Starting Five: Best 1-2 punches in 2013-14

Scott Gleeson | USA TODAY Sports

Is it March yet? Hardly. With the NCAA tournament far in the rearview mirror and Midnight Madness several months away, USA TODAY Sports examines several story lines for the 2013-14 college basketball season.

When the season tips off in November, the nation's best teams almost always boast star-caliber players with the ability to take over games on the offensive end.

Whether it's in the backcourt, in the paint or a mix of both — off a pick-and-roll combination, the formula of two potent scorers can give a team a huge edge and strong NCAA tournament chances.

The 2013-14 season figures to be one of beauty — with top returners coming back after exploring NBA waters, and let's not forget one of the most hyped freshmen classes to date. Almost every premier team's makeup is led by a 1-2 scoring punch. Here's a forecast of next season's best dynamic duos:

Adreian Payne and Gary Harris, Michigan State: Payne and Harris passed on chances at the NBA to return to East Lansing — giving coach Tom Izzo what could be one of his best teams to date (that includes consecutive Final Four teams). The Spartans look like a preseason top five team, and that's because Payne (10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds per game) and Harris (12.9 points per game) were the catalysts of MSU's 27-9 team last season. At 6-10, 240 lbs, Payne is an interior force with major upside, and now that Derrick Nix is gone Izzo will count on Payne for much more offensive productivity. Harris is a dynamic combo guard who can create, and when teamed up with point guard Keith Appling, the Spartans own the Big Ten's best backcourt. Appling might be the most important piece in initiating Izzo's offense — running the pick and roll with Payne and creating for Harris. But Payne and Harris are the difference-makers.

Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III, Michigan: When Trey Burke announced he'd return for his sophomore season in 2012, coach John Beilein was gift-wrapped a future player of the year. Although NBA lottery candidates Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III don't have quite the same potential, their return to Ann Arbor will help the Wolverines remain with the elite after losing Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. from last season's NCAA runner-up squad. Although McGary (7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds per game) and Robinson (11 points, 5.4 rebounds per game) don't drop jaws with their freshmen stat sheets, considering the voids to fill and more opportunity, both players should be primed for surging sophomore campaigns. This summer both went to the LeBron James Skills Academy and played against the top players in the country. Based on his strong NCAA tournament performances, McGary showed signs of an All-American run. Robinson never fully hit his stride during his freshman season, so being more assertive will be a priority. Michigan's freshman class was hyped last season, mainly because of these two players. Along with fellow sophomore Nik Stauskas, this Michigan team could again be dangerous.

Andrew Harrison and Julius Randle, Kentucky: Now that the returners are out of the way, it's time to turn the focus to two highly-anticipated freshmen. John Calipari's recruiting class — hyped as one of the getting hyped as the best since the early 1990s — is best known for its depth (8 McDonald's All-Americans), the two freshmen that stand out as potential All-Americans are Harrison and Randle. Outside of Andrew Wiggins, Randle has the best ability to dominate thanks to a 6-9, 240-pound frame. Randle has been criticized for having a lazy gene, but Calipari will put an end to that real quick, as will a stacked big man lineup to compete against behind returnee Willie Cauley-Stein and freshman big man Dakari Johnson. Harrison was rated as the top point guard in his class for good reason, as his control and decision making should bode well in the college game. But he also could have the most challenging job in the country: Making everyone on the Wildcats' roster happy. It might not be by early season or mid-season, but these two players figure to be a scary mix for opponents come March.

Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood, Duke: The Blue Devils lose a ton of talent, including leading scorers in seniors Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly. But Parker, the second-best freshman behind Wiggins, and fellow 6-foot-8 wing Rodney Hood, will make for a virtually unguardable duo when they're on the court at the same time. The two give Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski a potent combo package for ACC opponents. Parker, a smooth forward who can play on the perimeter with range, will fit nicely into the Blue Devils' system. Hood, who's now eligible after sitting out last season as a transfer from Mississippi State, might be one of the most underrated players in the country. He's essentially a shooting guard at 6-8. Both players will feed well off the backcourt of point guard Quinn Cook and Rasheed Sulaimon. One LeBron James-like player is tough. Two is unbeatable if the chemistry pans out.

Marcus Smart and Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State: Smart returns to the Cowboys as a player of the year candidate following a sensational freshman season in which he averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals. Granted, this is a Marcus Smart-piloted team, but Oklahoma State could be a top 10 team because of its other contributors. Le'Bryan Nash (14 points per game) returns following a breakout sophomore year and is the No. 2 option on an offensively loaded roster of returners. Markel Brown (15.3 points per game) complements Smart well in the backcourt and makes the Cowboys a three-headed scoring monster, but it's Nash who has the power to take much of the offensive load off the star point guard. Smart's summer experience with USA basketball will surely benefit. Behind Smart and Nash, this is a team that's got a great shot to end the Kansas Jayhawks' nine-year Big 12 regular-season title streak.

Special Mention: Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell, Virginia: Watch the video below for explanation.

Honorable Mentions: Traveon Graham and Juvonte Reddic (VCU), Kendall Williams and Alex Kirk (New Mexico), Yogi Ferrell and Noah Vonleh (Indiana), Aaron Gordon and T.J. McConnell (Arizona), Jordan McRae and Jarnell Stokes (Tennessee).

Noted: Pending P.J. Hairston's eligibility, his return meshed with James Michael McAdoo, gives North Carolina a fearsome tandem.

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Scott Gleeson, a national college basketball writer/producer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.

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