Erik Reynolds II is on pace to become Saint Joseph's all-time leading scorer and three-point shooter. (Photo: Saint Joseph's Athletics/Atlantic 10 Conference)
By AARON BRACY
December 20, 2024
PHILADELPHIA—Very early in the second half of Wednesday’s 84-57 home rout of American at Hagan Arena, a relaxed Erik Reynolds II joked with the referee about a foul call. It was more than just the easy demeanor that was back planted on Reynolds’ face on Wednesday. His shoulders appeared more relaxed, his head just a bit higher, and the confident swagger more apparent.
Quite simply, he looked more like Erik Reynolds II.
To say it has been a disappointing start to the season for Reynolds would be an understatement. The Hawks’ senior was a popular pick to be the Atlantic 10’s Player of the Year in the preseason after averaging 17.3 points and shooting 38 percent from three-point range as a junior.
This season, though, has been mostly a struggle for the talented guard out of Temple Hills, Maryland. Not far from the spot where he was playfully interacting with the referee on Wednesday, Reynolds slammed down his hand in frustration on the hard, wooden table on press row during a 73-67 home loss to Central Connecticut on November 8.
That defeat, coupled with home losses to Princeton and Charleston, severely hurt any chances of an NCAA at-large bid that was definitely on the table in the preseason with Reynolds back alongside reigning A-10 Rookie of the Year Xzayvier Brown, and potential NBA first-round pick Rasheer Fleming in addition to Rutgers transfer Derek Simpson and others.
Against Central Connecticut, Reynolds missed 10 of 11 three-point tries. He took it out on the table with such force that it’s a wonder that he didn’t break the wood or his hand. In fact, as his uncharacteristic performance from beyond the arc continued, I wondered if he might have hurt his hand that night but was informed that Reynolds was, indeed, healthy.
Against American, there were signs of the player who was so dominant at times last season, like in the second half at VCU, like in A-10 quarterfinals against Richmond, like in many other times last season and throughout his career on Hawk Hill. He entered making 17.1 percent (6 of 35) from long range in the five games before American but drained 3 of 7 from three-point range on his way to 23 points against the Eagles.
Afterward, I asked Reynolds about the state of his game and what he’s done to stem his struggles.
“I still have to come out with the same mindset and never shy away from any moments,” he told me. “I give a lot of credit to my teammates for that because they keep telling me, ‘Keep going, keep going, keep going.’ That keeps me out of whatever doubt creeps in my mind. Huge shoutout to my teammates for that.
“I just try to make the best play at the moment. As long as I get my guys going, I feel like that gets me going naturally. Try to let it come to me by playing through them.”
The Hawks (7-4) are going to need more of that type of performance against Viriginia Tech (5-6, 0-1 ACC) at noon on Saturday at the Palestra, especially if Brown (hamstring, day-to-day) sits out for his second straight contest. More than that, though, they will need Reynolds to be Reynolds to have any chance of finishing high in the A-10 standings and making a deep run in the conference tournament. Barring anything extraordinary, like running the table in the conference, the Hawks likely will need to win the conference tournament to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016.
“I give a lot of credit to my teammates for that because they keep telling me, ‘Keep going, keep going, keep going.’ That keeps me out of whatever doubt creeps in my mind.” — Erik Reynolds II
With Reynolds playing at a high level, they can do it. He is a player who cares deeply about the program’s success, to the point that he’s possibly been trying too hard and putting too much pressure on himself in the early going. After improving each season from the arc—33.6 percent as a freshman, 37.9 as a sophomore, and 38.0 last season—his shooting average from long range stands at just 26.7 percent entering Saturday. His scoring average of 15.3 points is more than four points less than as a sophomore (19.6) and two points fewer (17.3) than 2023-24.
Frankly, there has been a lot on the table for Reynolds this season. In addition to the team’s understandably high expectations—both inside and around the program—there are individual accolades within his reach. Both Langston Galloway’s school-leading mark of 343 three-pointers and Jameer Nelson’s scoring record of 2,094 points are well within reach. Reynolds needs to average 2.95 three-pointers and 15.5 points per contest over the final 20 regular-season games to tie those marks. Barring injury, it seems a given that he will pass both.
Those numbers are for people like those typing these words and people like those reading these words on which to focus. For Reynolds to get back to being Reynolds, he just needs to relax, put the NCAA tournament hopes, the school’s records, and his slow start completely out of mind. Easier said than done, of course.
Wednesday’s outing against American was a good start—and a good indication that he is doing just that. And if you see him smiling with a referee again on Saturday at the Palestra, it’s probably a good sign, for him and for the Hawks.
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Aaron Bracy has been covering Philadelphia sports since 1996. Follow Bracy on X: @Aaron_Bracy and like his Facebook and Instagram pages. His book on the 2003-04 Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball team is expected to be published on March 1, 2025. Read a summary and preorder it by clicking HERE. Contact him at aaron@big5hoops.com.