If your goal is a #1 seed than play as many cupcakes as possible in non conference.
Why not? The #1 seed is usually the easiest road and the games are usually at home. It doesnt guarantee anything but just makes the road to get as far as you can get a little easier.
THe goal should always be to get as many home games as possible in the playoffs. Teams are seeded by their win loss records both inside and OUTSIDE of conference play. The best teams will advance to their limit, no matter WHO they have played in the regular season, and playing "tougher" schedules does not necessarily make you better, but it usually guarantees you wont have any/many home playoff games unless you were good enough to begin with.