In the midst of an undefeated football season, some of you may have forgotten: Basketball is coming. Soon. It also doesn’t help that this year’s version of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s basketball team will be young, largely unknown, and have little expectations. But that didn’t stop coach Mike Brey from taking Rex Pflueger and T.J. Gibbs along with him to ACC media day earlier this week.

Here are the highlights.

Youth, Inexperience, and The New Leaders

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Irish are young, and the coach knows it. Brey admitted that a rotation that features four freshman and a transfer will be totally new to him. As such, I expect the loosest coach in America to remain loose early in the season and let his young guys let it fly.

The leaders of the team - and Brey pointed out that they’re doing a great job - are Rex Pflueger and T.J. Gibbs, naturally. Brey also stated that the foreign tour gave the freshmen a chance to find their place, and the leaders a chance to do just that - lead.

The College Hoops Trial

The press conference also gave Mike Brey a chance to speak on the FBI investigation and trial regarding recruiting practices and shoe companies in the NCAA, fielding multiple questions regarding that and amateurism. Brey restated his philosophy, “stay clean and stay competitive” when discussing the events. He also shed a little light on “the underworld” of college hoops that has always been there, but he was generally optimistic on changes happening for the better in oh, maybe five years.

“Burn the whole thing down. Get it all out, take our medicine.” - Brey

The Fanny Pack is Back

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, a friend of mine in high fashion (I don’t have any) told me (no they didn’t) that 90’s style is coming back. For me, that means that the quintessential fashion accessory should be the fanny pack. Clearly, Pflueger had some similar insider info. He was spotted sporting a fanny pack at ACC Media days, and when asked about it, he stated that he was “in cahoots” with Lil Wayne in bringing it back. He also holds stuff in it. I’m with it, Rex.

Glasses, head phones, air pods, and fashion!

Here is the full Q and A for your viewing pleasure:

The Notre Dame’s last exhibition game is next Thursday, November 1st, against Central State. They’ll tip off the season in the Gotham Classic against the U.I.C. Flames on November 6th.