Gators, ’Canes and ’Noles all dance

Florida, Florida State and Miami all are going dancing.

The Gators and the Hurricanes each earned No. 6 seeds in the NCAA Tournament and will play Thursday in Dallas while the Seminoles clinched a No. 9 seed and will play Friday in Nashville.

UF will push for another deep tournament run despite inconsisTournament tent performances during the regular season.

On Thursday at about 10 p.m., the Gators will play the winner of an opening-round game between No. 11 seed St. Bonaventure and No. 11 seed UCLA.

“We’re excited to compete in the NCAA Tournament again, which is one of the most unique and special events in all of sports,” UF coach Mike White said.

“I’m happy for our team to have this opportunity, and we obviously have two really good potential opponents to start preparing for.”

If UF advances, it will play the winner of No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin.

No. 7 seed Arkansas, No. 10 seed Butler, No. 2 seed Purdue and No. 15 Cal-State Fullerton loom on the other side of the bracket if the Gators reach the Sweet 16.

Florida is making its 19th NCAA Tournament appearance and second under White.

The Gators have a 42-16 NCAA record and have advanced to the Elite Eight during their last five NCAA appearances, including last season.

While UF seemed to follow success with frustrating losses throughout the regular season, the Gators showed greater defensive intensity and played their best basketball during the past two weeks.

Florida has won three of its past