Stats show how game-altering Quincy Ballard’s shot-blocking has been for Shockers

The more Quincy Ballard sees the floor, the more the 6-foot-11 center continues to improve.

There’s not much for the Wichita State men’s basketball team to feel great about during its eight-game losing streak, but Ballard’s rise has been a positive entering Sunday’s 2 p.m. game against SMU (which will be broadcast on ESPN2) at Koch Arena.

Ballard, who matched his career high of seven blocks against East Carolina on Wednesday, ranks No. 13 in the country in both total blocks (46) and block rate (10.8%).

His 2.42 blocks per game is third-best in program history and with at least 13 games left on the schedule, Ballard could potentially challenge the program’s single-season record of 80 held by Gene Wiley since 1962.

“Q is an amazing rim protector,” WSU guard Harlond Beverly said. “Our defense is solid right now and Q is a really big part of that.”

On a team that lacks a perimeter stopper, Ballard’s shot-blocking presence inside has proven even more valuable this season. It puts a lot of pressure on Ballard to contest everything at the rim and he isn’t always perfect, but he’s incredibly effective when he does with his timing and length.

WSU ranks in the 82nd percentile in the country in protecting the rim, as opponents shoot just 57.9% — the national average is 62% — on attempts within four feet of the rim.

The Shockers haven’t featured a shot blocker as effective as Ballard since Ehimen Orukpe (12.5% block rate in 2012-13) and Kadeem Coleby (11.6% block rate in 2013-14). The difference is Ballard is playing 22.5 minutes per game, while Orukpe (15.1 minutes) and Coleby (12.9 minutes) both played smaller roles.

While Ballard’s impact isn’t as large on offense, he is averaging 7.4 points and his 70.9% field goal percentage is on pace to shatter the single-season program record of 61.6% held by Steve Grayer from the 1987-88 season.

A majority of those baskets are dunks and lay-ins, but Ballard has shown a deft touch around the rim with both hands on more contested shots. It’s been a pleasant surprise from a player who had logged just 248 career minutes in three prior seasons.

“Q helps set the tone for us,” WSU guard Colby Rogers said. “He’s a presence down there, deterring shots, blocking shots and it helps our guards pressure the ball and direct players to where we want them to go.”

In limited minutes last season, Ballard struggled to keep pace defending in the pick-and-roll game. On Wednesday, ECU continually tested the big man in ball screens and the Syracuse, N.Y. native continually rose to the challenge. The first possession of the second half was an example of Ballard’s rapid improvement in covering ground.

ECU called for a high ball screen and Ballard set up in drop coverage, standing near the free throw line while the ball screen was taking place above the 3-point line. When ECU guard Jaden Walker attacked off the screen, Ballard back-pedaled to contain the drive and when Walker slid a bounce pass to rolling big man Cyr Malonga down the lane, Ballard rotated over in time to swat the lay-up at the rim.

Later in the game, in the final minute, ECU once again put Ballard in a pick and roll and this time, guard Cam Hayes continued his attack all the way to the rim where Ballard was there to erase the shot. Even better for WSU, Ballard’s block stayed in bounds and sparked a fast break WSU used to cut the deficit to 54-51 with 52.9 seconds left.

“He had seven blocked shots and probably altered another four,” ECU head coach Michael Schwartz said. “I know for sure we had one late in the game where it probably would have been a big basket for us, but then he got up there and contested it. He’s a dynamic player.”

SMU vs. Wichita State basketball preview

Records: SMU 13-6, 4-2 AAC; WSU 8-11, 0-6 AAC

When: 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Koch Arena (10,506), Wichita

How to watch: ESPN2 (Jordan Bernfield with Mark Adams)

Radio: KEYN, 103.7-FM (Mike Kennedy with Dave Dahl)

KenPom says: SMU 75, WSU 68

Series history: WSU leads 11-6

Projected starting lineups

Wichita State Shockers (8-11)

Coach: Paul Mills, first season, 8-11

SMU Mustangs (13-6)

Coach: Rob Lanier, second season, 23-28