I would have to say a .500 record in the Pac-10 is different than a losing record in CUSA. The Pac-10 is a stronger hoops conference (UCLA, Washington, Arizona, Stanford, Cal to name a few off the top of my head) AND I am sure their out of conference schedule is not littered with the likes of Louisiana Monroe, Harvard, Savanah St., Texas St., Pan Am, etc etc. But sure, if you ignore those facts then I guess the picture you paint does look bleek.
Evans and Doherty would both be fantastic choices. I am anxious to see us land one of these guys (or Nolan, who I know ya'll think is a ridiculous suggestion).