I think the most surprising and impressive part of how well the team is playing is that they are doing it without Pardon (starter), Falzon (6th man) and Ivanauskas (highest-rated freshman). In the past we'd be in serious trouble with even one significant contributor out (which unfortunately seems to happen every year). The fact we are succeeding without a definite starter in Pardon and another who started almost every game last year in Falzon is a great sign. Skelly and Taphorn have done a great job replacing those guys. If we can get Pardon back soon, that injury may have been a blessing in disguise by giving Skelly and Benson more minutes to prepare for Big 10 play.