Indiana State defeated Missouri State by a 60-56 final to win the 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Sycamores hadn't qualified for the NCAA Tournament since 2001.

Despite losing in the final, Missouri State' Jermaine Mallett was named Tournament MVP. Mallett lead all tournament participants in points, rebounds and FIC.

Aaron Carter and Jake Odum of Indiana State joined Mallet on the All-Tournament Team. Adam Leonard and Kyle Weems of Missouri State also made the All-Tournament Team.

• Click here to view RealGM’s comprehensive list of 2011 Conference Tournaments.

Sam Maniscalco has asked Bradley for his release in order to transfer to Illinois, according to two sources.

If Maniscalco receives his release, graduates as planned from Bradley in May and receives NCAA approval, the point guard would immediately become eligible to play for the 11-12 season.

Maniscalco is a sports communication major at Bradley, which does not offer a graduate program in communications. Illinois has grad programs in communication and communications and media.

Illinois has just one scholarship remaining for next season and has promised it to Peoria Notre Dame’s Max Bielfeldt. Michigan remains in consideration for Bielfeldt.

Illinois will have a need at point guard upon the departure of Demetri McCamey.

“Those schools — including Illinois — will have to recruit him,” Champaign News-Gazette sportswriter Paul Klee said. “I don’t expect he or his family wants to deal with any baloney in the next program. They are probably looking for a locker room that is focused on winning, without attitudinal baggage and with a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.”

Bradley has released Jim Les as their basketball coach after nine seasons.

Les went 154-140 overall and 74-88 in the Missouri Valley. The Braves were 12-20 overall and had a 4-14 record in conference play this season.

The high point came when Les led the Braves to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and to the NIT in 2007.

Les also starred as a player for Bradley before going onto an NBA career.

Kyle Weems of Missouri State has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award.

Doug McDermott of Creighton was named MVC Freshman of the Year and Kwadzo Ahelegbe of Northern Iowa was the Defensive Player of the Year.

Weems, McDermott and Ahelegbe were also All-Conference First Team selections. They were joined by Andrew Warren (Bradley) and J.T. Durley (Wichita State).

Voted to the second team were Will Creekmore and Jermaine Mallett (Missouri State), Toure' Murry (Wichita State), Colt Ryan (Evansville) and Antonie Young (Creighton).

• Click here for more information on Missouri Valley awards.

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