CLEMSON — It was media day for the Clemson men’s basketball team on Monday at the new Brown Family Pavilion.

Not only did we get to some of the new men’s facilities at Littlejohn Coliseum, but we also got to speak with Clemson’s four new transfer players, as well as a couple of returning players. We were able to interview new players Cole Certa, Dylan Faulkner, David Fuchs and Liutauras Lelevicius. We also spoke with Chase Thompson, Dallas Thomas and Trent Steinour.

Following the interviews, we were allowed to watch the first 30 minutes of practice. Below are some things we were able to observe from the open session.

–First off, the facility is amazing. Clemson now has one of the top facilities in the country in men’s and women’s basketball. Both teams have their own practice floor. Faulkner told me the facilities played a big role in why he picked Clemson. He said they showed him what it would be like when he came on his official visit, but he said, the pictures did not do it justice.

–Faulkner also spoke on how he broke his toe earlier this summer. He said he slipped while running into the bathroom, and he heard it break right when he went down. He said the toe has healed. He said he has been going full speed since practice started, which we noticed on Monday.

–Forward Carter Welling, who is still recovering from his torn ACL in the ACC Tournament last spring, seems to be doing well. He was off to the side of the court doing rehab exercises, as well just watching practice and soaking it in.

–No surprise, Brownell’s practices are very structured and very intense. He moves fast with his players. On Monday, he was working on set plays during the sessions we were allowed to watch. He also worked on his players being trapped and how they need to get out of those traps.

–It was hard to tell who were the starters while we were watching. Brownell had the team mixed. For instance, Cole Certa was playing with Ace Buckner, Liutauras Lelevicius, Davis Fuchs and Dylan Faulkner, while Chase Thompson was playing with Harris Reynolds, Dillon Hunter, Trent Steinour, Will Stevens and Dallas Thomas.

–Speaking of Stevens, the freshman made a great pass during trapping drills that led to an easy layup.

–Here is why it is good to have Dillon Hunter on the floor with this team, even in practice. Hunter knows every play Brownell is calling, which, with all the new players, it is good for the team to have someone with that kind of knowledge who can get people where they need to be fast and why they are there.

–Dallas Thomas said he has gotten stronger in the off-season, even though he is still not physically big.

–Steinour, by the way, has bulked up, as has Thompson, who looks a little slimmer this year.