The Florida men’s basketball team will win the SEC race, the media covering the league predicts in a poll, and three Gators were named preseason All-SEC. 

The Gators exceeded their expectations last year after the preseason poll projected they would finish sixth. They ended their regular season second in conference standings, but went on to win the SEC Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament for the third time.

Falling just behind Florida at No. 2 in the poll is Kentucky, followed by Tennessee at No. 3. Two of Florida’s four losses last season were against the Wildcats and the Volunteers, with the Gators finishing with a record of 14-4 against the SEC.

Forward Alex Condon, who earned a spot on the All-SEC Third Team last season, was voted preseason All-SEC First Team. In his 37 games played, Condon led the Gators in rebounds (7.5) and blocks (1.3) per game. He also averaged 10.6 points per game and made 49.3% of his field-goal attempts.

Forward Thomas Haugh was voted All-SEC Second Team. He played in 40 games for the Gators last season with only five starts. In those games, he made 48.5% of his field-goal attempts, averaged 9.8 points and made 79.4% of his free throws.

Point guard Boogie Fland, who transferred to Florida after playing for Arkansas last season, was voted preseason All-SEC Second Team. Fland scored 15 points and made all five of his free throw attempts in the Razorbacks’ 71-63 loss against Florida in January. He led Arkansas in assists per game with 5.1 and averaged 15.1 points per game under coach John Calipari.

The Gators’ season-opener will be played against the No. 13 Arizona Wildcats in Las Vegas on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.