Four starters graduated from the California (Pa.) University men's basketball team, but the Vulcans are still expected to become four-time PSAC West regular season champions.

It's not who's gone, but who's coming that will keep California among the league's elite.

Drew Schifino, a senior guard, transferred to the school from West Virginia University, where he averaged 17.9 points through 11 games last season before leaving the Mountaineers.

Schifino was second in the Big East in scoring as a sophomore, netting 20.1 points per game, and had a streak of 48 consecutive games of double-digit scoring for West Virginia.

"I wanted to come back closer to home," Schifino said in explaining his choice of California.

Bill Brown is 175-60 in eight years as California coach. He also returns last year's PSAC Freshman of the Year in guard Sharif Bray (12.6 ppg.) and senior forward Sherman Brittingham (12.1 ppg.).

"Bray will be our captain and he'll lead us, but we've got some pieces to put together. Hopefully, the best is yet to come," Brown said.

Indiana (Pa.) returns four starters from the team that won the PSAC Tournament for the third time in five years. G.J. Macon, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, averaged 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season.

Junior guard Ed Peterson averaged 10.6 points and 2.45 steals per game. Senior forward Ayyub Ali (12.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg.) and 5-10 guard Brian Kizzie (10.4 ppg.) also return.

"Peterson hasn't practiced with us all preseason because of an injury, and that's a concern," IUP coach Gary Edwards said. "He has just now (Nov. 10) been cleared to return."

Edinboro returns three starters in 6-8 senior forward Jakim Donaldson (14.8 ppg., 11.5 rpg.), 6-3 senior guard Rob Sims (14.4 ppg.) and 5-10 junior guard Dan Grabill.

Donaldson also grabbed 11.5 rebounds per game a year ago, which was tops among returning PSAC players.

"Donaldson and Sims are back and they've played well in practice," Edinboro coach Greg Walcavich said. "Other guys are back and haven't played well in practice.

"I'm surprised we're picked as high as third (preseason poll). IUP has everyone back and Cal is loaded."

Clarion returns three starters - junior guard Terrance Vaughns (12.0), junior center Michael Clark (11.5) and senior forward Ryan Wells (11.4) - who averaged in double figures last year.

Wells averaged 8.6 rebounds per game as well.

"We're still undersized and we'll be relying heavily on our guards," Clarion assistant coach Al Modrejewski said. "Vaughns should be one of the best overall guards in the league."

Karns City graduate Patrick Craig, a 6-4 sophomore forward who made Clarion's roster as a walk-on, should see limited action. Craig averaged 25 points per game at Butler County Community College last year after netting 21 points and 11 rebounds his senior year at Karns City.

Shippensburg has three starters back, including sophomore guard Chuck Davis (15.9 ppg.). The Red Raiders' point guard, junior Marcus Hudson, returns as well.

"We're a little deeper this year and some guys have grown a little older," coach Dave Springer said. "I'm confident things will improve."

Springer is 27-53 in three years at Shippensburg.

Lock Haven is counting on leadership from returning senior starters Joe Walker and Eddie Christiano. Sophomore guard James Chappell averaged 11.7 points off the bench for the Bald Eagles.

"We need to improve our defensive field goal percentage and we finished last in the league in rebounding last year," Lock Haven coach John Wilson said. "Those are the two areas we've been working on the most."