This. The only way AAC gets respect is when UConn is on top as we are the one and only national brand in the league. UConn's OOC looked worse than it might have because OSU, Georgetown, Auburn and exCuse (relatively) had off years and dragged OOC down a bit. Adding in OK State and Oregon it was, on paper pretty decent with a B1G, NBE, SEC, ACC, PAC 12 and Big 12 team represented. We only beat one but that turns out to have been the win of the year for me - nose picker.
I really think UConn should play SU at The Garden every year. It's a built in national TV game that is a win/win/win for us, them and The Garden and we should play there every year. A program of our stature should be able to get home and homes with Puke or NC every year from ACC, KY (have to say Squid will schedule good teams usually) and a marquee B1G team such as MSU. AAC demands we raise our profile as high as possible and keep big time games on network TV on prime days. Then be sure to schedule at least 2 NBE games a year. I don't see any way around this because once we get in leaugue play we lose national interest in a hurry. My 2 cents.