Feb. 15, 2011

Florida on top in SEC preseason poll

Florida is expected to repeat as champion in the Southeastern Conference, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Gators garnered 66 points to take the top spot in the Eastern Division. Florida also was the pick as overall SEC champion. The Gators had the best conference record a season ago at 22-8 and advanced to the College World Series.

Vanderbilt was second in the Eastern Division with 55 points, followed by defending national champion South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee.

LSU recorded 63 points to finish No. 1 in the Western Division. The Tigers were fifth in the Western Division a season ago, but rallied to win the SEC Championship as the No. 8 seed.

Arkansas, which reached the College World Series in 2010, was second in the Western Division with 49 points, followed by Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama and Mississippi State.

The 2011 season starts on Friday, Feb. 18, with all 12 teams in action. Conference play commences on Friday, March 18. The 2011 SEC Championship will be held May 25-29 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.

SEC Preseason Poll

Eastern Division

Team, Points (2010 SEC, Overall Records)

1. Florida, 66 (22-8, 47-17)

2. Vanderbilt, 55 (16-12, 46-20)

3. South Carolina, 48 (21-9, 54-16)

4. Kentucky, 33 (13-17, 31-25)

5. Georgia, 26 (5-23, 16-37)

6. Tennessee, 17 (12-18, 30-26)

Western Division

Team, Points (2010 SEC, Overall Records)

1. LSU, 63 (14-16, 41-22)

2. Arkansas, 49 (18-12, 43-21)

3. Auburn, 46 (20-10, 43-21)

4. Ole Miss, 40 (16-14, 39-24)

5. Alabama, 33 (15-15, 42-25)

6. Mississippi State, 17 (6-24, 23-33)

(photo by Jimmy Jones)