This truly highlights the differences in what is going on here. I would consider a UConn AD that looks like Villanova's as a complete and utter fail. They don't have an FBS football team, an NCAA tournament caliber baseball team or soccer team. Track has always been good there. On the whole, it is what I would call "small time".
That is nothing like what I want UConn's AD to look like. It's settling for a tier 2 existence.
As for long term viability, once the NCAA loses in court again and schools start paying players, not just in football, but basketball and other sports, D1 athletics at these small schools are dead. They don't have the money and can't fund it. So no, I don't think the Big East will even be competing in basketball at the highest level in the future. Those that are willing to pay to stay at the top will separate from those that won't. And even if Villanova decides to play with the big boys in basketball (which is much easier than football), most of the Big East schools won't be able to. There is no future in joining the Big East.