Why Purdue basketball has a Patrick Mahomes situation with guard to watch in Big Ten

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Why Purdue basketball has a Patrick Mahomes situation with guard to watch in Big Ten

Why Purdue basketball has a Patrick Mahomes situation with guard to watch in Big Ten

Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star · Indianapolis Star

Thu, Oct 8, 2026 ·

2 min read

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ROSEMONT, IL — Purdue men's basketball coach Matt Painter has used NFL concepts before, including in the way he delegated offensive and defensive responsibilities on his staff.

Thursday at Big Ten media day, he used an NFL analogy to explain what a redshirt season did for guard Antione West Jr. He reached back almost a decade, to a choice Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid made which paid off in a big way.

"I compared it to Patrick Mahomes not playing instead of Alex Smith, who was a great quarterback in the NFL, and then learning that year," Painter said. "And then all of a sudden, in a quick amount of time, (he) is the best player in the NFL.

"He's going to be one of the better guards in our league."

Purdue men's basketball vs. University of Fraser Valley and University of Calgary on its 2026 Canada tour
(Chris Johnson/Purdue Athletics, Chris Johnson/Purdue Athletics)

Prior to the NCAA's new age-based eligibility model, players could not play in even one game and use a redshirt that season. West did not play a minute behind the veteran guard rotation which led another Elite Eight run.

However, he drew rave reviews from teammates for his practice production and on-ball defense . He showed some of that growing upside during Purdue's exhibition tour in Canada this summer.

Insider: Purdue basketball's Canada trip reveals a potential rising star: Antione West Jr.

On West: Best 'on-ball' defender didn't play for Purdue basketball, but soon will

Mahomes played only one game in his 2017 rookie season despite being a first-round draft pick. He started all 16 games in Year 2, throwing 50 touchdown passes and winning league MVP honors.

Later in the day, Painter went into more detail on why West deserves such a comparison. The Toledo, Ohio, native follows a good season behind the scenes with a strong summer. He's also proving himself as a two-way player, even if he must still make some crucial defensive adjustments.

"He's going to have to keep his aggressiveness and try not to foul out of games," Painter said. "Anytime you get those good defensive players, they're always on the hunt.

From Toledo: 'His eyes lit up': Trials and tribulations have Purdue basketball freshman primed to contribute

"But no, we're excited. He can create his own shot. He can play. Expecting him to be a good player for us."

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: Why Purdue basketball has a Patrick Mahomes situation with guard to watch in Big Ten

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Why Purdue basketball has a Patrick Mahomes situation with guard to watch in Big Ten

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour

See the best photos from Purdue basketball's Canada tour