DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says avoiding back-to-back losses is a hallmark of a championship team. The Hawkeyes will try to sidestep a potential losing streak Saturday against a Northwestern team on a bit of a roll. No. 10 Iowa (15-4, 4-2 Big Ten) heads back out on the road to face a Wildcats team it pounded 95-67 in Iowa City on Jan.9.

Northwestern (10-10, 3-4) has won three of four since then, while the Hawkeyes are coming off an eight-point loss at 21st-ranked Michigan.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State guard Bubu Palo remains eligible to play for the Cyclones after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in his favor Friday. The state’s highest court denied a request by the Iowa Board of Regents for an immediate stay of a judge’s ruling last week that allowed Palo to return to the team.

Palo was suspended in 2012 after being charged with second-degree sexual assault. The charge was dropped a year ago, and the university’s Office of Judicial Affairs cleared Palo to return to the team. But Palo was found to have violated Iowa State’s student code of conduct by president Steven Leath and kicked off the team on Aug. 30.

Palo is listed on the roster for Saturday’s home game against Kansas State.

Brett Nanninga, superintendent of schools at Tri-Center, Neola since 1998, has accepted the position of Associate Director at the Iowa High School Athletic Association. He will join the IHSAA staff effective July 1.

Mr. Nanninga brings 31 years of educational experience to the position. He received his Bachelor Degrees in Business Education and Business Administration from Peru State College in 1983 and completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and his Specialist Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1988 and 2002 respectively.

He started his educational career with five years as a teacher and coach in Nebraska serving at Trenton High School and Arlington High School. In the fall of 1988 he became the Principal at Tri-Center High School in Neola and in July of 1998 was chosen as the Superintendent of Schools for the that district.

Active in and honored for his work in state and national organizations for administrators, he also is a member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Iowa Association of School Boards and the National School Board Association. He has spoken at Iowa and national meetings in education, financial leadership, and at technology summits. As a conference leader he was instrumental in expanding the number of schools in strengthening the Western Iowa Conference. He has been active in community projects throughout the Tri-Center District. He served two five year terms on the IHSAA Board of Control and twice was the chairperson of that group while also being a member of joint committees with the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union, and the Executive Committee of the Iowa Hall of Pride. He will be a 2014 Bernie Saggau Award of Merit recipient at this year’s State Basketball Tournament.

At Tri-Center he has overseen numerous facility projects that have expanded campus-wide technology, the development and renovation of physical facilities that has enhance student learning, and has been active in community projects and clubs within the Tri-Center district. He is well known for being a strong advocate for the education and activities of students under his charge.

“We know Mr. Nanninga will be a great fit in our administrative team,” said IHSAA Executive Director Rick Wulkow. “He is a visionary leader and has a passion for educational based activities and brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, coach, official, principal and superintendent to this position.”

Nanninga is known for his strong communicative leadership. He engages people and dialogues and focuses on common sense when solutions are not always clear cut, while maintaining a clear emphasis on “what” is right as opposed to “who” is right.

He and his wife Sally of 32 years have three grown children – Matt, Amy and Laura, each active in high school activities, a college graduate and employed in a variety of occupations.

He proudly acknowledges that educational-based activities have always been a part of his life and lives of those in his family. “I consider being named to this position to be an honor and a privilege; and I can think of no greater way to influence the quality of the student and athlete experience in Iowa.”

“I am thankful for this opportunity to work with the outstanding folks at the IHSAA and to continue my service to the member schools and communities that make up our great state,” he added.

He added, “I appreciate the confidence that Mr. Wulkow and the Board of Control has placed in my skills and abilities and look forward to being an integral part of the IHSAA’s leadership and commitment to excellence.”