Georgetown and Kansas: Two Of A Kind

The Georgetown Hoyas and the Kansas Jayhawks are both among the most storied programs in Division I basketball history.

The schools have produced a combined total of 53 All-Americans and both have excellent teams this year. Between the two they have won three National Championships and have been to 17 Final Four berths.

Their most recent All-Americans were Jeff Green and Wayne Simien. Though Kansas may have more National Championships and has been the better program in the past, Georgetown is beginning to make strides evidenced by their Final Four berth last season.

The two are similar in many more ways. First off, both of their floor generals are not in the image of a traditional point guard. Mario Chalmers (Kansas) averages 5.0 assists per game and 29.2 minutes per game. Jonathan Wallace (Georgetown) averages 2.5 APG in 26.5 MPG. That's only a combined average of 7.5 APG—both low numbers from any point guard in Division I basketball.

The most astounding fact is that neither guard has ever had more than eight assists in their collegiate career combined!

Russell Robinson and James Sapp are both streaky shooters who decide to shoot early in the shot clock. Both are extremely fond of the three pointer as they have tendencies to pull up and take the bomb rather then help set up shop for the offense. Their love for the long range shot is a great asset to both programs, but has also proven to be costly at times.

Thirdly, Brandon Rush and Dajuan Summers are penetrators. They are listed as forwards, but in reality they are shooting guards. Rush and Summers can get to the rim at will and are great rebounders and inside scorers for a player at their position. They are most effective when drawing the defense in and then kicking out to James Sapp or Russell Robinson for the easy trey.

Patrick Ewing Jr. and Darnell Jackson are home run hitters for both teams with their tenacious defense and good inside scoring. Ewing Jr. and Jackson provide mostly weak side help and always have a nose for the ball.

Ewing Jr. has already come up big for Georgetown on the defensive end this season, blocking a potential game winning shot against West Virginia. Jackson was instrumental in a close Kansas victory over the USC Trojans from the Pac-10. 

Last but not least, Roy Hibbert and Darrell Arthur both lead their team in scoring with 13.3 PPG for Hibbert and 13.8 PPG for Arthur. Both are low averages to be a team's leading contributor, but Roy and Darrell are game changers on defense and offense.

Hibbert's 7'2", 278 pound frame makes for a long day for whoever has to guard him. Arthur's physical presence down low creates a mismatch against team in the Big XII.

The Hoyas and the Jayhawks will definitely make it to the tournament. Georgetown and Kansas are two of the best teams in NCAA and it will be fun watching them come March.