re: Is it really worth it for certain SEC schools to dish out for better BB coaches?

This is actually an interesting question.

Had I not seen what Billy Gillespie was able to accomplish almost immediately at A&M--a program that hasn't traditionally supported hoops--I'd answer "no."

But I've learned that basketball--probably moreso than any other sport--is a sport that can turn things around quickly; and it doesn't take many folks to fill the venues.
Success begets success ... and *poof* ... all of a sudden, it's the big ticket in town.
Plus, it's a relatively simple port for a spectator to follow.
You can get a bunch of people in an arena who've never before seen a hoops game, and by the end, they're fans.

It all starts with the coach.
And WINNING.
And marketing.