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Pregame preview: Cal Golden Bears talk UConn face-off

January 24 2016: California Golden Bears forward Kristine Anigwe (31) works the ball into the basket with USC Trojans forward Kristen Simon (35) defending during the game between the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. USC Trojans take the win over Cal 61-47. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
January 24 2016: California Golden Bears forward Kristine Anigwe (31) works the ball into the basket with USC Trojans forward Kristen Simon (35) defending during the game between the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. USC Trojans take the win over Cal 61-47. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)

No. 20 California Golden Bears have made a trip across the country to take on the top-ranked UConn Huskies tonight at 7pm ET. After an impressive 13-game win streak kicking off their previous 2016-17 season, Cal will be tested much earlier, facing (not-so-arguably) the most challenging opponent in their second game.

STANFORD, CA – California Golden Bears forward Penina Davidson
STANFORD, CA – California Golden Bears forward Penina Davidson

Cal returns nine of ten scholarship players from last season’s 20-14 overall team.  Out of those ten, only two, Mikayla Cowling and Penina Davidson, are seniors.

Junior Kristine Anigwe, the single unanimous preseason All-Pac-12 team selection, led the team last year with 21 PPG (good for second in the conference, short to only Kelsey Plum) and 9.3 RPG (third in the conference).

SEATTLE, WA – Cal Bears guard Mikayla Cowling
SEATTLE, WA – Cal Bears guard Mikayla Cowling

Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb is looking to her veteran team for their maturity throughout the season. “I’ve been on a big stage before played a lot of great teams…I can tell my teammates what to expect to be composed,” Cowling spoke of the positive impact of her collegiate basketball tenure.

Tonight’s coast-to-coast contest will be a battle of athleticism between two top-ranked teams.  Cal seeks to defy the overwhelmingly slanted prediction of a UConn victory.

The Summitt caught up with Cal earlier today and spoke about the match up.  Anigwe, Davidson and Cowling weighed in on their expectations, confidence and preparation regarding the Huskies.

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Connecticut will host California tonight at Gampel Pavilion, 7pm ET.  The game will be shown on SNY and ESPN3.

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