The 2026-27 college basketball season is still months away, but with most rosters taking shape, some of the top programs in the country are already generating serious buzz. Most teams have just a handful of roster spots remaining after hitting the transfer portal hard this offseason, and now that the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline has come and gone, much of the returning talent is locking in for another season.
With all this in mind, a handful of backcourt duos stand out as must-watch combinations. Here’s a look at the five best guard pairings as of today.
5. Jordan Smith & Meleek Thomas – Arkansas Razorbacks
John Calipari has assembled what could become one of the most explosive backcourts in the country. Rising sophomore Meleek Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a freshman, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three.
Running alongside him will be the nation’s No. 2 recruit in the 2026 class. Jordan Smith, a 6-foot-2 combo guard, consistently impacts winning — combining a 6-foot-9 wingspan with elite defense and the ability to attack the basket with force. This duo has the raw talent to rival anyone on this list.
4. Jamarion Batemon & Killyan Toure – Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State had to completely rebuild this offseason after losing Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic to the NBA Draft. Luckily for them, the Cyclones have two elite playmakers ready to step up.
Killyan Toure was one of the elite defensive guards in the Big 12 as a first-year player, averaging 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds on 46 percent shooting. Meanwhile, Jamarion Batemon enters next season as a high-upside scorer, averaging 6.6 points in a reserve role last season.
The duo presents real upside, and if both make a jump in the starting lineup, the Cyclones could field one of the better backcourts in their conference.
3. Cayden Boozer & John Blackwell – Duke Blue Devils
Despite losing Cameron Boozer to the NBA Draft, Duke will feature a lethal one-two punch next season. Cayden Boozer averaged 7.7 points on 50 percent shooting, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 22.8 minutes per game as a freshman, stepping into the starting lineup during March Madness after Caleb Foster’s injury. With a full year of experience behind him and more freedom to run the offense, his sophomore leap could be significant.
Alongside him arrives transfer John Blackwell, who put up a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game at Wisconsin while shooting nearly 39 percent from three. He also saved his best for the biggest stages, with a 34-point Big Ten Tournament performance vs Washington and a 31-point overtime win vs Illinois.
2. Silas Demary Jr. & Braylon Mullins – UConn Huskies
After falling short in the National Championship to Michigan, Dan Hurley reloaded by bringing back his star-guard duo. Silas Demary Jr. earned All-Big East First Team and Big East All-Defensive Team honors, leading the conference with 6.0 assists per game while averaging 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals.
Playing alongside him is Braylon Mullins, who averaged 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.1 percent as a freshman. He etched himself into March Madness history by burying a near-40-foot shot with 0.4 seconds left to stun Duke in the Elite Eight.
Mullins chose to return to college despite some first-round draft buzz, instantly making UConn’s backcourt one of the most formidable in the country.
1. Elliott Cadeau & Trey McKenney – Michigan Wolverines
The defending champions aren’t just bringing a trophy back to Ann Arbor, they’re bringing back both primary ball-handlers. Elliot Cadeau started all 40 games this past year, averaging a career-high 10.5 points and 5.9 assists while shooting 37.6 percent from three.
Joining him is Trey McKenney, a former McDonald’s All-American and 2025 Mr. Basketball who averaged 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and knocking down a team-high 68 threes. He hit 12 three-point shots in the NCAA Tournament, including a big one in the National Championship vs UConn.
With Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. departing, McKenney steps into a starting role alongside Cadeau, giving Michigan the most dangerous backcourt combination in the country heading into 2026-27.