I don't want to detract from the OP or be one to change the direction of the thread. That's on you now.
I ask Medic for forgiveness as I can give you a few reasons.
Mostly it is a numbers game overall ($$$$). UConn has to pay to use The Dog House and for a pretty much useless practice that brings in no revenue what is the return? Attendance has always been very light to say the least at spring games but the crowds at some of our real games the last few years have not been much better.
Just how many do you think would attend? This is not an attack just reasoning. Again back to numbers, how deep is the team right now to actually put together a practice game that would look like competition?
The old spring game date was always conflicting with a half dozen other spring activities. Opening day of fishing season and spring ball for the kids starting up for a couple.
I asked Randy the question at the signing event and he gave me a good explanation of the new recruiting windows and schedule. What he said made sense for our present situation. This also gives the team and the staff a few more days of practice as the spring game counts as one. A day or two for prep and the game itself takes time away from what they are trying to get done.
Personally I have attended these but my crew not so much, I get the reply "see you at the first game." I'll miss it but actually had a better time at the event they had at the Shenkman Training Center last year. That was one of the perks for buying season tickets early, hoping they throw us dogs that bone again this year!