DURHAM, N.C. -- Jason Williams didn't want to dominate the USA Basketball experience for Chris Duhon.

So, Williams took a pass on playing and, in just an honest response, Duhon was glad.

Duhon needed his own time. He got it, won the gold with the World Championships for Young Men's team in Japan and became the confident leader he always knew he could be even before his summer tour.

"He's got more of a sway in his walk now," Williams said of Duhon. "He was a little timid last year but he's much more relaxed and ready to go."

	Jason Williams is still Duke's main man, but he wouldn't hesitate giving Chris Duhon the ball in crunch time.

And, if it's possible, they're even better as a backcourt tandem this season.

The praise for these two is coming in droves, like Fresno State and former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian calling them the best backcourt EVER in college basketball.

He's 71, meaning he has seen plenty of guards, but EVER?

Maybe.

It's not too crazy to see both of them being drafted in the top five if Duhon were to declare for the NBA draft in the spring after his sophomore season. Williams, a junior, is already saying he's gone after likely earning his degree in three years.

Watching the two of them in practice makes it clear why they will be the toughest duo to stop in college this season. Which one will command more attention? Well, if a team collapses on Carlos Boozer in the post, then either one could be open. The Blue Devils move the ball so efficiently around the perimeter that forward Mike Dunleavy Jr., is a threat to score from anywhere if he gets in position. The attention that Dunleavy and Boozer get enhances Williams' and Duhon's chances to score, too.

Both can step back and hit the deep 3-pointer. They can drive to the free-throw line and make the mid-range jumper. Williams has the better first step to the basket, but Duhon has the drive-and-dish move, too. Free throws are a cinch and defending and pressuring the ball is getting better with each practice.

	“	Coach told me last year that the best guard I might ever play with in my life, I'm playing with now. ”
		— Jason Williams, on playing with Duke teammate Chris Duhon

"Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) told me last year that the best guard I might ever play with in my life, I'm playing with now," Williams said of Duhon. "I have so much confidence in him now."

And they're almost toying with the competition, now in practice, soon in games.

Williams can average over 20 points, easily. Duhon could likely be right behind.

"Chris and I can score 20-30 a night," Williams said. "Chris is a dominant player now. He always wants to be, and when we compete against each other in practice, it's hard for us to guard each other. We talk trash to each other like how many points are you going to score. We do it to get each other pumped up."

Amazingly, there is no jealousy. Yes, credit Krzyzewski for the harmony, but the overall talent on this team has a hand in how these two get along.

There is a respect between the two that is unheard of between elite players. They simply want each other to succeed and have no problems ensuring that both get enough touches. And it doesn't matter that Williams is the preseason player of the year favorite, the one who will get more national attention with every game than Duhon.

"That's fine with me," Duhon said. "That's how I was raised. I mean, my mother did a great job with me where I don't have to be in the starlight all the time. I can take a backseat and have fun.

"Jason deserves the headlines and he's going to get that. I'll just wait my turn and if it ever comes then I'll be ready. For now I'll have fun sitting in the background."

	Chris Duhon's successful tour of duty with the U.S. Young Men's Team has given him even more confidence.

That'll be hard to do, considering he's starting to get near equal billing, largely because of his play this summer. Duhon took control of the U.S. team, directing players on the court in exhibitions in Dallas and in games in Japan. Duhon maximized every possession, with 14 assists in the championship game against Croatia, not to mention being the team's second-leading scorer overall (11.9) behind Boozer.

"It was great thing for him to be on that team," said Williams, who added that U.S. coach Jim Boeheim of Syracuse pleaded with him to come out for the team. "But I told him that I had my opportunity the year before and it made me a better player. I wanted it to do the same thing for Chris and it did. He came back better."

He wasn't too bad when he left. Duhon had 174 assists as a freshman with only 61 turnovers. His ACC assist-to-turnover ratio was 4.27-to-1, second was a distant 3.00. And, believe it or not, Duhon was the first Krzyzewski player to be named ACC Rookie of the Year.

Krzyzewski said Duhon could end up being the best assist-to-turnover player the ACC has ever produced.

"Chris is more liable to make the conservative pass," said Williams, who is more likely to take the big shot, but will then take the next one if it's available, rather than hiding if he misses a shot. "Chris doesn't see something and force it. I'll gamble more often."

But it pays off. Williams' stats in big games are rather huge. In 17 games against ranked opponents, Williams averaged 24 points and had 5.2 assists. The numbers are line with his ACC-leading 21.6 point average, 3.4 3s a game and second-leading assists (6.1) and 3-point percentage (42.7).

Williams was the co-leader on last season's national championship team with Shane Battier. Battier's gone and the team is on Williams' shoulders, although Duhon, Boozer and Dunleavy carry their share. Krzyzewski said Williams wants to be on that Jordan and Bird level.

	“	He's one of the best guards in college basketball history. For me to be on his side, well, I learn so much from him. ... I just thank God for this opportunity to play with him. ”
		— Chris Duhon on playing with teammate Jason Williams

"He's one of the best guards in college basketball history," Duhon said. "For me to be on his side, well, I learn so much from him. I learn how to be aggressive, when to pass and when not to pass, when to be selfish and when not to be selfish. I just thank God for this opportunity to play with him."

Enough. Got it? These two go together like, well, you fill in the blank.

"Jason Williams and Chris Duhon are as good a guards as anybody will see," Krzyzewski said. "I hope my system will evolve to use their talent. We'll start out with a plan and give them room to grow."

It's working. They're in concert in practice with rather ease. Williams' broken left hand is healed enough for him to play. They share shots, making the inside passes, the ones on the break and team up on a pressure, trapping defense. They're going to be hard to beat, unless they make the occasional mistake or simply miss.

They're that good and now they've got a championship to defend.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.