There is no comparison. I don't remember watching the VCU/Akron game, considering it was a 1st rond game and there was probably a better/closer game on a different channel. I was surprised how much of the mens tournament I did watch, considering the UConn ban. I watched about 30 minutes of total game time of the Womens tournament (the final 10 vs ND, and the final half vs Louisville).
Concerning the passage that I bolded, Wichita State made the Final 4 as a 9 seed. A Butler/VCU Semi final and Butler in the NC gme clearly the exception, not the rule. I've pointed out at least a handful of times on other boards that a program from a conference that does not support FBS football, has not won the Tournament - on either side, incidently - since 1985 ('Nova and Old Dominion). A school without FBS football has not won on the men's side since 1999 (UConn). What's the connection? Resources. year in and year out, the football conferences are in abetter position to support their marginal-revenue and non-revenue generating sports.