TALLAHASSEE -- They insist it doesn't bother them. That it comes with the territory of being an up-and-coming program in a conference steeped in tradition.

But, deep down, Florida State's players and coaches have to be at least slightly perturbed about being picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

It was only eight months ago that the Seminoles finished fourth in the ACC during the regular season and then advanced to the championship game of the conference tournament. And Leonard Hamilton's team lost only two of its top 10 players from a team that went 25-10 overall, reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years and finished the year with a Top 25 national ranking.

``Right now, they're going with what they know,'' Hamilton said of media members who voted in the preseason poll. ``In order for us to break into that [echelon], we just have to keep winning.''

Hamilton believes the Seminoles, who have potential stars in 7-1 center Solomon Alabi and 6-9 small forward Chris Singleton, can accomplish that goal -- even with the departure of point guard Toney Douglas, who was a first-round NBA Draft pick of the New York Knicks.

Douglas led the ACC by averaging 21.5 points last season -- he was the only FSU player to average double figures in scoring -- and he was the Seminoles' top performer in three-pointers, free throws and assists.

But as much as they appreciated Douglas' contributions, FSU players think they could be more dangerous now. With a more balanced lineup -- as many as five or six players can lead the team in scoring on any given night -- the Seminoles could be more difficult to defend.

And to capitalize on their athleticism, they have worked hard in the offseason to become more of a full-court team -- pressing on defense and looking for more baskets in transition.

``That's our whole goal and mind-set -- to run and score more points,'' junior guard Derwin Kitchen said. ``We definitely have the depth to do it. We've got 11 players who can play.''

Kitchen and sophomore Luke Loucks will shoulder most of the ball-handling responsibilities with Douglas gone, and they have worked hard to improve their conditioning and quickness. Hamilton praised both players for being ``pass-first'' point guards, but they also have displayed their scoring ability during exhibition games.

Against Georgetown (Ky.) College, Kitchen led FSU with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Loucks hit 2 of 4 three-pointers and scored eight points in 18 minutes against Delta State.

Kitchen and Loucks will be on the floor together at times, and each will be asked to direct the team at times. But Hamilton isn't asking either of them to grab the load carried by Douglas last season.

``He's not trying to change us into Toney Douglas -- even though that would be good,'' Loucks said with a laugh.

``He just tells us to bring your strengths to the team. Apply them where you can apply them.''

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