Georgia Tech @ Boise St. preview

Georgia Tech heads west to Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic starting Sunday against Boise State, seeking the consistency it has lacked through the season’s first nine games. The Yellow Jackets have had good moments so far, including a season-opening victory at North Carolina State and a respectful showing at No. 6 Kentucky, but there also have been games like Wednesday’s 65-47 home loss to Ball State, a game they trailed by 30 points in the second half.

The Yellow Jackets scored a season low in points while shooting a season-worst 33.3 percent from the field and committing 24 turnovers, losing their third straight game. “I can’t explain this one,” Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner told reporters after the disappointing effort in which the Yellow Jackets finished the first half with more turnovers (16) than points (15). “We had a very good shootaround and guys have practiced well, and we just played well on (Dec. 14) at Kentucky.” The Broncos have not played since a 100-57 home romp over Alabama State on Dec. 14, and the focus will be on the debut of junior forward Abu Kigab, who transferred last season from Oregon and is eligible starting Sunday. “If you could make a Christmas list of things we need on this team right now, Abu checks all of those boxes,” Boise State coach Leon Rice told the school’s website.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (4-5): The Yellow Jackets hoped to get a boost from junior guard/forward Jordan Usher, but the USC transfer shot just 1-for-7 from the field in his debut against Ball State, finishing with four points and six turnovers. Sophomore guard Michael Devoe averages a team-leading 18.4 points but is mired in a big slump, scoring just 23 points across his past three games while shooting 8-for-37 from the field in that span. Senior forward/center James Banks III led the Yellow Jackets with 13 points and nine rebounds Wednesday.

ABOUT BOISE STATE (6-4): Junior guard Derrick Alston Jr. shot 11-for-12 from the field in scoring a season-high 31 points against Alabama State, while senior forward RJ Williams registered a career-best 16 rebounds and scored 12 points. Alston entered the weekend leading the Mountain West Conference in scoring at 21.2 points and is shooting 40.3 percent from 3-point range. Williams averages 13.6 points and 9.1 rebounds and has four double-doubles on the season.

TIP-INS

1. Banks averages 3.67 blocks, fifth nationally entering the weekend, and the Yellow Jackets are eighth in the nation in blocks per game at 6.6.

2. Georgia Tech remains without junior G Jose Alvarado, the team leader in scoring and assists last season who is out with a right ankle sprain until at least the end of the month.

3. Sunday’s winner faces either Houston or Portland on Monday.

PREDICTION: Boise State 73, Georgia Tech 65