J.P. Macura has never shied away from pressure moments on a basketball court.
As a Lakeville North senior two years ago, Macura made a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer in the state semifinals and then scored 43 points in the Class 4A championship in a victory against Hopkins.
So it came as no surprise to see Macura lead Xavier with 19 points Wednesday night in a 90-83 upset of No. 1 Villanova.
"I really try and have extreme confidence in big games because if you lack confidence at the big stage you're going to really struggle," Macura said by phone from Cincinnati on Thursday. "It's important for me and my team to have confidence in that game because it carries over."
Xavier is now 25-3 and ranked No. 5 in the country.
Macura, a sophomore guard, comes off the bench and averages 9.8 points and 2.6 rebounds.
He's elevated his play of late, scoring in double figures in seven of the past nine games. He scored a career-high 20 points against Marquette during this stretch and contributed 19 points against top-ranked Villanova.
"He played absolutely fearless," Xavier coach Chris Mack said. "I've said this from the time he's stepped on the court at Xavier, he's never afraid of the big moment. He almost needs to be at times because he can get a little loose. …
"I've talked to him, with two or three minutes [left] and you're milking a nine- or 10-point lead, we don't need an up-and-under reverse layup in traffic with 25 seconds left on the shot clock. …
"I wouldn't trade him for anybody. He's fearless. The moment is never too big for him. His growth as a sophomore has been tremendous."
Asked about his lack of nerves in those tense situations, Macura said: "I think it just comes from the passion I have for the game. I just don't want to lose."
Macura averages 22.6 minutes off the bench and is fifth on the team in scoring. He's shooting 82.2 percent from the free-throw line.
"I'm just trying to let the game come to me and not trying to force and take bad shots," he said. "I think my teammates do a great job of getting into the lane and creating shots for other players. We're playing really well together right now."
