 As a freshman, Hoffarber was one of the top shooters in the Big Ten Conference in 3-point percentage and is one of the top three-point shooters in the nation.On March 14, 2008, in the Big Ten Tournament, Hoffarber made a game-winning jump shot as time expired against Indiana University, which attracted nationwide attention  and has been compared to the famous Christian Laettner shot against Kentucky in the 1992 NCAA tournament.On July 1, 2008, ESPN announced that Hoffarber's miraculous shot against Indiana was nominated for an ESPY for the Best Play of the Year, Hoffarber's second such nomination.