shakespeare

[Paul Sherman]

"The end crowns all. And that old common arbitrator, Time, will one day end it."

In Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, the Trojan hero Hector gives an existential twist to the Latin phrase finis coronat opus: the end crowns the work. The original is a more forgiving statement; when a task is completed, the finished product justifies the effort. Hector, preparing for a fatal battle with Achilles, adds that cruelest of elements: time. Only so much of his fate rests in his own hands, for there are forces present no person can control.

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[left: Patrick Barron; right and center: Marc-Gregor Campredon]

Michigan lost at Illinois on January 11th, falling to 11-6 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Their November dismantlings of Marquette and SMU had gone from promising augurs to cruel teases. The offense was merely good, the defense abominable. When the Illini's Maverick Morgan described Michigan as a "white collar" program, it rankled because it rang true.

Derrick Walton didn't spend his summer in the gym for this. He called a team meeting. When asked about the timing, the senior captain answered with his usual calm, but his words communicated a sense of urgency.

"It’s only so many games left.

"We’re hitting the mid stretch and the back stretch is coming soon. It’s time to make some noise. I feel like we are a ton better team than we’ve showed and our record doesn’t show it. I think we’re a lot better than we’re playing and guys are ready to show that."

In only so many games, Walton redefined his legacy from program guy to program legend, led a storybook turnaround, and shifted the perception of the coach whose offense he helped reshape.

[Hit THE JUMP.]

O! that a man might know
The end of this day's business, ere it come;

On the morrow we shall be bath'd in sunlight and spring football, but today, my friends, is an opportunity nearly as great and many times as wet. For this eve shall mark the inaugural Go Blue Bowl, whence a crapload of Michigan football alumni shalt descend upon the institution of secondary education known as Pioneer High School and forthwith become as volunteer coaches.

Here's yon latest roster (by graduation year) and what these noble knights hath been doing these years hence which I know what of offhand:

Yes, Donovan, I'm getting to those.

• Marcus Ray, BTN and WTKA analyst
• Ron Bellamy, head football coach West Bloomfield
• Dave Pearson, (don't know; I'll ask)
• Bennie Joppru, who calls himself "NFL bust, major weirdo creep" on twitter
• Cato June, head coach of Anacostia in D.C.
• Andy Mignery, WTKA radio personality
• Chris Perry, a non-MGoBlog reader
• Brandon Williams, director of Go Blue Then and Now
• Earnest Shazor, working in health care
• Roy Manning, University of Michigan Athletic Director and CEO and Future-Creating Chief Visionary Officer Dave Brandon Who Has a Six Pack Cornerbacks Coach at the University of Michigan
• Marlin Jackson, director of the Fight for Life Foundation
• Jerome Jackson, sometime MGoBlog reader
• Steve Breaston, NFL free agent
• Tim Massaquoi, college counselor and clinical psychologist
• Jason Avant, NFL free agent
• Donovan Warren, NFL free agent who's been trying to start up a new youth football league
• Jordan Kovacs, NFL safety for Miami
• Mike Schofield, NFL draft prospect; and
• Jeremy Gallon, pint-sized NFL draft prospect.

Also on hand this evening: precipitation. Yes, we're playing anyway.

There's one spot left on the alumni teams. The event is to help launch the same three Fight for Life Foundation programs in Ann Arbor and environs that have helped so many disadvantaged kids get back on track in Indianapolis.

Diaries as Soliloquy:

Coach Schiano:

To foul, or not follow, that is the question.
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to put
their 50-percent free throw shooters on the line
and in so doing, give ourselves a chance to respond,
Or to take Caris LeVert's arm
against a three point attempt of troubles
And by opposing end them?

ClearEyesFullHeart:

O mighty Izzo! Dost thy teams lie so low'?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
accomplished with talent of so little measure?

I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else's recruits were of such rank:
If I myself, there is no honor so fit
As State's death hour.

Padog:

You three, Sheehey, Fischer, and Vonleh,
Have sworn for four years' term to live with me
My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes
That are recorded in this schedule here:
Your oaths are pass'd; and yet to transfer/NBA exits you subscribe your names,
That his own hand may strike his honour down.

Lanyard Program:

Hark. a program in miniature.

Best of the Board

BETCHA CAN'T HIT BETSA

The latest in softball is freshman phenom Megan Betsa threw a no-hitter. Your move, Wagner. Also: WTH, athletic department who scheduled the baseball and softball games at the same time as the Spring Game?

LOVE UNFULFILLED

Ghost of BCook's Ethics (?) started an interesting discussion topic: Michigan basketball recruits who didn't live up to the hype. Other than a handful of obvious guys there aren't all that many on the ground. I submit Amadou Ba. Not a hyped prospect, really, but it was cool to have a big man from Africa. He played just 43 minutes in his career behind Courtney Sims, Graham Brown, and Chrus Hunter. Just think of monster slams where we could yell "BAAAAAAAH!"

ETC. Next Beckmann (seriously asking, is it not obviously Karsch?)? An HTTV for Penn State fans. Just offer in-state Drew Brees already! Show up early for the spring game to see the Schembechler museum, or stop by tonight to see a giant statue of the man who most defined the Michigan we know today they're now systematically replacing with monuments and such.

Your Moment of Zen:

Sometimes an opponent's last-second, contested three-pointer goes in. Other times…

Hi five!!!

As night descends, so we reach the final act.

Liveblog Chaos Mitigation Post. O heavy lightness, serious vanity, prevent the misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms.

From the Sponsor.  There are a few defining moments which truly capture what it means to be a Michigan Wolverine.  Michigan Basketball, thank you for creating those moments for us this season.  Bring us home the championship!  Go Blue!  --Shashi Mara

About the sponsor: Marawatch creates officially licensed Swiss timepieces for the University of Michigan (pictured above: The Gamechanger).