PAUL DAUGHERTY

Xavier's J.P. Macura good at getting under opponent's skin

Paul Daugherty
pdaugherty@enquirer.com
Xavier's J.P. Macura scored his career high of 20 points against Marquette at the Cintas Center on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Xavier won 90-82.

There is something about J.P. Macura that forces you to remember him. If you’re on his team, the memories are pleasant. If you’re not, the memories are best suppressed.

Macura made a couple killer three-pointers in the last four minutes Saturday, back to back, as Xavier fought for its 5th-ranked life against Marquette. In between the bombs, Macura lost his man on defense, a lapse that cost his team three points and would have had Chris Mack pulling his hair out, if Mack had any. Both threes came with the game tied.

“I almost felt like he tied it on purpose defensively, so he could make another three,’’ Mack said, chuckling.

You could have picked any number of players to rave about after Xavier’s closer-than 90-82 win. Trevon Bluiett had an NBA line: 23 points, eight assists and zero turnovers in 28 minutes. Edmond Sumner added 20 points, 15 in the first 13 minutes. Of Sumner, Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski said, “(He’s) a problem. There’s not many 6-foot-6 point guards who are incredible athletes.’’

Myles Davis had six points at winnin’ time, in the last 1:09, plus six assists and only one turnover.      And he didn’t even start. And think about this: Xavier got 63 of its 90 points from a freshman and two sophomores.

There was no lack of players to praise. At Xavier this winter, that’s the point. Selfnessness is a strength.

But Macura, well, there’s something different about Macura.

He’s annoying. In a good way if you’re on his team. If not, he’s pretty much a gnat in your eye or a neighbor cranking Metallica at 3 a.m. Macura, the sophomore from Minnesota, is Dennis The Menace. He’s Eddie Haskell. (Old Guy reference, kids. Google it.) “That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing, Mrs. Cleaver.’’

As Mack noted, Macura has “got some extracurriculars we’ve got to get rid of.’’ At one point Saturday, one of the officials had to tell Macura to cool it, after J.P. punched the ball from a Marquette player’s hands, during a deadball situation.

“(The ref) just said, you can’t do that,’’ Macura explained. “I just said, all right.’’ When I suggested that wasn’t the first time he’d done something like that, nor would it be the last, Macura smiled slightly. “Yeah,’’ he said. “That’s true.’’

But to leave it at that would be selling him short. Macura is a smart, tough kid, with a nice shooting touch and an edge to his personality and his game. As Mack said, “He’s a guy that you hate when he’s on the other team and you love him when he’s on your own.’’

Macura was a pain in Marquette’s aspirations: 20 points, 7-for-8 from the field and those two dagger-ous threes. When I wondered if he were also in their heads, Macura said, “You probably should ask the other team about that. I just play my game. If they get angry, they get angry.’’

This entire team plays with passion for 40 minutes, almost every game, yet Macura’s energy is unique. “Fearless’’ is Mack’s description, “and that’s who he has been since we recruited him.’’

“I really don’t back down from loose balls,’’ said Macura.

Macura owns a scrape on his right elbow that looks old enough to be fossilized. A souvenir of his passion. The same chunk of skin has been removed so often, that part of Macura’s arm resembles the trunk of an old tree. He doesn’t know when the scrapes happen, or why exactly. Diving for loose balls, he supposes.

“If I play with energy, it helps everybody out,’’ Macura said. “We get the extra possession, we get loose balls. Cause turnovers.’’ He’s quick to note that he’s not alone in the effort category. He’s just different in how he goes about it.

The Musketeers won a March-like game in the dregs of February. They beat back a team with a freshman center, Henry Ellenson, who could play in the NBA yesterday. They overcame a 17-1 Marquette riptide in the first half. They were out-rebounded by eight.

Ultimately, Xavier won a terrific game because it has better players, with a better grip on how to be great when greatness is all that matters. The Musketeers outscored the Golden Eagles 12-5 in the last 2:15 of the game. It was the difference between a team that’s learning to win and a team that’s already passed the class.

It was also a victory that moved Steve Wojciechowski to say, “I’ve been on teams that have won multiple national championships. This Xavier team can do it.’’

We’ll see. Meantime, check out Eddie Haskell. He’s the one on the floor, with the scary elbow.