Without football all these schools are at a huge disadvantage. There is no real business model as far as revenue, audience expansion, conference negotiating power, TV contracts, overall athletic budget, etc. All the things that are happening, including conference realignment is driven primarily by football and football/basketball synergies. There is no coincidence of the demise of Depaul, St. John's, Georgetown, etc. They may have the occasional good season, like many other schools including mid-majors will have, but the outlook given current dynamics is definitely bleak.
You can see in their efforts to attract coaches, recently with Georgetown, previously with DePaul and St. John's. It is getting harder and harder to attract coaches, for what it used to be very attractive jobs. They can't compete with for the coaches in high demand.
Also, the statement that "splitting away from the football schools was a very smart move" is incorrect. That is not what happened. It was the strong football/basketball school's that broke away for more lucrative opportunities, leaving the basketball only schools with no choice other than to bundle together as opposed to partnering with mid and low majors. The leaving of the strong football/basketball schools left them in no man's land.
