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SEN - Their down-time looks to have really helped them mentally which I personally think was their biggest flaw in Split 1. Split 1 SEN would've lost the Sunset map against NRG. While they did make some mistakes, I think this is the weakest we'll see SEN. While you could argue that NRG is a newer team, that core is not new and I think SEN is on a good path right now.
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G2 - I am a casual G2 hater but I have to give respect where it's due. They performed very well in Shanghai and exceeded expectations. They beat TH twice and lost the third time to a red-hot Wo0t which is not something to be ashamed about. The core itself has been together forever, and I think if Icy can hold the Shanghai form and even improve on it, they will be just fine.
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100T - Yes they lost to Furia which was a baaaaad loss. They gave SEN some breathing room in terms of Champs points which might come around to bite them but I believe they're still a great team that can lock it back in. After the amount of shit Boostio receives this week, I think he'll really reel the team in for the remainder of the split.
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LEV - Their Shanghai performance was less than optimal and they looked a little lost but they looked good in the regular season. The reason I have them above KRU or C9 is because they played against better teams and didn't have the stat pads of Furia and MIBR (and even early EG). The team looks to be turning up. The MIBR showing was good, Aspas wasn't showing up too much but Tex and King really stepped up. If they can relieve some of that pressure off Aspas, they can climb above some of the teams ahead of them on this list.
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KRU - While they bombed out of playoffs, their regular season looked very very strong. They did play easier competition against MIBR, Furia, Early EG, and an out-of-form LOUD, but most of the wins were stomps for the most part and they look to be locked in. They beat a 100T that was reaching their form and if they can get over their playoff curse, they can go on another LCQ type run in Champs.
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NRG - I love Puj and Sam but I'm not really sure how much we can expect from them in the upcoming split. Attack side on Sunset was an absolute masterclass but I fear that Victor and Crashies might just not have it anymore. This roster really isn't that different from last year's and some might even say it's a downgrade. I still think it's a very solid above average team that could go on a run if S0m and Victor start heating up.
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EG - I've said it since the end of the Split 1 but this team is really starting to turn up. Jawgemo in my opinion is the best entry duelist in the league right now and can create space like others can't. With the outing against LOUD, my opinion is even stronger and I am confident that EG will have a great Split 2. The reason why I have them so low is because of the start of their Split 1. I think a lot of teams put them in the bracket of Furia and MIBR and got caught off guard with their improvements. I think with Split 2, they will be looked at as more of a threat and have tougher matches.
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LOUD - I know, it sucks to put LOUD this low but I really am doubtful of the team right now. They are severely lacking a duelist and while having Pancada back will help the team cohesion, it is a duelist meta right now and I don't think Saadhak can play at that level. Look at the best teams in the world at this moment. Gen G has Texture, TH has wo0t/miniboo, SEN has zekken, LEV has aspas etc. The only team that breaks that mold is G2 but they have the results to show. LOUD is not a bad team by any means and I will never doubt Saadhak's IGLing but I think their team woes will not go away in Split 2.
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C9 - I do not think C9 has what it takes to finish out the season. They have a really really bright future ahead with Oxy. He's the kind of guy to build around and it looks to me that he's confident doing it too at such a young age. I think the IGLing is kind of sus and their support cast can lack so I'm not convinced of their 5-1 record. I would not be surprised if they lost out the remainder of the season.
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Furia - Furia looked solid with the addition of Xand and were able to pull off a David and Goliath type performance against 100T. This is only one game and I will have to see more before moving this team up in the rankings.
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MIBR - They are fucked.
TL;DR -
- SEN
- G2
- 100T
- LEV
- KRU
- NRG
- EG
- LOUD
- C9
- Furia
- MIBR