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Florida basketball is the preseason favorite to win the SEC championship, according to a USA TODAY Sports Network poll.

The Gators received eight first-place votes from a panel of 12 experts who cover the conference.

Kentucky is predicted to be Florida's biggest competitor, finishing second in the poll with four first-place votes.

Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas are projected to round out the top five teams in the conference.

Florida basketball returned to the mountaintop last season by winning its first national title since 2007.

A poll of experts who cover the SEC for the USA TODAY Sports Network is picking the Gators to carry that momentum into a new campaign and dethrone Auburn as league champions. Florida is the preseason favorite after receiving ei

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