Separated by just three miles, Cincinnati and Xavier have perhaps the most underrated college basketball rivalry going. Six technical fouls were issued in the 2008 version of the Crosstown Rivalry, and the 2011 contest was marred by a brawl that resulted in the game being called with about 10 seconds left:
(Thank you to this fan for providing an appropriate soundtrack to this clip.)
This one's for you, @CoachCroninUC (and, OK, @JPMacura).#XUvsUC #CrosstownShootout #LetsGoX #XavierNation pic.twitter.com/Nt9wbSRt2K
— John P. Glynn (@JohnPGlynn) December 2, 2017
Cronin didn’t hide his distaste for Macura in his postgame comments:
Mick Cronin on JP Macura: "I've never had a kid tell me to 'F off' three times in a game."
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 2, 2017
"He wouldn't play for me." @FOX19 #Xavier #Bearcats
Xavier Coach Chris Mack stuck up for his player:
Chris Mack: "JP Macura is my guy. He's a warrior." @FOX19 #Xavier
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 2, 2017
Said Mick Cronin was disrespectful
Also, party at Mack’s house tonight, I guess:
How will you celebrate?
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 2, 2017
Mack: "For a loooong time. Great thing about noon games." @FOX19 #Xavier
Raw video of what Mick Cronin and Chris Mack said about JP Macura postgame: @fox19 #Xavier #Bearcats #CrosstownShootout pic.twitter.com/CUBwgxUu8F
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 2, 2017
Macura, who was one of the players to receive a technical, has had his off- and on-court issues. In 2016, he pleaded guilty in Hamilton County Municipal Court to charges of obstructing official business and disorderly conduct. The former charge was the result of the then-underage Macura having a fake ID at a Cincinnati bar. He earned the latter for pulling down his pants in said bar.
After getting razzed by Wisconsin fans throughout Xavier’s win in Madison earlier this month, Macura did a full-on Gator Chomp as he was subbed out of the game, reminding everyone that Florida ousted the Badgers from last year’s NCAA tournament on an overtime buzzer-beater.
JP Macura gives Badger fans the... Gator Chomp? (r @HeHateMN @N0ELTHOMPSON) pic.twitter.com/N5qU1wymOB
— Internet #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) November 17, 2017
Macura subtly made note of Xavier’s victory on Twitter after Saturday’s game.
Crosstown Shootout✅😏
— JP Macura (@jpmacura) December 2, 2017
To which someone, presumably a Cincinnati fan, affixed the following:
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