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ST. LOUIS -- For the first time in his career, Barry Hinson is the Missouri Valley Conference's Coach of the Year.

SIU's men's basketball coach got 17 first-place votes, one less than second-place Gregg Marshall of Wichita State, and 13 second-place votes to win the award by three points in voting by league media, sports information directors and coaches. Media and SIDs could not vote for the teams they cover. Marshall, who had 81 points, had 10 second-place votes and matched Hinson's seven third-place votes.

Evansville's Marty Simmons was third with five first-place votes and 48 points.

A 13-year veteran of the MVC who coached nine seasons at Missouri State before coming to SIU in 2012, Hinson led one of the biggest comebacks in the country this season. One year after nearly setting the school record for losses at 12-21, SIU went 22-9 this season and finished tied for fourth place after getting picked ninth in the preseason poll.

The Salukis achieved their first winning season since 2008 and first 20-win campaign since 2006-07. Fifth-seeded SIU takes on fourth-seeded Northern Iowa (19-12, 11-7 MVC) at approximately 2:35 p.m. on Friday in the quarterfinals of the MVC tournament.