Noel, Poythress preseason All-SEC

Kentucky freshmen Nerlens Noel and Alex Poythress have been named to the SEC coaches' preseason all-conference team.

The SEC coaches have tabbed Kentucky's Nerlens Noel and Alex Poythress to the preseason All-SEC teams, the league announced Friday.

Noel was voted to the first team, while Poythress was named to the second team.

A freshman center from Massachusetts, Noel averaged 16 points and 7.5 rebounds in UK's two exhibition games against Northwood and Transylvania. Poythress, a freshman forward from Tennessee, avereaged 8 points and 4.5 rebounds in the exhibition games.

The coaches’ preseason All-SEC first and second teams consist of a minimum of eight players on each squad, voted on by the SEC head coaches.

The Wildcats open the 2012-13 season Friday night taking on Maryland in the Barclay’s Center Classic. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and the game will be televised live on ESPN.