Clemson @ Georgia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 16, 2019 ) Georgia Tech 60, Clemson 72

After dropping five of its first six ACC games, Clemson looks to build off its first back-to-back victories since late December when it travels to Georgia Tech on Wednesday. The Tigers have defeated Pittsburgh and Wake Forest to pull within two games of .500 in conference play, and used a strong performance from Elijah Thomas in Sunday’s 64-37 victory over the Demon Deacons, getting 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots from their 6-9 senior center.

Thomas shook off the foul trouble that’s hindered him this season, posting his sixth double-double of the season while hitting 10-of-11 shots from the field. “We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there,” Thomas told reporters after the Tigers held Wake Forest to 23.7 percent shooting from the field. The lone ACC victory in the early going for the Tigers came against Georgia Tech, a 72-60 home victory, and the Yellow Jackets have lost four of their past five games since that Jan. 17 defeat. “We had struggles offensively and it’s just unfortunately been a reoccurring theme,” Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner told the media after Saturday’s 59-49 loss at No. 24 Florida State.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Raycom

ABOUT CLEMSON (13-8, 3-5 ACC): Thomas is hitting 66.1 percent of his shots from the field this season, ranking second in the ACC entering Tuesday, and averages 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Marcquise Reed scored just nine points Sunday, but his 19.1 points per game is fourth in the ACC and he scored 30 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the earlier matchup with Georgia Tech. The 37 points allowed by Clemson on Sunday is its lowest total in an ACC game under coach Brad Brownell since 2012.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (11-11, 3-6): Offensive inconsistency continues to hinder the Yellow Jackets, as they shot 28.3 percent from the field and 3-of-21 from 3-point range to lose Saturday despite holding Florida State to a season low in points. Sophomore guard Jose Alvarado, who leads Georgia Tech in scoring at 12.4 points per game, did not score Saturday as he continues to be hindered by an ankle injury. Senior forward Abdoulaye Gueye scored a team-best 15 points Saturday, and is averaging 14 points on 51 percent shooting in his past four games.

TIP-INS

1. The Yellow Jackets entered Sunday seventh nationally in 3-point field goal defense at 27.7 percent, while the Tigers are last in the ACC and 291st nationally at 36.2 percent.

2. Georgia Tech freshman G Michael Devoe has scored in double figures in three of his past four games, finishing with 10 points against Florida State.

3. The Tigers begin a difficult stretch after facing the Yellow Jackets, as three of their next four opponents are ranked (No. 10 Virginia Tech, No. 17 Louisville, Florida State).

PREDICTION: Clemson 75, Georgia Tech 64