Off to its best start since 2015-16, California men's basketball tests its unbeaten record against the top-ranked team in the country in the world's most famous arena. The Golden Bears face the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils in the 2K Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project Thursday at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET in Madison Square Garden.

The Bears have already picked up a pair of wins in the Empire Classic regional rounds, topping California Baptist by 20 points, 82-62, and grinding out a 54-50 win over Prairie View A&M. Thursday's action marks the first for the Bears in New York City, with Cal also set to face either Texas or Georgetown on Friday at MSG.

Along with a perfect 4-0 record on the season, the Bears bring a trio of double-figure scorers to the Big Apple, led by Matt Bradley's 20 points per game. Upperclassmen Kareem South (11.3 ppg) and Grant Anticevich (11.0) have helped shoulder the load, with Anticevich coming off the most productive two-game stretch of his Cal career after scoring 23 points in last Friday's game against the Lancers.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION: 
Cal's game against Duke in the Empire Classic airs live on ESPN2, with commentary from Jon Sciambi and Dan Dakich. Watch live on television or via watchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. Rich Cellini and Todd McKim will deliver play-by-play and analysis for the California Golden Bears Sports Network on KGO 810 AM and via TuneIn. Live stats, broadcast info and links and more for each of Cal's games this season can be accessed via the Cal men's basketball schedule page on CalBears.com. Fans can follow the Bears on social media via @CalMBball on Twitter and Instagram, and at Facebook.com/CalMBball.
 

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BY THE NUMBERS

2013-14 -- With a win over Duke, Cal would begin the season 5-0 for the first time since 2013-14 -- the same season Cal last upset the top-ranked team (Arizona).

45.5 -- The Golden Bears are shooting 45.5 percent (30-66) from 3-point range -- a mark that ranks fourth in the country. Matt Bradley leads the Bears with 11 3-pointers made.

21 -- Despite shooting 38.6 percent against Prairie View A&M, Cal ranks 21st nationally for field goal percentage. The Bears owned a 55.1 field goal shooting percentage prior to Monday's game against the Panthers.

18.0 -- Grant Anticevich is averaging 18.0 points per game in the last two contests after scoring a career-high 23 points against CBU and added another 13 points against Prairie View A&M.
 

SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS

• Series Record: Cal leads, 2-1
• Last Meeting: Cal last met Duke on March 21, 2010 in NCAA Tournament action in Jacksonville, Fla. The Blue Devils topped the Bears, 68-53, to advance and ultimately win the national championship.
• Duke's 2019-20 Record: 4-0
• Duke's Last Game: The Blue Devils led by only 2 points at halftime, but outscored Georgia State 38-29 in the second half to secure a 74-63 win. Tre Jones led the effort with 31 points, and Vernon Carey Jr. added 20 points and 14 rebounds.
• Four players are averaging double-digit totals -- Jones (17.0 ppg), Carey Jr. (14.8), Cassius Stanley (13.0) and Matthew Hurt (10.8).
• Jones is averaging a team-high 5.8 assists per game.
• Carey Jr. leads the Blue Devils with 8.3 rebounds per game, with two double-doubles this season.
• Duke ranks in the top 20 nationally for: steals (10th, 47), steals per game (13th, 11.8), turnovers forced (15th, 21.00), offensive rebounds per game (16th, 15.25), scoring margin (18th, 24.5), and turnover margin (19th, 7.5).
• Aside from a pair of NCAA postseason meetings with the Blue Devils (2010, 1993), Cal has faced Duke just one other time. The Bears opened their season against Duke on Dec. 4, 1982 at the Oakland Coliseum, earning a 76-71 victory under head coach Dick Kuchen.
 

LAST TIME OUT

The Result: Cal held on for a 54-50 win over Prairie View A&M, improving to 4-0 for the first time since 2015-16.
• Matt Bradley led Cal in scoring for the third game this season, scoring 16 points.
• Grant Anticevich tallied his second consecutive double-figuring outing, scoring 13 points and added a team-high 6 rebounds.
• Kuany Kuany made his Cal debut coming off a leag injury, scoring 2 points in 3 minutes of play.
• Cal held an opponent to its fewest points since a 68-43 win at Arizona State on February 8, 2017.
 

NEXT UP

Cal will face either Texas or Georgetown in the Bears' final game of the Empire Classic. The tournament's consolation game is set for 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET on Friday, while the championship game tips off at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET.