SLIPPERY ROCK — Out with the old, in with the new — sort of.

Eighth-year Slippery Rock University men's basketball coach Kevin Reynolds habitually brings in transfer students and overhauls his roster from year to year. That system has worked to the tune of five 20-win seasons in the past seven campaigns.

“Based on our finances, we do what we need to do to maintain a competitive program,” Reynolds said. “But this year, we bring back a few starters.”

Half of SRU's 16-player roster is back from last year's 21-11 team, including four at least part-time starters.

The Rock begins the season at 8 p.m. Friday, taking on Virginia State at the CIAA Challenge in Petersburg, Va.

Senior guard Malcolm Richardson came on strong down the stretch last year, averaging 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in the final nine games, all starts. Senior center Cornelius Brown (8.1 ppg., 6.5 rpg.), senior guard Jamal Gatali (3.9 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) and junior forward Chaquille Pratt (6.1 ppg., 5.5 rpg.) all started a year ago.

Maxx Rynd, a junior guard, missed all of last season with a knee injury after starting 12 games in 2013-14. He returns as well.

“We don't recruit players to a system here,” Reynolds said. “We recruit players and structure a system to fit their talents. But that takes time.

“We always need a few games to develop chemistry and continuity.”

Also returning from last year are senior guard John Johnson, senior forwards Jordan Grady and Erik Raleigh.

Among this year's newcomers are 6-foot-8 junior forward Debonair Edwards from Southeastern (Iowa) and junior guard Dalton Cesarz, a transfer from St. Francis (Pa.).

Reynolds said four PSAC West teams — Indiana, Gannon, Mercyhurst and Seton Hill — went on foreign tours this preseason and have already played games.

“Those teams have a tremendous advantage in terms of practice and game time,” Reynolds pointed out. “We're way behind in that regard.”

The Rock is picked fifth in the PSAC West preseason coaches poll, behind Mercyhurst, Indiana, Edinboro and Gannon, California, Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill are picked to finish sixth through ninth.

“The West is going to be tough again,” Reynolds said. “Our pillars of success in four of the past five years have been rebounding, guarding the 2s and guarding the 3s.

“We were among the best in the country in those areas and we need to be that way again.”

The Rock led the PSAC in rebounding margin last season at plus 11.5. It was second in field goal percentage allowed at 39.9 percent.

SRU opens its home schedule Nov. 21 against Mansfield.