POINT GUARD'S WORLD

It's hard to succeed in college basketball without a rock-solid point guard. Case in point: Here are the point guards from the six Big Ten teams that made the NCAA tournament in 2011-12 (all but Taylor and Jackson return):

Jordan Hulls, Indiana: Averaged 11.7 ppg and shot 49.3 percent on three-pointers last season, good for No. 2 in the Big Ten.

Aaron Craft, Ohio State: Tied for third in the Big Ten with 4.6 assists per game and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin: Better as a junior but still averaged 14.8 ppg and took almost every big shot for a Sweet 16 team.

Trey Burke, Michigan: Named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the league media after averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 assists.

Keith Appling, Michigan State: Named third-team All-Big Ten after averaging 11.4 ppg and 3.9 apg. Was the only Michigan State player to start every game.

Lewis Jackson, Purdue: Was third in the Big Ten with a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and averaged 10.4 ppg.

MICHAEL RAND