The Maryville (TN) varsity basketball team will host a non-conference game against Baylor (Chattanooga, TN) today at 7 p.m. as part of the Renasant Bank Classic.

Here’s what you need Basketball to know:

What: Tennessee High School Basketball
Who: Maryville vs Baylor
When: Friday, December 27, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Baylor vs. Maryville: A Comparative Analysis of Two Basketball Teams’ 2024-2025 Seasons

As the 2024-2025 basketball season heats up, two teams in Tennessee are garnering attention: Baylor and Maryville. Both teams have demonstrated promise with their individual strengths and challenges, making their upcoming matchups an exciting prospect for fans and analysts alike. Here’s a closer look at how the two squads stack up against each other based on their current records, statistics, and performance trends.

Team Overview: Records and Rankings

Baylor:

• Overall Record: 5-4
• Home Record: 2-2
• Away Record: 2-2
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Winning Percentage: .556
• Points For (PF): 605
• Points Against (PA): 519

Maryville:

• Overall Record: 8-6
• Home Record: 2-2
• Away Record: 2-0
• Neutral Record: 4-4
• Winning Percentage: .571
• Points For (PF): 840
• Points Against (PA): 808

Baylor holds a slightly lower win percentage at .556 compared to Maryville’s .571. However, Maryville has had a more varied performance, with a neutral win-loss split that reflects a more balanced set of results. The two teams have similar home records (both 2-2) but Maryville’s unbeaten record in away games (2-0) suggests they are more comfortable playing on the road.

Scoring Averages and Quarter Performance

The comparison of team scoring averages highlights the style of play for each team.

Baylor:

• First Quarter (Q1): 15.0
• Second Quarter (Q2): 16.0
• Third Quarter (Q3): 21.0
• Fourth Quarter (Q4): 9.0
• Average Final Score: 67.2

Maryville:

• First Quarter (Q1): 15.2
• Second Quarter (Q2): 15.4
• Third Quarter (Q3): 17.0
• Fourth Quarter (Q4): 15.8
• Average Final Score: 60.0

Baylor’s performance peaks in the third quarter with a significant jump to 21 points, but they struggle in the fourth quarter, scoring only 9 points on average. Maryville’s scoring is steadier, with a slight edge in the final quarter at 15.8 points. Both teams are capable of high-scoring first halves, but Baylor’s late-game struggles could be a point of concern.

Team Stat Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses

A deeper look into their team stats reveals some notable differences.

Baylor:

• Points Per Game: 33.0
• Rebounds Per Game: 13.5
• Assists Per Game: 5.5
• Steals Per Game: 2.9
• Blocks Per Game: 0.8

Maryville:

• Points Per Game: 33.0
• Rebounds Per Game: 13.5
• Assists Per Game: 5.5
• Steals Per Game: 2.9
• Blocks Per Game: 0.8

Both teams appear evenly matched across these key categories. However, individual player performances will likely tip the scale in their matchups.

Key Players: Leadership and Impact

Baylor:

• Points Per Game Leader: Brayden Hazelbaker (13.9)
• Rebounds Per Game Leader: Luke Sigmund (7.1)
• Assists Per Game Leader: Jonathan Woodlee (3.4)
• Steals Per Game Leader: Eli Owensby (1.3)
• Blocks Per Game Leader: Luke Sigmund (0.9)

Maryville:

• Points Per Game Leader: (5.2)
• Rebounds Per Game Leader: (2.8)
• Assists Per Game Leader: (1.1)
• Steals Per Game Leader: (0.9)
• Blocks Per Game Leader: (0.3)

Baylor boasts significant individual leadership with Brayden Hazelbaker leading the scoring and Luke Sigmund contributing both rebounds and blocks. Maryville, on the other hand, doesn’t have as strong individual standouts statistically but is a more balanced team overall.

Head-to-Head Against Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents, which offers a glimpse into how they may match up against each other in future contests.

• Baylor vs. Pope John Paul II: Loss (77-70)
• Maryville vs. Pope John Paul II: Loss (63-57)
• Baylor vs. Webb: (Upcoming game on 1/21/25)
• Maryville vs. Webb: Loss (67-49)
• Baylor vs. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy: (Upcoming game on 2/7/25)
• Maryville vs. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy: Loss (62-61)

Both teams have struggled against common opponents, with Maryville having a slightly more difficult time. These results suggest that both Baylor and Maryville may face similar challenges as they continue their seasons, with both needing to sharpen their performance against top-tier teams.

Conclusion: A Balanced Battle Ahead

With similar records and key stats, Baylor and Maryville are both teams in search of consistency. Baylor’s standout players could give them an edge, particularly with a high-scoring third quarter. However, Maryville’s steady scoring in the later stages of the game, coupled with their away game success, suggests they may have a slight advantage in clutch situations. As their head-to-head matchups unfold, the real challenge for both will be adapting to late-game pressure and finding ways to close out games effectively.

Fans of Tennessee basketball should be looking forward to these contests, where each team’s ability to capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses will determine the outcome.