By: Eric Fawcett -- October 19, 2022 It was the SEC Tip-Off on October 19, the SEC’s media day ringing in the 2022-23 season. This is a year filled with excitement for a league that is projected to be one of the best in the country with an exciting influx of new coaches, the recruitment of expected first round NBA talent, and the return of some proven commodities that will challenge for All-American selections. One of the most anticipated releases of the SEC Tip-Off is the media poll, something that will be referenced repeatedly entering conference play as a reference for where teams are expected to finish. Gators Picked 7th In SEC Preseason Poll, Castleton Named First Team All-SEC | GatorCountry.com
7th, eh? Not bad, if the SEC is as strong as advertised. But the league needs to dominate early-season OOC play to demonstrate that. Seems like every season, a couple of SEC teams suffer embarrassing, early, home court losses to St. Mary's School for the Deaf, Dumb, & Blind. But I think we'll finish higher than 7th.
Seems about right. Pre-season SEC Rankings: 1. Kentucky (#4) 2. Arkansas (#10) 3. Tennessee (#11) 4. Auburn (#15) 5. Alabama (#20) 6. Texas A&M (#26) 7. Florida (#38 in AP votes) 8. Lousiana St 9. Mississippi 10. Mississippi St 11. Missouri 12. Vanderbilt 13. Georgia 14. South Carolina UF's Non-conference Opponents: UConn (#27) Miami (#28) <-- not on schedule Florida St (#32) Xavier (#33) <-- Won 2021 NIT (over Texas AM & defeated UF in NIT run!) Oklahoma (ur) Kansas St (ur) 2022-23 Men's College Basketball Rankings for Preseason | ESPN
