If you want a metaphor for Mike Hopkins’ basketball life, Allen Griffin has what he feels is a perfect one for the new Husky men’s coach.
Griffin became a standout four-year point guard for Syracuse from 1998-2001, but early in his career, he readily admits he was a bad shooter. Hopkins was the assistant coach who throughout his 22-year tenure with the Orange would work after practice with any player who was willing to put in the extra time. That’s how Hopkins, described affectionately by his high-school coach as a “skinny runt,’’ forged his own unlikely career at Syracuse, so he was more than willing to pay it forward.