HOOVER, Ala. (AP) -- Florida's Billy Donovan says picking his Gators as the Southeastern Conference's team to beat is more about perception than reality.
He says if they hadn't gotten into the NCAA tournament last season, the topic at SEC media day Thursday would have been what's wrong with the Gators?
There's plenty of competition for front-runner status. It starts with defending champion Kentucky, which brings in another top-rated recruiting class to replace five NBA first-round draft picks.
Tennessee has some highly touted newcomers to join established players like Scotty Hopson. And Georgia has preseason SEC player of the year Trey Thompkins.
But the Gators have all five starters returning, including guard Kenny Boynton and forward Chandler Parsons.
Mississippi State is the West Division favorite.
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