There was not much madness on the first day of NCAA Tournament games at Rupp Arena on Thursday.
With none of the four games played in Lexington decided by fewer than 14 points, drama was missing for most of the day. But there was at least one breakout star.
You just will have to wait at least 17 more years to watch him actually play basketball at the college level.
As Creighton senior point guard Steven Ashworth drained clutch shot after clutch shot to end any hope of a Louisville comeback in the Bluejays’ 89-75 first-round win, it was his 9-month old son Tommy Jay that captured the attention of fans watching the CBS broadcast of the tournament’s first Thursday game across the country. Bouncing up and down wearing a set of Creighton blue noise-canceling headphones, Tommy might not have understood exactly what his father had just accomplished, but he appeared to be having as much fun as anyone in the building.
“Not quite sure if he understood the national spotlight that he had, but we made sure to document a few things for him so that when he understands it, he’ll be able to appreciate that he was the first star of March Madness,” Ashford said Friday. “It’s a cool opportunity, and it’s funny, and we had some good laughs last night, for sure.”
Creighton Bluejays guard Steven Ashworth’s wife, Peyton Ashworth, holds their son Tommy Jay Ashworth during the second half of the game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Aaron Doster USA TODAY NETWORK
In the post-pandemic era of college sports, it is not uncommon for rosters to be littered with players older than one might typically expect to see on a college team.
But the reason Ashford is still playing for Creighton is different than players like Kentucky quarterback Zach Calzada, who will suit up for a seventh college season this fall thanks to multiple eligibility waivers. Like UK men’s basketball freshman Collin Chandler, Ashford’s career started two years later than normal while he completed a Mormon mission after graduating high school.
The Alpine, Utah, native then started his career at Utah State. After three seasons at Utah State, he transferred to Creighton in 2023. He is using the waiver granted all players during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to compete in a fifth and final college season this year.
“I’ve never had a married player and I have two of them on this team, (Ashworth) and Ryan Kalkbrenner,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “Their leadership has been great. They’ve really included the rest of our team in their lives.
“… So it isn’t like they all go their separate directions after practice. They’ve included our younger guys into their families as their families are starting to grow. It’s been really cool. When Tommy comes to practice, he’s the most popular person in the gym with all our players.”
For Kentucky fans, Ashworth’s story could be particularly interesting beyond the fact he helped send the Wildcats’ archrival home after just one NCAA Tournament game.
Ashworth knows both UK coach Mark Pope, who tried to recruit him to BYU out of the transfer portal in 2023, and Chandler, who Utah State recruited out of high school while Ashworth was a player there.
As Chandler, a former four-star recruit, shakes off the rust that came with two years away from the game during his mission, Kentucky fans can take hope in a future impact like Ashworth, who averages 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, has had for Creighton.
“It can be really difficult,” the 6-foot, 175-pound Ashworth said of the adjustment Mormon players face after returning from their missions. “And I think especially for certain players and play styles, it can be different as well. For a guy like me, driving on my cardio and shooting ability and skill set, you lose some of that touch of those skills. I don’t have the physical stature to where some older age or a few more years puts more muscle or size on my body.
“So it really was a difficult thing, but I think that I learned from it that when you put God first, he’s gonna put you in position to be successful. And so even after that first year, although the adjustment was tough, I felt like I was in really good shape, and was able to hone those skills back in on the basketball court and then develop the confidence that I need.”
Creighton Bluejays guard Steven Ashworth (1) celebrates after making a three pointer during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Jordan Prather USA TODAY NETWORK
Ashworth, who said he did not feel back to 100% after his mission until midway through his sophomore season, has followed Kentucky this season due to his previous connections with Pope and Chandler and has noticed a growing confidence in UK’s freshman guard as the season has progressed.
“He’s gonna be a really special player in a few years,” Ashworth said. “… I’ve had a few interactions with him over the years, and he’s a great kid. Great family. And wish him nothing but the best.”
Of course, Ashford’s current focus is on leading his team to an upset of No. 1 seed Auburn in Saturday’s second-round matchup.
If Ashworth and Creighton can keep that game close, television producers will certainly be looking for Tommy in the stands, but the 7:10 p.m. EDT tipoff might make it harder to find him. Ashworth’s wife, Peyton, has grown skilled at rocking Tommy to sleep for quick naps during halftimes of games, but he did miss a handful of regular season contests that started after his normal bedtime.
As of Friday, no endorsement deals from baby product companies had come for Ashworth, but surely those opportunities will start coming if the Bluejays extend their March Madness run.
In that scenario, Tommy might have to share the spotlight with his father though.
“He loves the crowd noise,” Ashworth said. “He loves the Jumbotron. He loves the games. It’s fun to have him out here in Kentucky, and it’s something that not every college basketball player gets to do is play in front of their kids. It’s been an honor.”
Saturday in Rupp Arena
No. 1 seed Auburn vs. No. 9 seed Creighton
What: NCAA Tournament South Regional round-of-32 game
When: 7:10 p.m.
TV: TBS
No. 2 seed Tennessee vs. No. 7 seed UCLA
What: NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional round-of-32 game
When: 9:40 p.m.
TV: TBS
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM.
