In the poll from another thread, I picked us to go to the NIT this year.
These guys are learning a totally new system and are not playing without having to think about it yet.
This team was picked to finish 12th for a reason as you say, but I expect us to finish 9th/10th this year, and be much better in February than they are now.
Completely reasonable. I think high end we get exactly where you said (low end, last). Definitely not pie in the sky.