STARKVILLE, Miss. -  Mississippi State, the defending SEC Tournament champions, was picked to finish first in the Western Division, while senior forward Jarvis Varnado was tabbed first-team All-SEC in  Monday's SEC Preseason Media Poll.

Kentucky was the favorite to win the overall regular-season crown.  Wildcats junior forward Patrick Patterson was also voted player of the year.

Following Mississippi State, which also received three votes to win the overall title, in the West were Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Auburn.

"Well, No. 1, it doesn't matter where you are picked to finish," 12^th-year coach Rick Stansbury said. "All that matters is where you finish. These polls are more for the fans to talk about. But, hey, it's nice to be picked and recognized. As I always say, our goal is to always win championships."

The Bulldogs return all five starters from last year's team that posted a 23-13 ledger and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year.

Included in that mix is Varnado, who led MSU in scoring last year with a 12.9 clip. He also blocked 170 shots, both a single-season school and SEC mark. He enters his final season wearing the Maroon & White needing just 142 more to break the NCAA career mark and 18 more to tie the SEC record.

"It's an honor to be chosen," the Brownsville, Tenn., native said. "There are a lot of talented players in this league that also deserve to be on this list. These honors push you to live up to the expectations."

The Bulldogs began practice this past Friday and open exhibition play on Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. against Oklahoma City. The regular season begins with a Humphrey Coliseum showdown against Rider at 8 p.m. on Nov. 13.

Devan Downey, South Carolina          G      5-9   175   Sr.   Chester, S.C.

*Patrick Patterson, Kentucky              F       6-9   235   Jr.   Huntington, W.Va.

Tyler Smith, Tennessee                       G/F   6-7   215   Sr.   Pulaski, Tenn.

Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State        F       6-9   230   Sr.   Brownsville, Tenn.

Terrico White, Ole Miss                     G      6-5   211   So.   Memphis, Tenn.

SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC                    Pos. Ht.   Wt.   Cl.   Hometown

Tasmin Mitchell, LSU                          F      6-7   235   Sr.   Denham Springs, La.

A.J. Ogilvy, Vanderbilt                        C     6-11 250   Jr.    Sydney, Australia

DeWayne Reed, Auburn                     G     6-1   175   Sr.   Houston, Texas

John Wall, Kentucky                            G     6-4   195   Fr.   Raleigh, N.C.

Chris Warren, Ole Miss                      G     5-10 165   Jr.   Orlando, Fla.

SEC Player of the Year: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky

Release provided by MSU Athletics