Kentucky favorite of reporters to win SEC hoops title with influx of top recruits

Published September 15, 2015

Kentucky coach John Calipari answers a reporter's question during the NCAA men's college basketball team's media day Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/James Crisp) (The Associated Press)

Kentucky is picked to win the Southeastern Conference men's basketball title.

The Wildcats received 21 first-place votes while Florida got five and Tennessee one in balloting released Wednesday at SEC media days. SEC and national media members voted.

Kentucky is the preseason favorite for the ninth time since the 1998-99 season.

Wildcats freshman Julius Randle was chosen preseason player of the year with 11 votes. Six other players received at least one vote, led by Tennessee's Jordan McRae with five.

Randle and McRae are joined on the All-SEC first team by LSU's Johnny O'Bryant III, Mississippi's Marshall Henderson and Alabama's Trevor Releford.

Randle headlines coach John Calipari's eight-member signing class. The Wildcats return 7-footer Willie Cauley-Stein and forward Alex Poythress.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/kentucky-favorite-of-reporters-to-win-sec-hoops-title-with-influx-of-top-recruits