NEWARK, New Jersey — Something good was up with J.P. Macura and it was evident long before opening tip against Seton Hall.
Macura seemed more loose than usual, and his smile wider. He was joking around with teammates and media. Most notably, he was hitting shots from all over the court as he refined his stroke without caring for the No. 19-ranked Pirates and a student section eager to rip him apart on the other side of the Prudential Center.
Macura's smile only grew wider as Saturday's game wore went on.
Macura had one of the best games of his Xavier career and helped the No.