The difference being that the 2017 team transformed into an NCAA caliber team, but couldn't overcome the poor start with the incredibly poor lineup featuring several guys playing out of position that we started with. And they still came within a game of being in the field, despite that poor finish.
Does this team look like an NCAA squad? Who have they beaten?
I haven't seen anybody [despite FrancoPizza's post above] indicate that they thought that the 2017 was "great." But they were dangerous, and could beat top 20 teams. I don't think that this team can.