Is it coincidental the Rutgers player wearing No. 99 put his shoulder down and the thud from the hit almost silenced the crowd? Yes, there are four weeks left of the Rutgers football season, but this is about the other No. 99 — the basketball player who plays with finesse on the perimeter and like a linebacker on the blocks.
After growing up a Rutgers fan — even a Greg Schiano disciple — Zach Martini got the chance to suit up and start as a Scarlet Knight in a 75-52 win over Wagner on Wednesday at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Maybe it was a bit refreshing for coach Steven Pikiell that Martini’s first Rutgers moment was a foul for laying the boom on an illegal screen.