will host Valparaiso, per The Victory Bell‘s Paul Oren, and Illinois State, where former Boilermaker Ethan Morton is director of basketball operations, per Field of 68‘s Rocco Miller.
Purdue annually competes in a December game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and a multi-team event around Thanksgiving, though no announcements have been made on opponents.
Purdue’s Big Ten schedule was released on Monday and includes home-and-away games against Indiana, Illinois and Rutgers. Additionally, the Boilermakers will host Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, UCLA and USC and plays at Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Washington and Wisconsin.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball schedule adds Cal Baptist, Valparaiso, Illinois State: Reports
