The start of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season is just around the corner, and ahead of the opening tip-off, USA TODAY Sports has released its preseason SEC basketball predictions, preseason awards and all-conference teams for the upcoming campaign.
The Florida Gators, who won the SEC Tournament as well as the national championship last spring, come in as a favorite to top the standings once again, according to Fort Smith Southwest Times Record writer Jackson Fuller. The poll was taken from a dozen different Gannett writers from respective SEC schools and awarded the Orange and Blue eight votes.
The Kentucky Wildcats were predicted to come in second, with the other four first-place votes.
Additionally, three Gators made the cut for an All-SEC Team squad. Forward Alex Condon was a unanimous first-team selection at his position, while guard Boogie Fland and forward Thomas Haugh earned second-team mentions. Condon also received votes for SEC Preseason Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year; guard Xavian Lee was also on the ballot for SEC Newcomer of the Year.
Todd Golden did not get the nod for the SEC Coach of the Year award, but did receive votes.
SEC basketball preseason poll, predicted order of finish
Preseason basketball All-SEC teams
FIRST TEAM
SECOND TEAM
Preseason SEC basketball Coach of the Year
Mark Pope, Kentucky
Others receiving votes: Todd Golden, Florida; Steven Pearl, Auburn; Chris Beard, Ole Miss.
Preseason SEC basketball Player of the Year
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Others receiving votes: Alex Condon, Florida; Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn; Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State.
Preseason SEC basketball Newcomer of the Year
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Others receiving votes: Keyshawn Hall, Auburn; Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas; Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee; Xaivian Lee, Florida; Jaland Lowe, Kentucky; Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M.
Preseason SEC basketball Defensive Player of the Year
Anthony Robinson II, Missouri
Others receiving votes: Felix Okpara, Tennessee; Alex Condon, Florida; Keyshawn Hall, Auburn.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: SEC basketball predictions, preseason awards, all-conference teams from USA TODAY Sports
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
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