The Northwestern Wildcats kicked off their Big Ten tournament journey with a solid 72-64 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. However, the post-game spotlight shifted from the court to the hotel as head coach Chris Collins voiced his frustrations over the sweltering conditions the team endured.

Unbearable Heat in Hotel Rooms

Collins didn't mince words when describing the situation. "The rooms were 1,000 degrees," he said, highlighting the extreme discomfort the team faced. The Wildcats are staying at the Sheraton Hotel, a venue assigned by the Big Ten based on seeding. As a No. 13 seed, Northwestern's accommodations left much to be desired.

A History of Discontent

Collins, who led the Wildcats to a 16-12 regular season record, expressed his ongoing dissatisfaction with the league's treatment. "That's where the league puts you," he remarked. "Every way they turn, they're trying to get us." According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the hotel rooms never cooled below 85 degrees, a situation that persisted for ten days before the team's arrival.

Impact on Performance

Despite the adverse conditions, Northwestern managed to shoot 48.2 percent from the field in their win. Collins suggested that the heat might have contributed to their 'hot hands,' albeit in a less than ideal manner. "We're used to being treated like this by this league," he said. "They'll put us in one that's hotter if we leave it up to the league."

Looking Ahead

The Wildcats are set to face the No. 18 ranked Wisconsin Badgers in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. As they prepare for this crucial matchup, the team hopes for better conditions off the court to complement their performance on it.