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Notorious G.I.Z.

Just Give Her the Damn Ball

Unfortunately, because she is a center, Janowski is at the mercy of her teammates to get her the ball if she is to turn in a good performance. Guards handle the ball so often and in such a position so as to have the luxury to create their own shots by way of a drive, a spot-up jumper, a jump shot off the dribble, etc. Forwards and centers need to receive the ball in order to do something with it, and Janowski is not receiving the ball very often.

Against Penn on Friday night, Janowski took matters into her own hands. She frequently came to the top of the key to get the ball--because the Crimson appears to have a phobia of passing into the post--and created her shots with strong drives to the hoop and by collecting numerous offensive rebounds. She finished with a double-double, collecting 17 points and 10 boards on 8-of-12 shooting, and handed out three assists as well.

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Why did Harvard lose? Because the Crimson decided not to play defense in the second half, and it did not have an answer for the tandem of Caramanico (26 points, 13 rebounds) and junior point guard Mandy West (27 points).

The first few minutes of the Princeton contest were almost painful to watch. Janowski was wide open in the post on each of Harvard's first five possessions and did not receive the ball in good position (i.e., at the right time) once. She had three turnovers in the first two minutes, and none were her fault. All were the result of her teammates' poorly-timed passes or their not paying attention when she passed out of a double-team.

Sure, Princeton was double- and triple-teaming Janowski--apparently the Tigers recognize her talents more than her own team does--but Janowski's ability to pass out of those traps creates shots for her teammates.

Six minutes into the contest, the ball finally came to Janowski in the lane, Princeton dropped a double-team onto her, and she kicked the ball out to freshman point guard Jen Monti at the top of the key for a wide open three-pointer. Monti canned the trey--assist Janowski. She finished with five assists in the game.

Not until 7:37 remained in the first half did Janowski attempt her first shot, and then it was only because she drove from the outside. She was fouled and converted one of two free throws.

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