No. 1 UConn women open home schedule tonight vs. No. 20 California

Storrs — Kicking off the season with four straight games against ranked opponents, challenges won't be hard to come by for the top-ranked UConn women's basketball team.

Possibly the biggest task the Huskies face in today's home opener against No. 20 California (7 p.m., SNY) will be contending with the

Bears' imposing 6-foot-4 junior forward/center Kristine Anigwe.

Anigwe's 1,366 points are the most nationally among the junior class and is 24th among active Division I players. She is one of three active Division I players to average at least 20 points per game in her career and is fifth among active players with an average of 9.2 rebounds per game.

"She was at the 23-and-under camp this fall and she's really athletic. She works really hard and is just an aggressive kid," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "She plays hard around the basket, she chased rebounds, she attacks the basket and they run a lot of stuff through her.

"It's not an easy task. We switch a lot so it won't be just one player, but it's going to be a tough matchup."

Anigwe has played on U.S. junior national teams with current Huskies Napheesa Collier, Crystal Dangerfield, Katie Lou Samuelson and Azurá Stevens, so they have a pretty good idea about the challenge facing them.

"She's a really strong post player so it'll be easier knowing what she does when you guard her in the game," Collier said. "She's a really strong, athletic player so we're going to have to keep her out of the post and be physical with her."

A year ago the Huskies had to deal with their share of 6-4 and 6-5 players, with the 6-1 Collier and 5-11 Gabby Williams drawing many of the tough defensive matchups inside.

"I've been working a lot on moving my feet, and even though I'm smaller than them, I have to push them off the block and do whatever I can to get an advantage," Collier said.

Having the 6-6 Stevens to bring in off the bench will be an added plus, but fellow transfer Batouly Camara, a 6-2 sophomore, won't be available. She continues to work her way back from a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Camara said she hopes to be able to practice without restriction in about 2-3 weeks.