Texas Basketball: Key numbers from each player vs. Eastern Illinois

Courtney Ramey (G) – 23 MIN: 7 PTS (2-4, 0-2), 6 AST, 3 REB

The moment did not seem too big for freshman Courtney Ramey in his first ever collegiate game. He had a big impact on both ends of the floor Tuesday night. On the defensive end Ramey proved to be a tenacious on-ball defender. His athleticism allows him to be very effective in Texas basketball’s havoc pressure.

He is very quick baseline-to-baseline with the ball in his hands, and on multiple occasions Ramey was the catalyst of a Longhorns fast break. Many of his six assists came on nice passes in transition. He had a few strong takes to the basket proving he can beat guys off the dribble in the half court.

All in all it was a solid debut for Ramey, and he should be able to handle vital backcourt minutes this season.

Jaxson Hayes (C) – 20 MIN: 12 PTS (4-9, 0-0), 4 REB, 2 BLK

Fran Fraschilla and Shaka Smart both came out and gave Jaxson Hayes high praise before the season started, and he did not disappoint in game one. Hayes had a few highlight plays on Tuesday night, including a sequence where he volleyball swatted a ball off the backboard, ran the floor, and was rewarding with a vicious dunk in transition.

Hayes is the teams only true center, and will play a key role as a paint protector. He is still in the process of adding to his frame, so he is not where he needs to be as a one-on-one post defender. What he does do is allow guys on the perimeter the opportunity to gamble knowing they have a solid rim protector behind them. The offensive game is a work in progress, and many of Hayes’ points this season will come off of lobs or at the line. He was not effective in two back-to-basket scenarios.