When people think about Larry Bird, they think, 'Well he must have been an instant success, he must have been an instant star. He certainly was in the NCAA Tournament and played on national TV [right away].' All of those things are false. There is a very real reality in some alternative universe where Larry Bird doesn't become a basketball star at all.
UConn is outscoring opponents by 37.8 points per game with a +1435 scoring differential overall. It puts up 87.9 points per game, second in college basketball, and gives up 50.1 per contest, first in college basketball.
The Angels have not been named the moneyline favorite once yet this season. Los Angeles has entered the game as underdogs seven times this season and won three of those games.
Auburn has a +133 scoring differential, topping opponents by 3.7 points per game. It is putting up 82.6 points per game to rank 42nd in college basketball and is giving up 78.9 per contest to rank 312th in college basketball.