Florida Gators basketball: Two named All-SEC

With the Southeastern Conference releasing its coaches’ preseason All-SEC teams, the No. 7 Florida Gators were recognized with two players in the first-team selection.

Guard Michael Frazier II and forward Dorian Finney-Smith were recognized as first-team selections represented the only Gators in both the first and second team All-SEC. Frazier was also previously selected in the media’s preseason All-SEC team.

Frazier and Finney-Smith both were instrumental pieces to the Gators offense last season. The SEC sixth-man of the year in Finney-Smith averaged nearly nine points and collected 6.7 rebounds off the bench. Frazier was the third-leading scorer from last year’s squad putting up 12.4 points a game.

Both Finney-Smith and Frazier embrace new roles this season, as Finney-Smith is a prominent starter and Frazier in leading the offense.

Finney-Smith (16) and Frazier (15) scored in double digits against Barry University in an exhibition contest last week. But head coach Billy Donovan placed his guard in playing the three this season instead of last year when he played predominately the two. Instead of getting back to defense in transition, Donovan needs Frazier to crash the boards.

“I think an area for Michael Frazier that I think he needs to get back to, where he provided a lot of help for us his freshman year was rebounding the basketball, like he’s going to have to rebound the ball some,” Donovan said. “And Michael is a good rebounder, but I think he’s got to do a better job of getting in there and rebounding for us and helping us in our frontcourt.”

Kentucky led all SEC teams with five player selections overall and 11 different schools were represented on the list.

Florida tips-off their regular season tomorrow night against William & Mary at 6 p.m. The Gators game will be the first college basketball game to be broadcasted on the SEC Network.

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