Can Cal women end Stanford’s reign in hoops Big Game?

Change came to the Stanford women’s basketball program last offseason. Superstar Cameron Brink was chosen No. 2 in the WNBA draft. Budding star Kiki Iriafen transferred to USC. And, most significantly, coaching icon Tara VanDerveer retired.

But Charmin Smith, who played for VanDerveer and is in her sixth season as head coach at Cal, isn’t expecting anything less from the Cardinal: “They’re still Stanford.”

And when the Bears (9-1) open their first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference on Friday night at Haas Pavilion...