Scottie Reynolds' Firecracker College Career Ends With a Fizzle

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Scottie Reynolds tried to explain it. His decorated college career prematurely ended, Villanova's senior guard sat at his locker Saturday afternoon and shook his head when asked how a kid who'd spent four years as one of the most feared clutch shooters in America shot 4-for-26 in his two NCAA Tournament games as a senior.

"Probably just going way too fast," Reynolds said. "I think I was probably just out there going way too fast, going way too fast and not having my legs under me. And I haven't really done that the whole year. It sucks. It just sucks."

Reynolds finishes his college career 21 points shy of Kerry Kittles' school record of 2,243 points. He ranks third in Villanova history in steals and sixth in assists. He leaves behind a legacy that includes a 2009 Final Four appearance and 99 career victories in four years, and he hopes that's something that can last.

"Next year will define how well we did here," Reynolds said. "I'll be watching to see how this team plays next year."

He expects big things. Reynolds spoke Saturday afternoon about his memories of being a freshman, and of Mike Nardi constantly being in his ear, barking instructions, urging and encouraging improvement even as Reynolds was having unusual freshman success. As Reynolds spoke, he looked over at freshman guard Maalik Wayns, who'd have been this game's MVP if Villanova had found a way to win it, and said he wanted to do the same for Wayns as Nardi and the Wildcat upperclassmen did for him years ago.

"I'm going to be in his ear," Reynolds said. "And I'm sure, stuff I tell him, he's going to remember it."

They'll remember Reynolds for a long time at Villanova.

"This is a sad day for me, because this guy has been really the face of our program," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "He's impacted everybody on our team. I think Maalik Wayns is going to be a great player because of Scottie Reynolds. I think I'm a better coach because of Scottie Reynolds, and not just because of our record, but what I've learned about players and people. He cares about other people and he's got an incredible determination in everything he does. Incredible loyalty. He's everything you want your sons to be. Everything you want all your players to be."

But Reynolds is through now, and sooner than the second-seeded Wildcats expected to be through. But even in the wake of the disappointing loss to St. Mary's, Reynolds held his head up and spoke about the good times.

"I've got a lot of emotions right now," he said. "But we're just all going to sit down and look at our accomplishments. We set a lot of records, and a lot of positives came out of this year. We just fell apart at the end."

When asked what he'd like people to remember, Reynolds pointed out Thursday's near-loss to Robert Morris -- a game in which he shot 2-for-15 from the field but managed to score 20 points anyway by going 15-for-16 from the free-throw line.

"Found a way," Reynolds said. "I played with no fear. I wasn't afraid. And it wasn't always pretty, but when you have no fear, and you don't care what you look like, you're going to have days like that. But I always found a way. Found a way to get it done. Found a way to win. That's why this game sucks, because I couldn't do that."

Villanova fans are upset about that last part, but when they look back at Scottie Reynolds, they're going to remember all the times he did get it done. And there were certainly plenty of those.