Media members pick Kentucky to repeat as SEC champions, Missouri's Phil Pressey as top player

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Defending national champion Kentucky is the preseason favorite to win the Southeastern Conference title.

The Wildcats received 17 of the 24 first-place votes in balloting by a panel of media members despite losing six NBA draft picks, including national player of the year and No. 1 selection Anthony Davis. Kentucky went 38-2 last season and won all 16 SEC games, and coach John Calipari brought in a highly rated recruiting class.

Florida was first on five ballots while Missouri and Tennessee got one first-place vote apiece.

Missouri point guard Phil Pressey is preseason player of the year. His six votes outpaced Florida's Kenny Boynton (five). Arkansas' BJ Young, Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes and Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel each got three votes.

Those five are first-team preseason All-SEC picks.