KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Diamond Hogs Picked To Win West

The fourth-ranked Arkansas baseball team was picked to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division by the league's coaches, as announced on Monday by the conference office.

Arkansas received 64 points overall, to finish six points ahead of LSU, which received 58 points to finish second. Alabama earned 38 points for third place, while Ole Miss had 34 points for fourth place. Mississippi State (33 points) and Auburn (20 points) were picked to finish fifth and sixth, respectively.

In the Eastern Division, Florida was picked as the preseason favorite, earning 66 points. South Carolina had 56 points to finish second. Georgia (42 points), Vanderbilt (40 points), Kentucky (25 points) and Tennessee (18 points) rounded out the Eastern Division.

Points were compiled on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each division. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. Each coach also voted for one team as an overall conference champion.

Arkansas enters the 2012 season with a No. 4 national ranking, the program's highest preseason ranking since 2007, when the Razorbacks were also ranked fourth. Arkansas brings back 19 letterwinners from last year's team that finished the season with a 40-22 record and won the SEC Western Division championship.

The Razorbacks open the 2012 season on Friday, February 17, at 3:05 p.m. against Villanova at Baum Stadium. Season tickets for Arkansas' 36-game home schedule are now on sale. Season tickets are $190 for adults and $140 for University of Arkansas staff, youth and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-982-HOGS (4647) or by visiting the online ticket center at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

For more information regarding Razorback baseball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

2012 SEC Preseason Coaches Poll

Eastern Division

1. Florida, 66 points

2. South Carolina, 56 points

3. Georgia, 42 points

4. Vanderbilt, 40 points

5. Kentucky, 25 points

6. Tennessee, 18 points

Western Division

1. Arkansas, 64 points

2. LSU, 58 points

3. Alabama, 38 points

4. Ole Miss, 34 points

5. Mississippi State, 33 points

6. Auburn, 20 points

SEC Champion: Florida