Senior Auburn forward was named the coaches' preseason All-Southeastern Conference second team Monday.
Barber was joined on the second team bu Alabama's Ronald Steele and Alonzo Gee, Arkansas' Michael Washington, Georgia's Terrance Woodbury, LSU's Chris Johnson, Kentucky's Jodie Meeks, South Carolina's Dominique Archie and Tennessee's Wayne Chism and J.P. Prince.
"It is a pretty good accomplishment considering I only played 10 games last year," Barber said. "I will strive to get better and hope the team gets better. I think we will have a good year this year. The new players have added a lot to the team. They are working hard and are real coachable. That means a lot."
Barber averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds as a junior last season before suffering a broken hand against Towson on Dec. 29. He was leading the nation, shooting 72 percent from the field, and averaging team-highs of 14.8 points and 7.3 rebounds when he was injured and lost for the rest of the season.
"I am happy for Vot that he garnered some recognition," Auburn coach Jeff Lenbo said. "He will be a tremendous addition to us this year after his
unfortunate injury last season. He brings a lot to you. He brings your
best defensive post player. He brings you an experienced post player in
around the bucket. He is your most athletic guy. Defensively and offensively, he brings the ability in offensive rebounding.
"Just from a standpoint of his athleticism and his leadership to be out on the court, he can get you some things off the offensive glass that you can't coach."
The coaches' preseason All-SEC first team include Florida's Nick Calathes, Kentucky's Patrick Patterson, LSU's Tasmin Mitchell and Marcus Thornton, Ole Miss' Chris Warren, Mississippi State's Harvis Varnado, South Carolina's Devan Downey, Tennessee's Tyler Smith and Vanderbilt's A.J. Ogilvy. Patterson and Ogilvy were unanimous selections.
