Jim Boylen went straight from practice to the podium Tuesday, making the hike from the Huntsman Center floor to a conference room in the concourse for Utah basketball's Media Day.

The third-year head coach was still catching his breath during opening remarks.

After expressing how thankful he was to be coaching the Utes, Boylen told the press he didn't want to talk much about last year. It was time to put it to bed. Time to move on after a Mountain West Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.

This year's squad, Boylen noted, includes seven new bodies and some returning guys he trusts.

"We're going to try to continue to build this program on its foundation," Boylen said. "And the foundation is defense, toughness, playing for each other, caring for each other and playing for the name on the front of the jerseys."

The 2009-10 Utes, he continued, are a work in progress. They've got plenty of roles to fill with the graduation losses of Luke Nevill, Lawrence Borha, Shaun Green and Tyler Kepkay. They accounted for more than 70 percent of the team's offense last season.

"If we don't guard, we're going to struggle," Boylen said. "Because offensively we just lost too much experience, too much firepower."

No excuses, he insists, just a challenge to overcome.

Replacing their contributions are one thing, Boylen explained, compensating for experience is quite another.

The latter requires the passage of time.

And like last year's title team, Boylen said it'll take a while to break 'em down and build 'em back up. Developing wisdom, humility and a player-coached team doesn't happen overnight.

The Utes do have some experience back. Three returning starters — junior Carlon Brown (9.3 ppg) as well as seniors Luka Drca (7.7 ppg) and Kim Tillie (3.3 ppg).

Brown took exception to the notion that they have big shoes to fill.

"I think me and Luka helped make those shoes," he said. "A lot of those guys got points off of us."

While acknowledging the need to step things up and how difficult playing without Nevill will be, Brown expressed confidence that others will step up and get the job done.

Despite the personnel changes, Boylen said the Utes won't change their style of play.

"I get that question a lot and I don't think so. What I believe in is you have a philosophy and you stick to that philosophy," he explained. "Our philosophy is to defend and rebound and run and play with force. We're going to do that."

Utah's schedule poses several challenges. The Utes open with an exhibition game against Div. II national champion Findlay on Nov. 7. Other games of note include contests against Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, Louisiana State, and a possible meeting with Oklahoma State.

"I'm excited for it. I think we're going to know what we have right away," Boylen said. ". . . I'm just pumped for our schedule."

However, he added, the Utes probably won't sneak up on too many people this year.

Utah's season opener is Nov. 13 at home against Idaho.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com