I think the biggest similarity between last year's team and this year's team is that neither can hold the jock of an actually good team, let alone a great team. This year's team was probably a little more consistent against the mediocre/bad teams, and definitely better on the road.
What I'm trying to say is, I think this team has NIT championship potential at the same calibur potential of making the round of 32 and then getting curb stomped.