There is one zero in the loss column for the Rutgers men's basketball team and a few more on a paycheck to make sure it happened that way.
Rutgers spent a total of $430,000, according to contracts obtained by NJ Advance Media through an Open Public Records Act request, on non-conference appearance fees to line up its first six wins against inferior competition.
As a result, Rutgers is undefeated -- and an unknown -- entering by far its biggest litmus test to date: A 7 p.m. matchup against Florida State tonight in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.