Hopson Gets Support as Big Ten’s Top Player

As the youngest of five children, Dennis Hopson is used to getting what he wants. These days, he wants to be one of the best college basketball players in the nation.

“Basically, I’ve always gotten what I wanted because I was the baby of the family,” the 6-foot-5 Ohio State forward said. “My whole family spoils me. Even though I’m 21, they still do.”

One place where Hopson is not pampered is on the court. He is the nation’s second-leading scorer with an average of 29.5 points per game, and the top scorer in the Big Ten Conference.

Over the last eight games, the senior from Toledo has averaged 31.9 points per game. Hopson scored 36 points in an 80-76 upset of then No. 1 Iowa, 35 against No. 4 Purdue in a 75-73 loss and 21 against No. 14 Illinois in an 82-65 loss.

Even though he is not yet well-known nationally, he is a big man on opposing Big Ten campuses.

“I would put Dennis Hopson at the top, with a big gap between Dennis and the next player,” Michigan State Coach Jud Heathcote said. “You would give points to Steve Alford (Indiana), Gary Grant (Michigan), Troy Lewis (Purdue) and Kenny Norman (Illinois), but Hopson does it all--shooting, rebounding, playing inside and outside and playing defense.”

Iowa Coach Tom Davis agrees. “He’s terrific. He is special. When you look at Hopson, you’re looking at the best,” he said.

Asked how to defend against Hopson, Purdue’s Gene Keady said with a laugh, “Cautiously.”

Hopson’s coach, Gary Williams, in his first year at Ohio State, credits his team captain for the 13-8 Buckeyes’ surprising success.

“I didn’t know how good he was when I came here,” Williams said. “I thought he could score, but I didn’t know he could pass and rebound. He does everything a coach could ask.”

Hopson is shooting 52% from the field, 83% at the foul line and averaging 8.4 rebounds per game, despite playing outside at both ends of the court. He leads the Buckeyes in minutes, scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and six other categories.

“The difference between him and other big scorers is that he’s playing against the best teams in the country,” Williams said. “He’s amazing.”

Hopson came to Ohio State as an all-state player who considered defense as an interlude between jump shots.

“My first year, I was a role player,” Hopson said. “I accepted my role and played hard every chance I got. Basically, it was the same thing my sophomore year.

“I knew good things came to those who wait. Last year I got my chance and it was a thrill to win the National Invitation Tournament championship.”

But even on that team, Brad Sellers, now with the Chicago Bulls, was the star and Hopson was the supporting player.

“I talk to Brad often,” Hopson said. “He loves playing in the NBA. I think I’m going to get my chance.”

Even though he hasn’t received the recognition of such players as Kansas’ Danny Manning, Georgetown’s Reggie Williams, Alford or Norman, Hopson feels he deserves to be among the nation’s elitey.

“I feel I have the ability to play with any five people they pick (for All-America) in the country,” he said. “And I’ll play well.”