 In 1982–83, Hoppen's freshman season, the Cornhuskers went 22–10 and won three games in the NIT before losing to DePaul in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden.The Cornhuskers returned to the NIT each of the next two seasons, advancing to the second round both times.Hoppen's college career was ended by a knee injury he sustained against Colorado on February 1, 1986.