This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

While the college basketball world continues to predict big things for Utah, not a lot has changed in Larry Krystkowiak's view.

Entering his fourth season, the Utes are more talented than they have ever been in his tenure, and they have more experience. But Krystkowiak seems unwilling to stretch his memory back that far. What he sees is a team that hasn't yet won a game, and has a lot to do before it starts.

"We try to get better every day," he said. "I'm not going to change. That's been my attitude my whole life. You try to fix what's broke today. At some point, we're going to get exposed, maybe when we play Ball State, and we'll make adjustments. You wake up, and you try to put out fires, and hopefully at the end of the day you've made some progress."

Forget the six-win season. Forget the gradual, steady climb into competing in the Pac-12. The next season isn't about progress. It's not about adding one or two victories to last year's 21-win total.

It's about potential, and how far Utah could go now with the group it has taken three years to assemble. And if you believe the hype, the answer is: far.

Ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2009, Utah finds itself in the unusual position of preseason darling. CBS Sports have projected the Utes as a 7 seed in next spring's NCAA tournament, while several Sports Illustrated writers tabbed them as a Final Four darkhorse. Senior guard Delon Wright can't drive into the lane without landing himself on another preseason All-American team.

But internally, Utah isn't rolling out the red carpet for a season they haven't yet played. Practice has been gritty, fiercely competitive and about trying to translate the talent into success. Senior Dallin Bachynski said he hasn't played on a team this tough to date.

"When I first got here, I don't think half the guys would've been able to do that Navy SEALs training, me myself, even," he said, referencing an offseason conditioning session. "I think the coaches did a really good job of getting the right people, talent-wise and coaching-wise. People who are willing to work hard."

It doesn't matter what happened in the past: Every Ute is being asked to do more.

Wright, who immediately became Utah's best player last season, has worked on his greatest weakness in the outside shooting game. Jordan Loveridge, the face of Utah's rebuild, has spent the summer transforming into a more balanced wing player. Returning big men Bachynski and Jeremy Olsen have been physical, but are looking for more boards than they had last year.

And the freshmen? Get on board. This Utah team needs the youth and the depth they provide. Krystkowiak isn't planning on red-shirting anyone at the moment, but that just means there's no hand-holding: Help the team, or sit.

This is no time to be satisfied with just being better than the previous year. And, as Krystkowiak said, as long as he's coach, that will never change.

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

Utah men's primer

Key losses • Utah loses seven players who were on the roster at the beginning of last season, but only a few meaningful contributors. Princeton Onwas and Renan Lenz were the only players who averaged more than 10 minutes per game. Parker Van Dyke is on an LDS Church mission.

Key returnees • Delon Wright is the headliner, after leading the team in points, assists, steals and blocks. He's expected to be better after an offseason with the program, as are Jordan Loveridge, Brandon Taylor, Dallin Bachynski and Jeremy Olsen — all key players from last year's squad.

Outlook • It could be a special season, and everyone knows it. Picked second in the Pac-12 and led by Wright, Utah is as deep as it has ever been. The biggest questions may be how quickly the youth comes along to help elevate them from good to great, and whether they can rebound and shoot 3-pointers more effectively. The NCAA Tournament drought may well end this year. —

Utah men's basketball schedule

Nov. 14 • Ball State

Nov. 18 • at San Diego State

Nov. 21 • UC Riverside

Nov. 26 • Texas-Pan American

Nov. 28 • North Dakota

Nov. 29 • Alabama Stat

Dec. 3 • Wichita State

Dec. 10 • at BYU

Dec. 13 • at Kansas (Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo.)

Dec. 20 • at UNLV (MGM Grand, Las Vegas)

Dec. 23 • South Dakota State

Dec. 30 • Carroll College

Jan. 2 • USC

Jan. 4 • UCLA

Jan. 7 • Colorado

Jan. 15 • at Arizona State

Jan. 17 • at Arizona

Jan. 21 • Washington State

Jan. 25 • Washington

Jan. 29 • at UCLA

Feb. 1 • at USC

Feb. 7 • at Colorado

Feb. 12 • Stanford

Feb. 15 • Cal

Feb. 19 • at Oregon State

Feb. 22 - at Oregon

Feb. 26 • Arizona State

Feb. 28 • Arizona

March 5 • at Washington State

March 7 • at Washington

March 11-14 • Pac-12 tournament