Guard play is so important in college basketball today because good guards can help control the game. They also help with solid perimeter shooting and defense.

Most top-flight teams feature solid backcourts. It is not easy to pick the top guard groups in college basketball. Here is my list of the premier backcourts in America. My numero uno …let's head out to Lawrence, Kansas.

1. Kansas: Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers, Sherron Collins, Brandon Rush (swings)

2: Ohio State: Jamar Butler, Ron Lewis, Mike Conley, Daequan Cook

3: Marquette: Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews, David Cubillan

4: Florida: Lee Humphrey, Taurean Green, Walter Hodge

5. UCLA: Arron Afflalo, Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook, Michael Roll, Josh Shipp (swings)

6. Virginia: Sean Singletary, J.R. Reynolds

7. Gonzaga: Derek Raivio, Jeremy Pargo, Matt Bouldin, Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.