Led by No. 2 Kentucky, the SEC has four teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25, which was released on Monday as Michigan State opened the season at No. 1 overall.

Much like the preseason media rankings in the league, Florida was the second SEC team ranked at No. 6 overall, followed by LSU at No. 22 and Auburn at No. 24. Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi State and Alabama were among the teams that also received votes.

Michigan State was the No. 1 team on 60 of 65 ballots. Kentucky received two first-place votes. It’s the ninth straight year John Calipari’s team has been a top-five preseason pick.

The Spartans are No. 1 in the preseason poll for the first time in program history. The Spartans were the overwhelming choice with their veteran returnees led by star Cassius Winston.

About half of the voters (33 of 65) chose Michigan State, Kentucky and Kansas in some order atop their ballot.  Kansas received the other three first-place votes.

Kansas and Duke open their seasons against each other on the same bill with Michigan State-Kentucky.