It wasn't the AAC. It was the LOSING. Everything was fine when we womn a NC and had a top 5 recruiting class class in the AAC. If we start losing now, the same thing will happen.
Answer this question, why couldn't we compete in the AAC while Houston and others were going deep in tourney including final fours? Don't say recruint Ollie had a top five recruiting class in the AAC. Why couldn't we compete in the AAC.
Easy...
1. We didn't have ANY rivalries. Playing Tulsa, Tulane, ECU, SMU, etc... That is/was normal for Houston.
2. Houston, Memphis, UCF, SMU etc... All improved there situations with the AAC, where as ours got worse.
3. Ollie could recruit, he couldn't coach. Sure he "won" a title in 14. Just like Tubby Smith won a title in 96.
4. Regionally we 100% didn't belong.
5. Recruiting was taking a hit. It was dwindling. Very easy to see if you actually look.
6. There was no excitement from the fans. Not just because of losing or having mediocre seasons. We have had double digit loss seasons and still packed the house. It was the competition. Again, no rivalries, no excitement, everything was trending down.
7. Perception was big. We were playing in a conference where getting 2 in was great. In the Big East we get more and the perception is better.
When we initially built it St. Johns, Providence, Marquette, Depaul, Georgetown, Seton Hall, and Villanova were supposed to be there. We were going to keep the Big East name. We were still going to have the conference tournament in MSG. When they split and took the Big East name with them we were left with nothing but C-USA promotions. Rutgers went to the B1G. Louisville went to the ACC. When we lost our rivalries, a lot of our recruiting footprint, we lost our identity.
In regards to womens hoops vs mens it is a completely different story. Even until about 6-7 years ago there were only a handful of programs who could actually compete for a women's title consistently. If you wanted to win, you went to one of those schools. We also had the top coach.
We're getting more recruits from the NE. We've gotten out identity back. We're doing well. Also yes, we have to give Coach Hurley his due. He has turned us around!
Year One: 16-17
Year Two: 19-12
Year Three: (First year in Big East) 15-8 (NCAA Tournament)
Year Four: 23-10 (NCAA Tournament)
Year Five: So far 29-8 (Final Four and still playing)
In my opinion, had we joined the Big East and split with the others then. We wouldn't have ever been in as bad of a position as we were. We 100% didn't belong in a conference with Midwest and lower rung southern teams. At least not without the seven other programs mentioned. Xavier, Creighton, and Butler are all improvements over what we were dealing with the AAC as well.
Regarding Houston- They have always had the potential. They were dog crap for 30 years until they hired Sampson. The difference between them and us is that they were still playing the same teams they had been playing since their C-USA days and like I said, they improved their situation with the AAC in general. Big difference in situations.