AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Florida will have a chance to rebound after losing the Southeastern Conference tournament championship when they play Northwestern State on Friday in the NCAA tournament.

The Gators (26-7) lost to Mississippi on Sunday in missing out on a chance to add an SEC tourney title to their regular season championship. But their 16th NCAA tournament berth already was secured with the Gators considered the SEC's best team. They came into this week ranked 13th nationally.

Now the Gators can reset their goals on their first national title since winning back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.

The 14th-seeded Demons (23-8) from Natchitoches, La., are in the tournament for the first time since 2006. This is their third overall after winning the Southland Conference tournament title on Saturday night.