We continue our recruit and return series with the Pittsburgh Panthers, whose season ended Friday with a loss to Wisconsin in the first round. A look at what the 2016-17 season could hold:

Possible 2016-17 starting five (statistics reflect regular-season average)

G: Damon Wilson (3.4 PPG, 1.5 APG)

G: Chris Jones (6.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG)

F: Jamel Artis (14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG)

F: Sheldon Jeter (8.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG)

F: Michael Young (16.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG)

Who is lost: The most notable departure is point guard James Robinson, who dished out more than 600 assists in his four-year Panthers career and became a double-digit scorer (10.3 PPG) as a senior. The other losses were all role players, including Coppin State transfer Sterling Smith (4.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG), Brown transfer Rafael Maia (2.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG) and Richmond transfer Alonzo Nelson-Ododa (1.4 PPG, 1.6 RPG).

Who is added: The Panthers’ three-man recruiting class is headlined by Justice Kithcart, a four-star point guard who could push Damon Wilson for duties at the point. Three-star center Corey Manigault, a 6-8, 225-pound project, will likely play a bigger role after Pittsburgh’s large senior class moves on. Junior college shooter Crisshawn Clark figures to come off the bench. Another JC player, big man Rozelle Nix, redshirted in 2015-16.

What it means for next season: Provided Michael Young and Jamel Artis stick around following breakout seasons, the Panthers have a chance to possess what has become an increasing rarity at the highest level of college basketball -- four senior starters. And the fifth figures to be Damon Wilson, a former ESPN 100 player who showed flashes early in his freshman season of 2015-16 but saw his role decreased late in the year. Given the number of returnees, the youngsters figure to be brought along somewhat slowly.

Trending: Up. Pitt started the 2015-16 season at 14-1, including 3-0 in the ACC, before going 7-9 in its final 16 games entering the NCAA tournament. The culprit wasn’t exactly clear -- shaky play on the defensive end is probably a decent place to start -- but the Panthers should come back a year wiser. This group has already proven it has NCAA tournament talent, and now it must achieve better consistency. In the final chance for a big group of seniors to make an impression, look for Jamie Dixon’s squad to be a first-division ACC unit with a chance to make a run in March.