Florida basketball was picked to win the SEC in the preseason media poll, which was released by the league on Monday, Oct. 13.
It marks the third time since the preseason SEC poll began that UF has been chosen as the preseason favorite, also receiving that distinction in 2006-07 and 2010-11. The Gators went on to win the SEC title both of those seasons. Voters in the preseason poll were a select panel of both SEC and national media members.
Predicted to finish behind Florida in the top were Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas.
The defending national champs also landed three players on the preseason All-SEC teams.
Forward Alex Condon, who averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season, landed on the first team.
Arkansas transfer point guard Boogie Fland and returning forward Thomas Haugh were both selections to the second team. Haugh averaged 9.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, while Fland posted 13.5 points and 5.1 assists at Arkansas last season.
Notably, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh was chosen as the SEC Preseason Conference Player of the Year.
Predicted Order Of Finish
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at aabadie@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida basketball tabbed to win SEC, three Gators selected preseason all-SEC
Reporting by Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
