Shakespeare Dares the “Chalky Cliffs”

Picks Number 1 Seed Duke to Win March Madness

Last Thursday Bard Ball was the name of the game as Willy the Shake went four for four and could say with Tamburlaine that “I hold the Fates bound fast in iron chains, and with my hand turn Fortune's wheel about” (1.2), but by Friday midnight it was clear to him that “not being fortune, he’s but fortune’s knave” (Antony and Cleopatra, 5.2) as he went one for four and only managed that with “the help of Devils” (1 Henry VI, 5.4).  Today he enters “once more into the fray” (Henry V, 3.1) to predict the 2010 National NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion from this weekend’s Final Four.  And this time he’s going with the chalk.

BUTLER BULLDOGS vs. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Will likes underdogs, but despite the home court advantage the Butler Bulldogs have in Indianapolis, he thinks the Bulldogs “now bull” (Troilus and Cressida, 5.7), and Spartan Coach “Izzo ripe,” so that the home team “needs must break.” (King John, 4.1).  In short, on Sunday “they’ll talk of State” (Richard II, 3.2).

→ MICHIGAN STATE to the championship game

DUKE BLUE DEVILS vs. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Looking at the injury to their best player, Shakespeare wondered “who would believe that there were Mountaineers” (Tempest, 3.3) still in the tournament? Nonetheless, in Saturday’s second game the “Devils soonest tempt” (Love’s Labors Lost, 4.3).

→ DUKE to the championship game

DUKE BLUE DEVILS vs. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Shakespeare’s words to Spartan fans on Monday night are “lament thy miserable State” (3 Henry VI, 1.4).  And though they will wish it not the case that  “the Duke we talk of were returned again” (Measure for Measure, 3.2) the Duke Blue Devils will come home to Durham champions.