CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- The Missouri Valley Conference handed out individual men's basketball awards.
Marcus Domask heard his name called several times.
Domask was named MVC Freshman and newcomer of the year.
He's just the 8th player in league history to sweep both awards.
And the accolades don't stop there.
Domask is only the fourth MVC freshman since 1996 to earn a spot on the All-MVC First or Second Teams.
"It's a really good league and there's a lot of good players in it so to be put in an elite category at the top just means a lot and I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates and coaches for trusting me as a freshman, playing meaningful minutes in meaningful spots and they let me play my game and they didn't get frustrated when I made mistakes. They let me play through it and that is a reason why I had success," Domask said.
"As a basketball player he can pass, shoot and dribble. He can score multiple ways," SIU Men's Basketball Coach Bryan Mullins said. "In the post, off drives, off catch and shoot threes so that's allowed him to be successful against different types of teams, different types of defenses and obviously his maturity and work ethic has allowed him success as a freshman too."
Arch Madness starts Friday at 2:30 from St. Louis.
The Salukis take on Bradley.
If the Salukis want to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament they'll need to come up with 3 wins over 3 days.
Braves have had SIU's number this season. Sweeping the season series.
Bradley won the Missouri Valley Tournament last year.
It won't be easy, but the Salukis are excited to be playing in March.
"A lot of us are new so we've only heard about how good of a tournament it is, the fan support and all that. Coach has talked to us a lot about it. We are just excited to make some noise down there," Domask said.
"As a kid growing up, this is what you dream about," SIU grad transfer Barret Benson said. "Playing basketball, meaningful basketball in March so that is what everyone is focused on and really excited for it and I'm sure for the freshman it's exciting to have their first March and for the seniors and everyone in between it's go time."
