Auburn is heading into its SEC opener at just the right time.

After struggling with four straight losses following a season-opening win, the Tigers have won six of their past eight — including blowouts against Alabama A&M and Jacksonville State — to peek their heads back above .500.

“The last four, five, six games, I think we have had some good opportunities to become a better team. I am pleased with where we are right now,” Tigers coach Nell Fortner said.

“We have just made great strides. It is an excellent way to finish off the year and head into conference play.”

And the Tigers’ conference opener isn’t against just any SEC opponent.

Auburn (7-6) travels to Tuscaloosa to take on rival Alabama (11-2) — winner of six of the past seven games — today at 2 p.m.

“It is something I try to think about every time we face Alabama,” senior forward Jordan Greenleaf said. “To put it in Coach Fortner’s words, ‘It doesn’t matter if we are playing tiddly-winks or racing to the water fountain, it is a competition and we want to win.’”

Greenleaf regained her touch against the Tigers’ past two in-state opponents, averaging 15.0 points and shooting 68.4 percent against Alabama A&M and Jacksonville State.

Her performances were buttressed from strong games by sophomore forward Blanche Alverson (15.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and sophomore guard Morgan Toles, who recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 assists against the Gamecocks.

“I have been at home,” Greenleaf said. “I know these rims, I know these balls and I was just getting my confidence back and finding my shot. And, hopefully, I will have it (today).”

Alabama’s 6-foot junior forward Tierney Jenkins leads the Tide with 17.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season, with junior guard Ericka Russell, a Tuscaloosa product, also averaging double figures (11.5 points per game).

But it’s the Tide’s defense that especially concerns Fortner. Alabama forces 26.4 turnovers a game, good for second in the SEC.

“Alabama presses for 40 minutes, and they have great quickness,” Fortner said. “They have a lot more depth than they have had in the past and they are a fast team, so it is going to be a very fast game.”

Auburn beat its rival by 12 on its home court last season before losing by 2 in Tuscaloosa about three weeks later.

“All these games leading up to Christmas and the New Year is to prepare us for these games,” Auburn senior guard Alli Smalley said. “We are 0-0 right now going into conference.

That is the way we are looking at it and we are looking forward to getting started with SEC play.”

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