This news actually came out a couple of days ago, but message board posters’ love for ‘BTTS’ made it worth waiting a day or two. Former Virginia quarterback Aaron Brooks has been elected to the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Brooks, of course, is the subject that made BTTS – Brooks Traded To Saints (or BTTTS – Brooks Traded To The Saints) – part of the common lingo on TheSabre.com.
Anyway, after that trade sent Brooks from the Packers to the Saints, he made the most of his opportunity. Just six weeks after becoming the starting quarterback, Brooks led New Orleans to its first playoff victory in franchise history. In his career with the Saints, he passed for 19,156 yards, 120 touchdowns, and 84 interceptions.
Read the full news release here.
ACC Football Schedules
News came out of the ACC spring meetings last week that the conference is requiring its members to schedule at least one non-conference football game against another Power 5 (Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) team. The requirement begins in 2017.
ESPN writer David M. Hale decided to take a look at the ACC’s schedules over the past five years (read it here) as a result. The numbers? U-G-L-Y. The ACC is 22-51 against Power 5 teams in the five years from 2009-2014. And three of those wins came against new ACC members (Pitt, Syracuse and Louisville). And no – none, zero, zippo – team has a winning non-conference record against Power 5 teams in that span. Did I say U-G-L-Y yet?
Anyway, take a look at the full article for a whole breakdown of the numbers and some more great nuggets … including how often Virginia Tech has played a Power 5 team in those five years. Hint: Not often.
Sporting News Likes the Hoos
Shortly after the season, the Sporting News did one of those ‘way too early’ top 25 rankings for the 2014-15 season. Author Mike DeCourcy updated those rankings Thursday after the spring signing period. He still likes the Hoos, placing them No. 8 in the top 25. Read the full rankings slide show here.
About UVa, he wrote that experience and defense are likely strengths for the Cavaliers. “That means opponents are in for another year of trying to solve a defense that often appears to be seamless.” He credited that defense as a major reason UVa won the ACC in 2013-2014. “The Cavaliers’ impenetrable defense never ceased to be problematic” and, as Virginia fans all know, the defense isn’t changing any time soon.
Brownell’s Extension
Clemson officially announced (click here) a contract extension for men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell. In four seasons, Brownell has guided the Tigers to a 74-58 record with one NCAA Tournament appearance and one NIT appearance (made the semifinals).
The new deal is for six years. Clemson Rivals reporter Larry Williams Tweeted that the contract includes a salary escalator ($1.55 million in year one to $2 million in year six) and a decreasing buyout ($5 million now, $3.5 million with three seasons left, $3 million the final two seasons).
Tweet of the Day
Congrats to Courtney Swan, winner of the Elite 89 award for having the highest GPA at the #NCAAWLAX Championship. pic.twitter.com/rwEuhNJ2p3
— Virginia Women's Lacrosse (@UVAWomensLax) May 22, 2014
Hoo-Tube Video of the Day
Fun Friday for The Afternoon Break returns with the Cavalier Marching Band’s “Evolution of Dance” halftime show in 2013!
