GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- No. 21 Florida will take on No. 5 Duke tonight in a game that could propel the program forward in a big way in the Mike White era.

Most figure the Gators will probably be competitive but ultimately won't be able to come up with a win against one of the nation's most talented teams. After all, Florida has played very well so far this year but stumbled in its lone game against a ranked foe, falling after a shaky second half against No. 8 Gonzaga.

Coach Mike White knows what a win here would do for the confidence of his program, and it'll take a complete effort if the Gators hope to top the Blue Devils.

"We're still looking for that signature get-over-the-hump type of win, making shots for us is big," White said. "But we've got to defend at a high level, whether we're shooting 60 percent or 35 percent. We've got to continue to hang our hat on that. We've shown at times how good we can be defensively."

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Florida M.O. so far this season has been to play extremely well in stretches, with a seemingly inevitable drought popping up at some point during the game. The Gators don't have many go-to scorers, reliant instead on smart passing, ball movement and hustle on the glass.

As much as anything, Florida has to find a way to stay focused when things aren't going well on the offensive end. A Duke offense that is ranked atop the nation in Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings can end the game if Florida isn't ready to respond defensively when shots aren't falling on the other end.

"It’s focus and maturity. Against Gonzaga, we played a really good, solid first half, and then the second half we kind of took some questionable shots, had some defensive breakdowns and I think that kind of snowballed to the point where we couldn’t quite get back over that hump and get that win," forward Canyon Barry said. "So, just moving forward, it’s going to be important that we stay locked in all game and don’t have those little breakdowns that can cost you down the stretch."

Playing in Madison Square Garden, there will be plenty of emotions. White isn't concerned about his team not showing up.

Rather, he's concerned about the focus level with so many potential distractions in a huge nationally televised game in one of basketball's most storied arenas.

"Our guys are gonna be so jacked up. I’m sure Duke, they’re prepared for that," White said. "Any time that they play, regardless of who they play, it’s a potential storm-the-court game. When they’re playing on the road, when they’re playing at home, of course, they’re gonna get a team’s best shot from a physical effort standpoint, from being jacked up, if you will.

"For us, I’m pretty confident. I’d be very, very surprised if we don’t come out and play really, really hard and be excited about the challenge and the opportunity. I’m more concerned with how we handle the stage and the bright lights in Madison Square Garden and playing Duke and handling the runs that they’ll go on and playing with maturity and playing with poise, defending at a high level of intensity without fouling."

It's a challenge. One that Florida's looking forward to.

The Gators still don't have that signature win since White took over, but tonight is a definite shot to secure one. They feel on the verge, now it's about taking the next step and knocking down the door.

"Duke’s one of the most historic basketball programs, playing in one of the most historic arenas, so it’s kind of just a whirlwind, but you know, I think our mindset has been really good this week, treating it like any other game, going about our business, preparation, doing your jobs and focusing on the things that we can control to try and get better every game, every practice, every day," Barry said.

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Contact Thomas Goldkamp by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @ThomasGoldkamp.