Oct 22, 2014 04:41 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Kentucky Wildcats were able to retain several members of the young, talented team and it is no surprise the Southeastern Conference (SEC) picked them to win the title.

Like the Associated Press, most major rankings are not in yet, but the SEC announced its first and second teams alongside their preseason poll. With 280 points, Kentucky has become the conference's preseason favorite for the 10th time since 1998.

Receiving all 20 first place votes, Kentucky is followed by Florida, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia to round out the top five. What's more is that Kentucky's starting five made either the SEC's first or second teams.

SEC Preseason First-Team:

Bobby Portis - Arkansas, F

Michael Frazier II - Florida, G

Aaron Harrison - Kentucky, G

Jordan Mickey - LSU, F

Jarvis Summers - Ole Miss, G

SEC Preseason Second-Team

Charles Mann - Georgia, G

Willie Cauley-Stein - Kentucky

Andrew Harrison - Kentucky

Alex Poythress - Kentucky

Karl-Anthony Towns - Kentucky

The Wildcats were the AP's preseason number one team last year and appear poised to be once again. They reached the NCAA Tournament Finals as a seven-seed and lost to the UConn Huskies. Known for churning out top-tier freshman after one season in college, Kentucky retained just about everyone save for forward James Young.

Unsurprisingly, Aaron Harrison was named the preseason favorite to win the SEC Player of the Year, but also receiving votes were his four teammates.

One major ranking already available in the USA Today Coaches' poll, which of course takes all conferences into account. Kentucky leads the way with 24 first place votes, a majority but not all of them.

Ranked second, Arizona received three first place votes, followed by Duke with two and then Wisconsin also with three. Kansas rounded out the top five, despite seeing Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid leave for the NBA.

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