A Crimson Tide is gaining some momentum at the ideal time.

The South East Conference tips off its 2010 title tournament on Thursday featuring four exciting match ups.

Perhaps none of the other three will be as intense as when Alabama battles South Carolina as the fourth and fifth seeds respectively in the SEC bracket. Both teams underachieved this season, going 6-10 in conference play.

However, Alabama wrapped up its season with consecutive wins including a 79-70 win at South Carolina, and a season finale 73-61 victory at home over Auburn. The Tide are hoping confidence from those wins carries over into Thursday’s opener.

The Gamecocks on the other hand drove a different path to the SEC opener. After winning five of their first nine games to open conference play, things fell apart for South Carolina down the stretch. Six straight losses including a winnable game at home to this Thursday’s opponent pushed the Gamecocks down the standings in the SEC, and now must win the SEC tournament for the first time in their history if they are to have any chance of competing in the March Madness betting tournament.

Devan Downey leads the SEC in average points per game with 22.6, and will need that kind of an effort in addition to increased support from his teammates if South Carolina is to have a chance to pull off the upset.

The winner will meet the nation’s second ranked team Kentucky in the second round.