Top 12 Backcourts

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As we all know, guard play is what wins games in March. Teams need solid perimeter production if they want to make a deep run in the Madness. The following teams have the best backcourts in the nation:

1. North Carolina: Now that Ty Lawson is back, the Tar Heels are back to one of the best teams in the country. Wayne Ellington is a terrific shooter, and Quentin Thomas has proven he can handle point guard responsibilities.
2. Texas: The Longhorns are carried by their guards, and D.J. Augustin might be the best point guard in the country. A.J. Abrams can really stroke the three well, and Justin Mason is a solid two-way player.
3. Kansas: The Jayhawks have arguably the deepest group of talented guards in the country. Mario Chalmers is a great defender and scorer, Brandon Rush can shoot, Russell Robinson is a tremendous on-ball defender and leader, and Sherron Collins might be the most talented.
4. UCLA: Another great guard duo. Darren Collison is a premier point guard, while Russell Westbrook has developed into one of the best defenders in the country. Josh Shipp is a very good scorer.
5. Memphis: Talented and deep, Memphis is loaded on the perimeter. Derrick Rose has shown he is one of the best point guards in the country, while Chris-Douglas Roberts is an All-American. Antonio Anderson is solid.
6. Tennessee: The Volunteers are deep on the perimeter, led by the resurgent Chris Lofton and his shooting ability. JaJuan Smith is a great two-way player, while Ramar Smith and Jordan Howell split PG responsibilities.
7. Washington State: I had the Cougars ranked in the top-two going into the season in terms of backcourts, with Kyle Weaver and Derrick Low leading the way. Throw in Taylor Rochestie, and they are stacked.
8. Duke: The Blue Devils might have the deepest group of perimeter players around. Gerald Henderson and DeMarcus Nelson are excellent on the wings, while Greg Paulus and Nolan Smith are solid at the point.
9. Marquette: The Golden Eagles have had one of the best guard groups in the country the past couple of years, and this is no different. Dominic James and Jerel McNeal are outstanding, while David Cubillan and Maurice Acker could star. Wesley Matthews is the x-factor.
10. Butler: Find a better mid-major duo than Mike Green and A.J. Graves. Green is clearly one of the best point guards in the country, while Graves is still clutch and can really shoot the ball.
11. Baylor: The Bears were one of the last teams in the Dance, and their backcourt is a main reason. Curtis Jerrells can do it all; LaceDarius Dunn is a great freshman; and Henry Dugat can score. Don't forget Tweety Carter or Aaron Bruce, either.
12. Davidson: The Wildcats will live and die by their guards. Stephen Curry is one of the best scorers and shooters in the country, while Jason Richards led the NCAA in assists and is a very good playmaker.