UConn coach Kevin Ollie is all for it.

Boston College coach Steve Donahue wants to see it happen, too.

So now it's up to the respective athletic directors to get behind renewing the UConn-Boston College men's basketball rivalry.

The two teams meet for the first time since 2005 when they play in the 2K Sports Classic championship round Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Donahue, who's in his fourth season at Boston College, spoke about the rivalry during a conference call Tuesday morning.

"I would love to play the game," Donahue said. "I talked to Kevin about it. I'm probably not a real expert on the rivalry and things like that. I just know they're a good program and we're both from up in this area. I just think it makes sense that we play each other.

"I have great respect for what they've accomplished in basketball, really one of the great programs in the country over the last 15 years. I think the opportunity to play each other makes a whole lot of sense."

Donahue learned what the rivalry means from BC fans during the off-season. Fans are overwhelmingly in favor of the two New England schools playing again.

"In my six months on the road in-between seasons, visiting alums and going around and talking, it's obviously been something that really excites our fan base, there's no doubt.

"So that's where I think I've probably been educated more than anything else is just listening. Honestly, I think like any rivalry you're going to get some real passionate feelings about it. I think both sides would say we want to play each other. It makes a lot of sense. That's really the resounding opinion I get."

Boston College is off to a 1-3 start. No. 18 UConn is 4-0.