College basketball has often been enlivened by stars who turn average teams into worldbeaters. Larry Bird took Indiana State to the national finals in 1979. David Robinson and Navy made it to the round of 8 in 1986. Elena Delle Donne led little Delaware to the round of 16 in 2013.
Now Ben Simmons, the 19-year-old freshman superstar, is looking to make some magic at his surprise college choice, Louisiana State, which last season made the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament for the first time in six years.
So far, things do not look too good. The way things are going, L.