EPTSame old, same old
by banjoetheredskin
All eyes were on the new and improved Sbenu-yoe alliance after they finished last round winless in matches. Coincidentally, their first match of Round 3 was a rematch of their Week 7 Battle for Last Place with Prime, but this time the result differed vastly. But if history can tell us anything, it's that beating Prime by any score actually says nothing about how good a team is, so we'll have to wait until Week for Sbenu-yoe to play one of the best teams. Only then can we truly decide if they are a contender for the playoffs.
Despite the face-lift Sbenu and several other teams received, only a few of the new players had the opportunity to put their skills on display. Prime had scheduled Chinese mercenary Jim to play in the fourth set, but unsurprisingly lost before then. RagnaroK was set to make his first appearance in a team league since GSTL, but CJ won 3-0 as well. Unlike Prime, though, CJ appear to really want RagnaroK to play, so he'll take the fourth spot again in Week 2, this time more likely to actually take the booth against a stronger opponent in SKT. Prime did, however, choose another Chinese player, MacSed, second for their match against KT in Week 2. DongRaeGu made his return to Proleague, now with Sbenu, with win over Creator. Bomber rejoined his old team with a new name, despite having already been partnered to play for them, and played for the first time since Round 1 with an essentially free win over BBoongBBoong.
Despite the interesting story lines behind them, most of the games in Week 1 were relatively uninteresting. The best games included a weird base trade between YoDa and MyuNgSiK and HerO toppling INnoVation with impressive ease. Maru continued his dominance in TvP with wins over Stats and then Zest in the ace set, herO beat BrAvO without ever scouting his hidden base, and Zest versus sOs was the type of PvP that featured 30+ phoenixes from both players and ended as soon as they took a big fight. Such bops and anti-climactic games, among others, have set our expectations pretty low for this round. Fortunately, a number of headline matches are lined up for Week 2, everything seems to indicate they'll be closer than this week.
+ Show Spoiler [Week 4 Lineups] +
2015 Proleague/Round 3/Round Robin
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/t21SI.png)
Monday, May 18 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/a/aa/Samsung_galaxy_std.png)
Samsung Galaxy KHAN vs MVP ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/e/ec/MVPlogo_std.png)
Solar < Deadwing LE > 
GuMiho
Reality < Echo LE > 
YongHwa
Dear < Expedition Lost > Losira
BrAvO < Coda LE > MarineKing
Ace:
Cactus Valley LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/tSDelDT.png)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/0/06/SKT1logo_std.png)
SK Telecom T1 vs CJ Entus ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/d/dd/CJEntuslogo_std.png)
Classic < Vaani Research Station > Bbyong
Dream < Cactus Valley LE > ByuL
Dark < Echo LE > herO
soO < Expedition Lost > RagnaroK
Ace:
Coda LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
Tuesday, May 19 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/3/31/Green_Wings_std.png)
Jin Air Green Wings vs SBENU ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/a/a1/SBENUlogo_std.png)
Rogue < Expedition Lost > DongRaeGu
Maru < Deadwing LE > MyuNgSiK
Cure < Coda LE > MMA
sOs < Echo LE > Bomber
Ace:
Vaani Research Station
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/d/da/Rolsterlogo_std.png)
KT Rolster vs Prime ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/8/84/Primelogo_std.png)
TY < Expedition Lost > YoDa
Flash < Deadwing LE > MacSed
Zest < Coda LE > Creator
Life < Echo LE > KeeN
Ace:
Vaani Research Station
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
2015 Proleague/Round 3/Round RobinMonday, May 18 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
Solar < Deadwing LE > GuMihoReality < Echo LE > YongHwaDear < Expedition Lost > LosiraBrAvO < Coda LE > MarineKingAce:
Cactus Valley LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Solar - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/4797_Solar">Solar</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="GuMiho - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2106_GuMiho">GuMiho</a>
Record 1-9 (53rd) 0-0
Last 10 llllllwlll ----------
ZvT 0-1 (51st) 0-0
Last 5 ----l -----
<a target="_blank" title="Deadwing LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/672_Deadwing%20LE">Deadwing LE</a> 0-1 (26th) 0-0
(ZvT 1-1)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Reality - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/712_Reality">Reality</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="YongHwa - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2062_YongHwa">YongHwa</a>
Record 2-2 (36th) 7-4 (16th)
Last 10 ------wwll wwwwlwllwl
TvP 0-1 (52nd) 2-0 (15th)
Last 5 ----l ---ww
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(TvP 1-1)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Dear - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/958_Dear">Dear</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Losira - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/688_Losira">Losira</a>
Record 7-7 (17th) 9-6 (10th)
Last 10 llwlwwwlll wlwwllwwll
PvZ 2-2 (16th) 1-1 (27th)
Last 5 -wllw ---wl
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a> 0-0 0-1 (14th)
(PvZ 1-2)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BrAvO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/689_BrAvO">BrAvO</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MarineKing - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/959_MarineKing">MarineKing</a>
Record 4-3 (22nd) 3-11 (33rd)
Last 10 ---wwlwlwl llwllwllll
TvT 3-1 (12th) 0-6 (67th)
Last 5 -wwlw lllll
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(TvT x0)
<a target="_blank" title="Cactus Valley LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/685_Cactus%20Valley%20LE">Cactus Valley LE</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BrAvO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/689_BrAvO">BrAvO</a> (0-1)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BrAvO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/689_BrAvO">BrAvO</a> (0-1)
Classic < Vaani Research Station > BbyongDream < Cactus Valley LE > ByuLDark < Echo LE > herOsoO < Expedition Lost > RagnaroKAce:
Coda LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Classic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/680_Classic">Classic</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Bbyong - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/638_Bbyong">Bbyong</a>
Record 7-2 (15th) 8-7 (14th)
Last 10 -wlwwwwlww wllwlwlwlw
PvT 2-0 (15th) 2-2 (19th)
Last 5 ---ww -llww
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research St... - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20St...">Vaani Research St...</a> 1-0 (3rd) 1-0 (3rd)
(PvT 4-3)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Dream - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2241_Dream">Dream</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="ByuL - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1097_ByuL">ByuL</a>
Record 4-4 (23rd) 14-6 (5th)
Last 10 --wwllwwll lwwwwlwwww
TvZ 2-0 (13th) 6-4 (5th)
Last 5 ---ww wwlww
<a target="_blank" title="Cactus Valley LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/685_Cactus%20Valley%20LE">Cactus Valley LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(TvZ 0-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Dark - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/4729_Dark">Dark</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="herO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/682_herO">herO</a>
Record 13-6 (6th) 14-5 (4th)
Last 10 wwwlwlwwlw wwwwwwlwlw
ZvP 4-3 (7th) 2-2 (17th)
Last 5 wwwll -wlwl
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(ZvP 0-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="soO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/634_soO">soO</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="RagnaroK - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/3498_RagnaroK">RagnaroK</a>
Record 8-4 (12th) 0-0
Last 10 wwlllwwwww ----------
ZvZ 4-0 (4th) 0-0
Last 5 -wwww -----
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a> 2-0 (4th) 0-0
(ZvZ x8) Best map (+2)
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Classic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/680_Classic">Classic</a> (1-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Bbyong - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/638_Bbyong">Bbyong</a> (1-0)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Classic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/680_Classic">Classic</a> (1-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Bbyong - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/638_Bbyong">Bbyong</a> (1-0)
Tuesday, May 19 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
Rogue < Expedition Lost > DongRaeGuMaru < Deadwing LE > MyuNgSiKCure < Coda LE > MMAsOs < Echo LE > BomberAce:
Vaani Research Station
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Rogue - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1099_Rogue">Rogue</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="DongRaeGu - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2627_DongRaeGu">DongRaeGu</a>
Record 15-5 (1st) 1-0 (44th)
Last 10 wwwwwwwwlw ---------w
ZvZ 4-4 (8th) 0-0
Last 5 lwwlw -----
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a> 4-0 (1st) 0-0
(ZvZ x8) Best map (+4)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Maru - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1850_Maru">Maru</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MyuNgSiK - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/4793_MyuNgSiK">MyuNgSiK</a>
Record 15-6 (2nd) 6-8 (19th)
Last 10 wwwwwwwlww lwwllllwww
TvP 8-1 (1st) 1-3 (37th)
Last 5 wwwww -lllw
<a target="_blank" title="Deadwing LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/672_Deadwing%20LE">Deadwing LE</a> 1-0 (13th) 2-3 (11th)
(TvP 9-4) Best map (-1)
Most played map (5)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Cure - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2031_Cure">Cure</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MMA - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/665_MMA">MMA</a>
Record 10-7 (8th) 0-0
Last 10 wlwlwlwwll ----------
TvT 2-2 (18th) 0-0
Last 5 -wlwl -----
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(TvT x0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="sOs - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1101_sOs">sOs</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Bomber - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/561_Bomber">Bomber</a>
Record 10-10 (9th) 2-1 (34th)
Last 10 lwlwwwwwll -------lww
PvT 4-1 (8th) 0-0
Last 5 wlwww -----
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(PvT 1-1)
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research Station - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20Station">Vaani Research Station</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Trap - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/618_Trap">Trap</a> (1-2)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Maru - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1850_Maru">Maru</a> (2-0)
TY < Expedition Lost > YoDaFlash < Deadwing LE > MacSedZest < Coda LE > CreatorLife < Echo LE > KeeNAce:
Vaani Research Station
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="TY - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/575_TY">TY</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="YoDa - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2039_YoDa">YoDa</a>
Record 3-5 (30th) 5-10 (21st)
Last 10 --lwllwlwl lwwwllllll
TvT 0-2 (63rd) 4-1 (8th)
Last 5 ---ll wwwwl
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a> 0-0 0-1 (14th)
(TvT x0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Flash - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/424_Flash">Flash</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MacSed - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2539_MacSed">MacSed</a>
Record 5-9 (20th) 0-0
Last 10 wllwwlwllw ----------
TvP 2-3 (21st) 0-0
Last 5 lwlwl -----
<a target="_blank" title="Deadwing LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/672_Deadwing%20LE">Deadwing LE</a> 2-1 (6th) 0-0
(TvP 9-4) Best map (+1)
Most played map (3)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Zest - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/977_Zest">Zest</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Creator - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2838_Creator">Creator</a>
Record 11-10 (7th) 4-8 (26th)
Last 10 llwlwwwlwl wwwwllllll
PvP 6-5 (3rd) 3-0 (12th)
Last 5 lwwww --www
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(PvP x0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Life - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2747_Life">Life</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="KeeN - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2242_KeeN">KeeN</a>
Record 9-8 (11th) 0-2 (60th)
Last 10 wllwlwwwll --------ll
ZvT 5-3 (6th) 0-0
Last 5 wlwwl -----
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(ZvT 0-0)
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research Station - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20Station">Vaani Research Station</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Stats - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/611_Stats">Stats</a> (2-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Zoun - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/5566_Zoun">Zoun</a> (1-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Flash - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/424_Flash">Flash</a> (1-1) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BBoongBBoong - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2308_BBoongBBoong">BBoongBBoong</a> (0-1)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MyuNgSiK - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/4793_MyuNgSiK">MyuNgSiK</a> (1-1)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="YoDa - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2039_YoDa">YoDa</a> (0-1)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Stats - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/611_Stats">Stats</a> (2-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Zoun - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/5566_Zoun">Zoun</a> (1-0)
Lineup Swapping Shenanigans
by Darkhorse
This week marks only the third time in the entire year that
INnoVation hasn't been in SKT's starting lineup. Incidentally the other two times he was absent the team picked up wins (3-0 KT in Round 1 and 3-1 Samsung in Round 2). For the first time since Round 1,
TY will get to play a game in Proleague. Since Life joined the team, TY has been relegated to the KT bench. Even when he was finally put in the lineup back in week 3 of Round 2 (the week where Life, Flash, and Zest were all at IEM Katowice), his team was 3-0'd before he got to unpack his keyboard. For this week at least, TY seems to have supplanted Stats as the "fourth man" of KT Rolster.MacSed is in the lineup for Prime, meaning that we will see a foreigner in Proleague for the first time in 2015. This also means that even Chinese players will be playing for Prime before we get to see ByuN again.MyuNgSiK appears to have gone back in time and landed in the lineup of a 2011/2012 GSTL All Star team.Match of the Week
powered by Darkhorse
SKT vs CJ Entus
Last month, CJ finally lived up to the potential that we've seen in them for so long and won their first Proleague round in Starcraft II (yes I know they won the hybrid Proleague season back in 2011/2012 but I think we can all agree that doesn't count). Overall, the team seems to be firing on all cylinders. Five CJ players qualified for Code S, and three advanced to the round of sixteen. At the same time, herO and Byul have both made the quarterfinals of S2SL. Finally, their ace player herO won the Kespa Cup and Byul finished in 3rd/4th. All in all, Coach Park has got to be feeling good.
Meanwhile, SKT has got to still be reeling from their fourth place finish in round 2. The fact that they were all killed by Stats in the playoffs has got to hurt, although I imagine they're getting used to being wrecked by KT Protoss players by now. Once considered to have one of the most stable lineups in all of Proleague, they have looked a little wishy washy on their roster choices recently. While the obvious choice is probably Dark, Dream, Innovation, and either soO or Classic, they seem to have some desire to experiment with their sixth player, Sorry. Now Sorry probably isn't that bad, and he has picked up two wins this year in five regular season games, but some of his lineup appearances have left me scratching my head. Last week his loss to Yonghwa left SKT dangerously close to losing their opening week match to MVP of all teams. Most confusing of all was the coach's decision to send Sorry out in the playoffs to try to stop Stats early rather than utilizing the veteran soO or the more talented Dream. This week they have cut out Innovation and Sorry, both of whom dropped their week one matches, and are going with Dark, Dream, Classic, and soO to combat the Round 2 Champs.
Kicking off the night is a match that has only ever been seen in SPL, Classic vs Bbyong. The two faced off three times in the 2014 season, with Bbyong getting the better of the SKT Protoss in two of those meetings. Their final confrontation was in the 2014 playoffs, where Bbyong completely embarrassed Classic with mech on Outboxer. Although SKT got out of that match with a win, it certainly was a blow to Classic's pride, and it would be interesting if Bbyong tried mech again.
Speaking of Bbyong's play style, he is generally regarded as an excellent TvZ player (hell, he 2-0'd Life in Code S last week!) but is a bit of a mixed bag in his other two matchups. He certainly is the type of player that would pull out a mech build in TvP, and with its past success against Classic mech seems like a decent possibility. Of course he may play standard bio or even get four bases before any units and die to a two base push! You never really know with Bbyong. Still, he is in the Ro16 of Code S this season so whatever he's doing seems to be working. On the other side you have Classic, one of the most standard Protoss players in Korea. He isn't a player that generally wows you with ingenuity or flashy plays, but is solid and consistent (and a Code S champ! I know you probably forgot.). Believe it or not, he is actually SKT's best Proleague player this year, with an overall record of 7-2. I think Classic will likely win this if Bbyong attempts to play completely standard, but he may get thrown off balance by Bbyong's odd play style.
Buckle up folks, this one is going to be good. Dream is one of the hottest young talents in Korea at the moment, and his TvZ is good enough to rival his SKT teammate, Innovation. I am already salivating a bit thinking about his S2SL quarterfinal against Life although I wish it could be a Bo7. On the other side you have ByuL, who has generally been very solid but has recently gone to a new level. He's beaten both Innovation AND Maru in Bo5s in the last month or so, reached the semifinals of Kespa Cup before being eliminated by his teammate herO, and is currently sitting in the Ro8 of S2SL, which is one of his best individual results in Korea. Both players are currently on big highs and are playing what is probably their best matchup. This is going to be fun.
Trying to predict the outcome of this match would be pretty foolish. All I can do is hope that this doesn't end in a baneling bust and we get to see what these two can really do.
Our third match features the battle of the aces, Dark vs herO. Now I know a lot of people will read that and think, "Isn't Innovation the ace of SKT?". I certainly would have thought so before this season started, but oddly enough, he isn't. He hasn't been chosen to play an ace match all year (while soO, Dark, and Classic all have) and his 8-5 record (62% win rate) lags behind Dark's 13-6 (68%), soO's 8-4 (67%) and Classic's 7-2 (78%). Although SKT does seem to be a bit of an ace-by-committee team, Dark seems to be their unofficial ace player just based on the fact that he has been in the lineup more than anyone else. Likewise, CJ will send out one of three players in the event of an ace match, but I think most people would agree that herO is their best player, especially post-Kespa Cup. Incidentally, CJ is undefeated in ace matches on the year (5-0).
Obviously, I don't need to go in detail about this particular matchup, considering we saw the two play a full length Bo7 in the Grand Finals of Kespa Cup about a week ago. herO walked away the victor, but after a long and hard fought series. Worth noting is the fact that this game will be played on Echo, a map that Dark won in the Grand Finals set after an entertaining back and forth game. Could go either way, but I have to give the edge to herO considering he was the victor in their last meeting.
Let's face it, this matchup is a bit of a come down after the first three. Still there is plenty here to interest even the viewers who aren't really into ZvZ. First off, this is the first time we will see RagnaroK in Proleague, as he has taken the rotating fourth spot on CJ's roster that is usually filled by Hush, Skyhigh, or Bunny. He managed to qualify for Code S by beating DRG, Journey, and Dear in a Bo5, but didn't win a game once he got there. In fairness, he did get a very hard group (0-2 PartinG 0-2 Dark WELCOME TO CODE S SON) but surely he was hoping to give a better account of himself. soO, meanwhile, seems to have gotten out of his late 2014/early 2015 slump for the most part. He still isn't back to that "four straight GSL finals best Zerg in the world" level but at least he qualified for both individual leagues this season and has a winning record in Proleague.
Unless we see a 3-0 on either side, this matchup will obviously either decide a winner or send the two teams to an ace match. It's interesting that they trust RagnaroK to bat clean up, and it's unfortunate that he is playing what is historically his worst matchup against soO who is playing what is historically his best matchup (according to aligulac). Still, I can always say, "ZvZ is a pretty volatile matchup, especially in a Bo1!" and dodge actually predicting a winner. Seriously though, it will probably be soO.
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