In basketball, Hopkins played power forward, and was in the same lineup as future Iowa shot-blocker and NBA first-round draft pick Acie Earl.

George guided the Illini to the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers after a 9–2 record, second only to the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Conference.

His senior year, Hopkins was selected team captain by first-year coach Lou Tepper, along with John Wright and Steven Mueller.

Hopkins was part of an offensive line that allowed the third-lowest number of sacks in the NFL, and George gained over 1,500 yards rushing.

That season, the Titans finished with a 13–3 record, winning the AFC Central Division, but lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.

The Titans were propelled by a high-powered offense with Steve McNair and Eddie George, which scored 30 points in six consecutive games – a franchise record.