Whenever Alabama claims 18 national titles, it includes that same 1934, when it got the nod from the Dunkel System, the Houlgate System, the Poling System, the Williamson System and the Berryman Quality Point Rating System.

Ikeria and Layla won based on a calculation of quality point average or Q.P.A., a system of calculating grades that gave extra weight to advanced placement and dual credit courses.

But she adds: "If you're looking purely from the quality point of view and what the right thing to do by the story is, then I don't think it does make sense."

Playing alongside another elite big in Anthony Davis, and with a quality point guard in Jrue Holiday, Cousins has a chance to push New Orleans into the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

The Australians, with big bodies inside, quality point guards to counter the American pressure and a wealth of NBA championship experience, stood toe to toe with the team that had blown them out of the past two Olympics in the quarterfinals.