Luke Ertel gets dose of 'what it's like' playing for Purdue basketball from Fletcher Loyer, fans
A departing Boilermaker and an incoming Boiler put on a show at Hinkle Fieldhouse in front of fans, largely Purdue.
INDIANAPOLIS ― Hinkle Fieldhouse was the scene of a swan song for Purdue basketball 's all-time best 3-point shooter and an ode to the heir apparent. When Fletcher Loyer and Luke Ertel crossed paths Friday night, they did so with a heavy Boilermaker contingent rooting both on in a 3-point competition, Loyer in the college contest and Ertel, fresh off an Indiana Class 4A state championship with Mt. Vernon, in the high school version.
"I told him, man, everybody here has Fletcher Loyer gear," Ertel said of his pre-contest encounter with Loyer. "Half the crowd is rooting for you. He's like, 'That is what it's like going to Purdue.
'" Both gave Boiler fans something to root for. Loyer's halfcourt shot won the trio of he, Portland State's Jaylin Henderson and Kansas' Elle Evans the shootout competition. Ertel won the high school 3-point shootout, the first Boilermaker since Loyer did so in New Orleans in 2022 and third overall, joining Ryan Cline.
Winner: Hometown 3-point champion was met with boos. Why former Indiana guard 'likes it that way' IUWBB swan song: How transferring to IU helped Shay Ciezki rediscover love of basketball Loyer, Purdue's all-time leader in made 3-pointers and one of just 11 players in program history to average double figure scoring for four straight seasons, left impressed by Purdue's incoming freshman. "He's ready to get to Purdue, ready to get to work," Loyer said.