Big Expectations: Razorbacks Picked to Top SEC by Coaches

Hogs just edged rival LSU Tigers in West, having two players picked as SEC first-teamers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The pre-season accolades for Arkansas continue to roll in. The Razorbacks were tapped by SEC coaches to finish top of the league and win back-to-back SEC regular season titles. 

Arkansas garnered 87 points, including nine of the 14 possible first-place votes for both the West Division and the overall SEC winner.  The LSU Tigers finished with 82 points and the other five first-place votes in the division. Florida also garnered two votes for overall SEC champion. The two teams square off Mar. 28-30 inside Baum-Walker Stadium.

Additionally, Hagen Smith and Kendall Diggs were both selected as first-team All-SEC. It's the latest of a long string of preseason individual accolades for Smith. Smith made history last year as the first Razorback starter in over a decade to make the All-SEC team (Ryne Stanek, 2013). He also recently was named an All-American by Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

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"It's really nothing," Smith said. "I haven't played yet. Anybody is like that, no one has played yet. Have to get ready for the season, I'm ready. Ever since last year, I've just had a bad taste in my mouth a little bit 

The Razorbacks will get its 2024 campaign underway against James Madison 3 p.m. Feb. 16 inside Baum-Walker Stadium. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.

Full coaches poll below:
Eastern Division
1. Florida (11) – 88
2. Tennessee (2) – 75
3. Vanderbilt (1) – 73
4. South Carolina – 50
5. Kentucky – 44
6. Georgia – 36
7. Missouri – 19

Western Division
1. Arkansas (9) – 87
2. LSU (5) – 82
3. Texas A&M – 68
4. Alabama – 47
5. Auburn – 46
6. Ole Miss – 32
7. Mississippi State – 23

SEC Champion: Arkansas (9), LSU (3), Florida (2)

Arkansas Communications contruibuted to this story

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