And it's not even like your conference was that bad. You guys were 11th, right behind the PAC-10, and sent three to the NT (including two in the S16).
By comparison, UNC is still sitting at an A after a 12-16 season and 6-21 the season before.
I understand that ACC is really strong, but the biggest factor has to be what your team is doing on the court -- the conference should just be a mitigating factor.