BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The defending national champion Florida Gators have been chosen as the media’s pick to win the 2026 Southeastern Conference, and Kentucky senior guard Otega Oweh was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. Voters in the preseason poll were a select panel of both SEC and national media members. Kentucky was selected to finish second, followed by Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Missouri and Mississippi in the top half of the conference.