IF B-Hop had gone to Texas...

[MFFL02]

If Brian Hopkins had gone to Texas how much national recognition would he have gotten? Would he be a completely different player? Would he be an NBA Draft prospect?

[LA_Mustang]

It’s really impossible to guess if Bryan would have been better off at UT.....he definitely would have been surrounded by a better supporting cast. One thing is for sure, physically and athletically, Hop is not the same player he was in high school.

[Pony_Fan]

who cares...it didn't happen...did anyone see the Mavs pre-game ..someone said they were bashing Hopkins.

when do players announce NBA "coming out". when do you have to announce you have an agent?

Leonard Hopkins is declaring for draft - is he any good?

[OldPony]

Give it up. He is a good college player. No more. Maybe he was great in HS but he can't play with the top college guys. Still he is our best and I an glad he is here and hope he is smart enough to stay one more year and get a good college education. If he has a chance to be a pro, he will have to prove it next year at SMU. Right now-no hope.

[rich_alum]

what gets me is how this article says how much he has improved. He hasn't improved......he is more or less the same player he was as a freshman expect he shoots a little bit better now.

He is a good player, but he has no business trying to leave school early.....he wasn't even 1st team all WAC. He needs to stick around, get a degree, and improve his game. He would have a much better chance of getting drafted next year, but even that looks like a long shot now unless he becomes a better decision maker......both shot selection and taking care of the ball.

[SMUBball13]

Did anyone listen to the game on internet? Before the game and during halftime there was an interview with Coach Tubbs and he talked about the 2005-2006 team. Tubbs said that Bhop would be back next year, and there was no talk about him leaving and trying to make the NBA.

[rich_alum]

that would be great if he stayed and got his degree. College is fun, he should enjoy it and work on his game.

[Hoop Fan]

I think theres a better chance he stays than not. With his older brother now going pro, I would think Bryan would wait a year and finish up SMU with his twin brother. We'll see, but BHop could hugely benefit from Dez Willingham coming next year. Willingham will take some of the weight off of Hopkins and free him up to get some more open looks instead of having guys draped all over him from the second he crosses halfcourt. If we could find a big man who could patrol the lane and take care of post, Dez and Hop will get alot of steals on defense and create alot opportunities for themselves and the team.

[Charleston Pony]

If it's true that BHop is coming back, that's great news and if he and Roberts can get healthy, we should have a MUCH IMPROVED backcourt. With Pearson coming along nicely at the 3, it comes back to low post play and that, as always, will be the challenge. I'm sure coach Tubbs is out there scouting for an impact low post guy to take Brian Miller's ship next year. That's the key and everyone knows it.

[DallasDiehard]

The announcers talked as if it was a foregone conclusion that Hopkins would be back. If that does happen, we could have a VERY quick backcourt with two guys (three, if Roberts is on the floor) who can really handle the ball. A lineup that includes Hop, Willingham, Roberts, Pearson and .... whoever the fifth player is .... would be small, but might be pretty explosive with that speed, especially if those players work hard all offseason on their perimeter shots. Roberts, I think, could be special as he gets stronger, more experienced and starts to shoot better. Pearson seems on his way to being very good. If Hop comes back, we could have a decent group of players around whom Jimmy T can build.