Thanks to the Hopkins brothers

[Hoofprint]

Bryan's the star, Ryan's the quiet substitute who gets little playing time. Doesn't matter -- I'm a fan of both. Hope they get to close out their home careers with a win tonight!

[BringBackThePonies03]

They have kept the spirits of the SMU basketball program up, B-HOP good luck in your NBA endeavors, Ryan good luck in whatever you do, this season isn't over yet, we can still make a run in the C-USA tournament and go to the NCAA's, let's shock the world and do it!

[mavsrage311]

tonight was a little sad for me...I came to SMU knowing I'd watch SMU's best recruit ever for 4 years, and although we didn't win as much as I expected us to win at some point in his 4 years, I'm extremely thankful that B-Hop chose SMU and that I got to watch him for 4 years...I wish him the best and hope he fulfills his dream of playing in the NBA, I've got faith in him, he might have to start out in the NBDL but he's talented and I honestly believe he'll make it, and Ryan is just a great kid, I wish him the best as well

[MFFL02]

mavsrage311
PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:46 pm Post subject: ...
tonight was a little sad for me...I came to SMU knowing I'd watch SMU's best recruit ever for 4 years, and although we didn't win as much as I expected us to win at some point in his 4 years, I'm extremely thankful that B-Hop chose SMU and that I got to watch him for 4 years...I wish him the best and hope he fulfills his dream of playing in the NBA, I've got faith in him, he might have to start out in the NBDL but he's talented and I honestly believe he'll make it, and Ryan is just a great kid, I wish him the best as well

I agree...that was very moving Mavsrage311[code][/code]

[DallasDiehard]

Bryan has been a little enigmatic for the last four years. At times, he appears unstoppable, and at times he has left us wanting more. What can't be disputed is that he has been a prolific scorer and frequently a very good defender. When he's shooting well, he can be unstoppable. But when he's off, he can be way off. My impression and memory of #11 will be of a guy who played very hard -- often with a smile on his face -- and helped us win a lot more games than we would have won without him.

Thanks for everything, Hop. Hope the head feels better and shoot the lights out in the C-USA tournament!

[SoCal_Pony]

My memories of BHop will not be as rosy as those above.

When he signed, he was arguably the biggest commitment SMU had received in some 20 years of athletics, so my expectations were really up, especially during his freshmen year when he was teamed with Q. I was expecting runs at conference titles, some post-season play (NIT at a minimum) and recruiting momentum from his signing; instead I was given nada.

During his tenure, SMU had its worst 4-year run in recent history, if not the entire history of SMU basketball. The RPI numbers Stallion provided validate this claim.

Not blaming BHop per se, merely stating facts. In conclusion, a major disappointment....and I suspect BHop feels the same way.

[Corso]

What would our record have been if he'd gone elsewhere?
Hop has been a terrific player. Wish we'd had better talent around him, and won more games during his tenure, and I wish he'd been healthy for four years.

[abezontar]

I have to agree with So Cal, compared to the hype surrounding his signing he has been a huge disappointment, while that may not necessarily have been his fault, it is the reality and part of me wishes he hadn't wasted his talent on us.

[Pony4Life]

I'll take that talent any day. I just wish he had more of a surrounding cast, including someone to push him for his job in practice, to put a little pressure on him. And having seen him as a HS senior, I wonder what kind of numbers he would have put up if he'd ever been healthy for a full season.