Watch even one practice, and it quickly becomes clear that coach Jim Boylen is hardly treating the Utes gently.

Far from it.

The new coach is constantly challenging the players and riding them about their shortcomings, to the point where I wondered whether some of the guys wouldn't end up chafing against his aggressive -- almost combative, at times -- style. Near as I can tell, though, that's not happening.

Player after player has insisted -- independently and at various times -- that Boylen's intensity is something that's desperately needed in the program, and something that all of the players welcome, even if they do sometimes suffer the brunt of his criticism.

"He's on us, but he has a purpose behind it," forward Stephen Weigh said. "He wants us all to be better. He wants us all to be the best players we can be. So long as that's always his motive, everyone’s fine with it."

Others have mentioned that Boylen is so passionate about his job and the team that it's impossible not to share the excitement. That's one thing that really helped alleviate the grind of traveling and pre-game practices during the team's recent exhibition tour of Australia, forward Shaun Green said.

"His intensity gets you up, and gets you ready for the game," Green said. "The way he talks to you before the game and during the game, you're always ready to play and give it your all for him."

Guard Johnnie Bryant agreed:

"He demands a lot out of us and is going to get every drop out of us," he said. "He's so intense to where you want to match his intensity, and if you don't, you feel like you let the team down."