Southern Illinois University head coach Barry Hinson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year at the Arch Madness pre-tournament luncheon on Thursday.
Hinson, a 13-year veteran of the Valley, coached nine seasons at Missouri State and is in his fourth year at SIU. He won the honor for the first time in his career.
Southern Illinois was picked to finish ninth in the conference in the preseason, but posted an 11-2 non-conference record and an 11-7 league mark to finish tied for fourth place with Northern Iowa in the regular season standings.
The 22 wins are the most since the 2007 Salukis won 29 games and advanced to the Sweet 16.