Monday movement

We are fully immersed in "good get" season. Despite all the debates on whether the one-time transfer role is good for the game, one thing is for sure: The transfer portal player movement makes for compelling storylines that we'll be tracking for months.

Let's get to the news.

1. For all he's (Ash)worth

This Sunday night tweet sure delivered:

Yesterday saw a rush of players decide on new destinations, and few will impact their program more than Steven Ashworth.

If you haven't heard of the former Utah State point guard, it's time to get familiar. This past season, he posted unparalleled offensive efficiency for a guy his size — the 6-1 floor general ranked top-25 nationally in both offensive rating and true shooting percentage. 

Part of those gaudy numbers stemmed from his long-range marksmanship. Note his 106 made 3s at a 42.9 percent clip. And a chunk of those were deep; the junior connected on 15 trifectas from beyond 25 feet. Moreover, he combines that shooting gravity with playmaking acumen (26 percent assist rate), creating open look after open look for his teammates.

Thus, it's no surprise that Greg McDermott and Creighton sought his services. Due to Ryan Nembhard's transfer, the Bluejays were in the market for a dynamic backcourt leader.

Incidentally, Ashworth shared how the coach invoked Nembhard's role in his recruiting pitch. Have a listen to yesterday's live stream that broadcasted his commitment:

Between Ashworth and Baylor Scheierman, Big East foes will find it tough to slow down this Creighton attack. And if Trey Alexander returns to Omaha ... you might as well brace for another postseason run from the Jays.

2. Arrivals and departures

Ashworth wasn't the only big-time player to commit yesterday. Here are the other most notable decisions:

DJ Horne (Arizona State) to NC State:With Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner departing, NC State must replace a ton of production in the backcourt. Horne gets them one step closer to that goal. The Raleigh native spent the past two seasons at Arizona State, where he showcased his worth as a score-first guard; he eclipsed 18 points in seven games last season. The 6-2 senior told On3 that he chose NCSU because “home is where the heart is” ... But I'm sure getting 15ish shots a game in Kevin Keatts' system doesn’t hurt either.

RJ Melendez (Illinois) to Georgia:Melendez first developed a relationship with Mike White when the coach recruited him while at Florida, the flagship university of Melendez's home state. Now, two years later, White hopes that the one-time top-100 recruit will realize his potential in Athens. As a freshman, the 6-7 wing flashed for the Illini in limited minutes before seeing his efficiency tank this past season. However, Opportunity will favor him at Georgia. The Dawgs lost Kario Oquendo, leaving a minutes void on the perimeter. 

Jared Bynum (Providence) to Stanford:Sure, Bynum might be a little streaky. But he gives Jerod Haase something he hasn't had since Tyrell Terry suited up for the Cardinal in 2020: a guard who can create his own offense. Additionally, his facilitation skills (28.4 percent assist rate) will help Stanford replace Harrison Ingram.

El Ellis (Louisville) to Arkansas:Another guard? Sure, why not! Eric Musselman added his fourth backcourt player yesterday, as Ellis joins Khalif Battle (Temple), Tramon Mark (Houston) and Keyon Menifield (Washington) in Fayetteville. The former Cardinal provides instant offense — and always played well against the ACC's top teams, despite his poor supporting cast — but he'll need to improve defensively to earn a more substantial role.

Best of the rest: 

• Chance Westry (Auburn) to Syracuse

• Adam Miller (LSU) to Arizona State

• Myles Stute (Vanderbilt) to South Carolina

• Jemarl Baker (Fresno State) to New Mexico

• Ishmael Leggett (Rhode Island) to Pitt

• Dale Bonner (Baylor) to Ohio State

Of course, one man's gain is another man's loss. Another slew of noteworthy players entered the portal yesterday. 

Jaylon Tyson, Texas TechLate Sunday night, The Athletic's Tobias Bass broke the news that Tyson would leave Lubbock; then, he officially entered on Monday. The smooth-shooting wing will have no shortage of suitors, as he broke out down the stretch of last season (13.2 points, 48.6 percent from 3 over his final 10 games.)

Ven-Allen Lubin, Notre DameThe rising sophomore big strung together a handful of impressive performances down the stretch of his rookie campaign, including a 19-point, 8-rebound, 3-block outing against Wake Forest. Moreover, his 5.1 block percentage would have ranked sixth in the ACC had he played enough minutes to qualify.

Daeshun Ruffin, Ole MissInjuries have limited Ruffin, a former McDonald's All-American, to just 25 games in his two-year career. Nevertheless, the diminutive point guard still carries plenty of upside — he just needs the right situation to tap into it. 

3. Early offseason winners

OK, this discussion will probably morph and evolve like a Pokémon 15 times over the next three months. But let's check on the teams that feel the best about their offseason so far, with the help of Dauster, T.O. and Fanta (starting around the 41:30 mark.)

Duke (grits teeth) garners most of the hype. That's the natural result of returning two possible lottery picks, Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor. But it's not just that duo — the Blue Devils also bring in four 5-star recruits, and they'll have the luxury of easing those guys into their roles. 

Nevertheless, John Fanta urges listeners not to sleep on Michigan State. Tyson Walker's return provides an enormous boost for the Spartans. The 6-0 guard blossomed in Year 2 in East Lansing, and he especially showed his mettle in the NCAA Tournament. In him, AJ Hoggard and Jaden Akins, Michigan State will deploy one of the best backcourts in the country. 

Along the frontline, all eyes will be on Xavier Booker. The 6-10 incoming freshman ranks as a consensus top 10 recruit — but that distinction heavily factors in potential. However, so long as Mady Sissoko, Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler can play serviceable minutes, Sparty shouldn't falter as Booker acclimates. 

There aren't many holes in this roster. Fanta makes a strong case when he emphatically claimed that Michigan State can end the Big Ten's title drought!

A run to remember

Alijah Martin and Johnell Davis stepped into the national spotlight with Florida Atlantic's run to the Final Four. What was that experience like? How have things changed since then? And what's coming up next season? They discuss it all with Jeff Goodman.

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Links to click as you contemplate housing some McDonald's. 

• Miami star Isaiah Wong declared for the draft, foregoing his final year of eligibility.

• Montana State hired Matt Logie from Point Loma (D-II).

• Joel Scott, the D-II Player of the Year, committed to Colorado State.

• Mike Brey will join the Atlanta Hawks' staff.

Thanks for reading The Field of 68 Daily! If you have a news tip or feedback, email us at [email protected].