We have made it through the group stage of the Lock In Tournament and there haven’t been too many surprises. The elite teams continue to look elite and the teams we expected to struggle had a hard time keeping up. In our first day of quarters we see the a 1 versus 4 in 200 Thieves and Team Dignitas and a 2 versus 3 in Team Liquid versus Team Dignitas. 100 Thieves have been on a rampage through the group stage and on the other side Team has seen success in spite of roster issues. There is a lot at stake here as a series loss means you go home and winners move one step closer to the Lock In finals. Let’s dive in!

Series #1: 100 Thieves v Team Dignitas

Cann’s Pick:  100 Thieves (2-0)

Series #2: Team Liquid v FlyQuest

Cann’s Pick: Team Liquid 2-1



Fantasy Value Breakdown

Captain

Favorite: Closer (100: $10,800) Through the four games played in the group stage, Closer was tied for most kills (20) and did it while only dying 3 times. He is aggressive and is always searching for the fight. He played two games of Viego (a champion that he is known for) and two games on Jarvin IV. Both of these champions help facilitate not only his playstyle but also the approach 100 Thieves has as a team. If DIG doesn’t find a way to limit his impact on the game, Closer is going to get out of hand quickly. 

Value Pick: Johnsun (FLY: $10,800) 


Top 

Favorite: Bwipo (TL: $6,600) The biggest characteristic that Bwipo brings to the table for Team Liquid is his versatility. It is true that he will go a bit rogue at times (see his latest Rengar game) but his unique approach to the game makes opposing teams uncomfortable. They cannot come into the game with a generic pick and ban phase in mind and they cannot easily assume what he is going to do from minute to minute in game. His 2.0 KDA is more reflective of his deaths and not his participation in team kills (62+%). Riding the highs and lows with Bwipo from week to week will be exhausting but worth it when you get games where he takes advantage of opposing teams not being able to keep up with him. 

Value Pick: Ssumday (100: $6,400) 


Jungle

Favorite:  Santorin (TL: $6,800) I think Closer and Blaber have higher ceilings in terms of the mechanical skill for 1v1 fights. When measuring a junglers ability to influence the whole map and get their team to their win conditions, Santorin reigns supreme. He has a KDA 12.3 and a team kill participation rate of 64%. TL has an amazing objective control rate and it is because of the work Santorin puts in to secure vision and pull off high quality ganks. This will be a huge edge in this matchup.   

Value Pick: Josedeodo (FLY: $6,400) 


Mid

Favorite: Bjergsen (TL: $7,600) Early on in the 2022 season, you have to put Bjergsen on a short list of possible MVPs in 2022. He has only died twice in his four games and sitting at a 20.5 KDA  right now. The team plays through him (70% team kill participation and 20% team kill share rate) and he doesn’t make the big mistake. He plays toucouille who has been very middle of the road with 11 kills and 11 deaths in 4 games. I can see TL winning this tournament and that will be in large part because of Bjerg. 

Value Pick: Blue (DIG: $6,600) 


ADC

Favorite: FBI (100: $7,800) This is normally way more than I pay for ADC because there are plenty of times that an ADC gets put on utility duty which means they have a huge drop off of points. TL has two ADCs they have been splitting time between so the only real favorite is FBI. Neo has had a decent start to the tournament in terms of kills (13), he also has had an issue with dying (9). FBI on the other hand has 17 kills, 18 assists, and 5 deaths which puts him at a KDA almost 4 times better than the DIG ADC. 

Value Pick: Hans sama (TL: $7,400) ***TL has two different bot lane duos. This is a risk pick*** 


Support

Favorite: huhi (100: $5,800) Very similar approach here. As always, huhi has great stats that could be reason enough to pick him. When you add the fact that the other strong favorites are using two possible players in this position, there really aren’t too many other options in this spot. 

Value Pick: aphromoo (FLY: $5,000) 


Team

Favorite: Team Liquid ($4,800) Team Liquid is so incredibly good in the early game (3rd in the LCS) and they are always hyper focused on the neutral objectives around the map. They have an 88% control rate over the herald which directly leads to their 60% dragon control and their 100% baron control. I love this pick and I think if they can avoid a bad draft, my 2-1 prediction could easily be a 2-0.

Value Pick: FlyQuest ($4,600) 



Cann’s DraftKings Example Lineup

Captain (x1.5): Closer (100: $11,800)

Alternate: Abbedagge (100: $11,100)

Top: Ssumday (TL: $6,400)

Jungle:  Santorin (TL: $6,800)

Alternate: Josedeodo (FLY: $6,400)

Mid: Bjergsen (TL: $7,600)

ADC: FBI (1000: $7,800)

Alternate: Johnsun (FLY: $7,200)

Support: huhi (100: $5,800)

Alternate: Aphromoo (FLY: $5,000)

Team: Team Liquid ($4,800)