Coaches all have their go-to clichés, regardless of the sport, and Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton is no different. When the Seminoles win big games, he's likely to say something to the effect of, "Now's not the time to take any bows."

Even while FSU first ascended to basketball respectability under Hamilton and, later, became a legitimate contender in the ACC - regularly earning NCAA tournament bids and beating the likes of North Carolina and Duke - Hamilton remained focused on the larger goal. There was no reason, he believed, why the Seminoles couldn't be the class of the ACC.

The notion might have seemed preposterous about 10 years ago, when the Seminoles were in the midst of another 12-win season under former coach Steve Robinson, now a Tar Heels assistant. Hamilton's vision might have seemed far-fetched more recently, too, given that FSU failed to reach the NCAA tournament in his first six seasons.

But now, in his 10th season, Hamilton's vision is becoming a reality. The Seminoles, who reached the regional semifinals a season ago while competing in the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive season, stand atop the ACC standings after arguably their best January in school history.

About a month ago, FSU was 9-6 overall and 0-1 in the ACC following a 20-point loss at Clemson - a defeat that Hamilton described as one of the most disappointing of his career. The Seminoles haven't lost since.

Their six-game winning streak in the ACC is the longest in school history, and it includes memorable victories against UNC and Duke, both of which were ranked in the top five when they lost against Florida State.

"Well, we seem to be improving once again as a program," Hamilton said earlier this week in what was perhaps the understatement of the season.

The question, though, is how? On Jan. 1, the Seminoles ranked 333rd nationally in turnovers. By that point, they had lost to Harvard and Princeton and weren't all that competitive in defeats against Michigan State and Florida.

The turnaround began when Ian Miller, a sophomore guard from Charlotte, became eligible for the second semester. He has averaged 11.2 points per game - second on the team overall - in nine games since his return.

"I'd say he has as much to do with our turnaround as anybody on the team," Hamilton said.

The turnovers decreased, too. The Seminoles were averaging 18.5 of those per game a month ago, but they've averaged about five fewer turnovers per game during the six-game winning streak. In the meantime, FSU's defense - known for its relentlessness - has been as strong as ever.

Then there's the experience factor. In this one-and-done era of college basketball, building a roster that gels over several years is difficult. But Hamilton has done that. Eight of the top nine players in his rotation are either juniors or seniors.

"They're the most experienced, the oldest team in our league, and they're as deep as anybody, and they play really good defense," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the days following his team's 76-73 loss against the Seminoles, a loss punctuated by FSU junior guard Michael Snaer's 3-pointer at the buzzer to snap the Blue Devils' 45-game home unbeaten streak. "You know, they have men."

Seven games into the conference season, Hamilton would tell you that now's not the time to take any bows. The way things are going, though, it's easy to envision those coming later.

Game of the week: Duke at North Carolina, Wednesday, 9 p.m. - It's that time of the year again. The winner could take first place in the conference, depending on what happens this weekend. The Blue Devils have won four of their last five against UNC.

Stock rising: North Carolina - Since that 33-point loss at Florida State, UNC has responded with four victories, all by double digits. Back in the top five of the national rankings, the Tar Heels have raised their level of intensity and defensive play, even with the loss of junior guard Dexter Strickland to a season-ending knee injury.

And falling: Boston College - The Eagles were an early surprise after starting 2-1 in conference play. Since then, though, their youth and inexperience have caught up to them. Boston College has lost five consecutive games, all but one by double digits.